After almost 18 months of several reschedules due to COVID and a foot injury, I finally was able to have a beautiful desert shoot with heavily sought-after and internationally known fitness photographer Sean Nelson. After our shoot in the dry lake bed in the southern Nevada desert, I sat down with Sean to dive into his fitness photography lifestyle and find out what it's like to shoot some of the most fit and beautiful women in the world! You can view our shoot in the links below our interview as well as how to find Sean to book your next shoot! #keepinitreal 

Bliss: How did you start in the fitness photography business?

Sean :It all was by accident actually...I began my career in video production. I ended up doing videos for parties for fun and that led to me picking up gigs on Craig's List and eventually finding a gig that wanted me to move to Vegas. I moved to Vegas as a video editor and that company asked me to teach myself photography and become their photographer…. So I guess it was about 5 or 6 years ago I started to teach myself photography and I’ve never looked back.

Bliss: What do you wish you could tell women? Meaning like, so many women are self- conscious, even the most fit influencers….what is that that you wish you could tell women and let that sink into their heads when you shoot them? Is there anything that sticks out? What do you wish every woman knew about themselves?

Sean: One thing is …body dysmorphia is a big deal...it’s a big issue…They need to understand that what they see in the mirror is really not what they see… and I am speaking on behalf of the influencers and the competitors that I shoot. They are around so much fitness and competition and getting in such great condition and they forget what it looks like to just be normal and healthy…. And the other one which is to the more broader audience is…No One is perfect, event the most famous fitness competitor that I’ve ever shot that have the most followers…they are not perfect…they all have problems, no one is perfect…everyone has insecurities ..I would just want everyone to know they when they try to shoot for the stars…wherever they think the stars are…it’s not that.

Bliss: What do you wish women would stop doing during a shoot? What bugs the crap out of you? 

Sean: hahahahah! I would say that the biggest one off the top of my head, is BE present, ENJOY the moment, GET OFF YOUR PHONE, stop checking social media and enjoy the moment. Everyone wants to go on their phone every 2 seconds…turn the phone off, spend this next hour just on the camera, on themselves and the shoot will end up amazing!

Bliss: What do you find most attractive about women?

Sean: The simple answer is their personality. I shoot so many women that look amazing but it’s the personality that makes people stand out to me. I can shoot the most beautiful person physically but they might be the ugliest person on the inside. For me, I really enjoy talking to someone who’s genuine, who’s present and just wants to have a good time!

Bliss: What is your favorite part physically to photograph on a woman?

Sean: I do tend to lean towards ab kind of shots…and I love creating shapes….if I can get someone to create shapes with their body…that’s fun!

Bliss: What do you love about your career the most?

Sean: I would say the top thing would be is being able to travel so much. That is something I didn’t do much as a kid. The second would be meeting people, I’ve had the opportunity to meet every type of personality, every career, lots of countries. I think it’s so unique to be able to work with Ukrainian models, Russian models and find each new perspective…it’s such a cool opportunity!

Bliss: Speaking of Ukrainian models….Inna Kens, the makeup artist who did my hair and makeup for our shoot is absolutely stunning and she did an amazing job! I hope you’re able to shoot her soon! She’s absolutely beautiful!

Bliss: What frustrates you the most about being a fitness photographer?

Sean: I would say the hardest part is relationships, dating especially with my career it requires so much attention that it’s really hard and to have to put attention on to so many other things. The traveling can also be a bit challenging... it’s not at 9-5 job…I’m working nights and weekends...sometimes long days as well….

Bliss: Who would you love to shoot that you haven’t yet?

Sean: Top of my head…. I would love to be able to shoot Hope Beel. I have been following her a while now …I am a big fan and would love to work with her.

Bliss: From when you started 6 years ago to now, how have you seen the female fitness industry evolve? -good or bad?

Sean: Well I can tell you that being a video editor for a fitness company for the last 12 years...it’s

changed a lot in the 12 years…I would say that the biggest change is how much more feminine it is. 12years ago I don’t remember so many female bodybuilders that were very feminine...now that’s what I see a lot of today more than I did 12 years ago.

Bliss: What about the new Wellness Division? What is your opinion and take on that? I hear both sides. People either love it or hate it.

Sean: I think it’s great. I knew it was going to be a very popular category. It gives women the opportunity to really work out their lower body. It’s no surprise to me that it’s become such a huge hit. I think the look is pretty awesome. I enjoy shooting that category and I see it overtaking bikini even.

Bliss: What fitness companies do you work for?

Sean: Desert Comet Productions- The company behind HerBiceps.com That’s pretty much what I have been doing for the last 12 years.

Bliss: What type of shoot would you like to more of?

Sean: Definitely Glamour shoots!!! A lot of people look at what I do and they immediately get intimidated because they see what I shoot and they thing to themselves, “I’m nothing like that, and I’m nothing like what he shoots” The reality is, I shoot everybody and I shoot a lot of brand new models who have no modeling experience whatsoever, The majority of what I shoot are in that category. So I think one of the biggest misconceptions is that some have would be that they have to be a model to be able to do a photo shoot. The photographers job is to take great shots but also educate the model, show her how to pose, direct her..so she’s not on an island by herself figuring out how to do this. So all those fears about being expected to do this and that…they should get rid of those fears. That’s not a how a photo shoot

works, my job to teach you and show you the way!

To contact Sean for your next shoot click HERE