Swimming Headshot Photoshoot with Leonard

The swimming photoshoot with Leonard was the final set of a long day. By the time we began, we had already overrun, and the sun had set. Still, Leonard was determined to commemorate his swimming sessions, which had been an important part of strengthening his legs during recovery. I wanted to honour that commitment and make this shoot a success.

The pool was dimly lit, and other swimmers were around, which made the setup challenging. I guided Leonard to the bank of the swimming pool, where I could control the frame more effectively. To overcome the low light, I mounted a speedlite on top of my camera. This allowed me to create a soft glow on his face without needing an extensive setup, keeping the mood gentle and natural.

At the same time, I adjusted the exposure to brighten the background instead of leaving it completely in shadow since I believed the environment was important as well. This balance gave the shot more depth and atmosphere. In the end, I was glad to capture a headshot that Leonard liked, right there in the pool, despite the difficult conditions