As a former gym rat myself, I had always dreamt of photographing a bodybuilder. Luckily, Phil, our talented retoucher, had a friend, Eddie, who was preparing for a contest and gladly agreed to be our model.

To accentuate the incredible physique that Eddie had diligently sculpted in the gym, I shot the first set using edge lighting to highlight his form and musculature in a moody series full of texture and drama. For the second set of images, we opted for a more fashion-inspired vibe. Using a single bare-bulb light source against a white backdrop, allowed Eddie’s personality to shine through.

I'm unsure of how Eddie did in his contest, but what I can say is that he absolutely crushed it in front of the lens.