Case study: Beauty Contest Portfolio Photography - Miss Swimwear Preparation Shoot

A comprehensive case study demonstrating professional beauty contest portfolio photography across multiple locations.

The Brief

A client preparing for the Miss Swimwear beauty contest needed a professional portfolio demonstrating poise, styling, and presentation for competition entry. The shoot required multiple swimwear changes, the official Miss Swimwear branded robe, and two distinct locations to showcase versatility.

Primary Location: Gym Studio Session

The main portfolio shoot took place over two hours at a gym in Brentwood, providing a clean, professional environment with controlled lighting. This location allowed for:

• Multiple swimwear changes with privacy

• Variety of backgrounds and settings

• Professional studio lighting setup

Technical Approach - Gym Session

I used a softbox as the key light for even, flattering illumination that works particularly well for swimwear photography where skin tone and body definition need careful balance. A reflector filled shadows, creating the polished, professional look required for beauty contest judging. A hairlight provided definition and separation.

The grey backdrop provided clean, versatile images that keep focus on the model's presentation and styling - essential for competition portfolios where judges assess poise and confidence.

Supporting Location: Nail Salon Shoot

A 45-minute session at a local nail salon sponsor added variety to the portfolio. This location provided:

• Professional hair and makeup setting

• Sponsor visibility in select images

• Additional styling context showing preparation and professionalism

The salon sponsorship represents the kind of local business support common in beauty contest preparation, adding authenticity to the portfolio narrative.

Wardrobe & Styling

• Two distinct swimwear changes

• Official Miss Swimwear competition branded robe

• Professional makeup and hair styling 

• Posing direction focused on natural elegance and contest-appropriate presentation

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Post-Production & Delivery

Professional retouching maintained a natural appearance while ensuring images met competition standards. The process included:

• Client collaboration on image selection

• Multiple rounds of retouching revisions based on client preferences

• 25 final high-resolution images delivered

• Three-day turnaround from shoot to final delivery

The revision process ensured every image met both technical standards and the client's vision for her contest presentation.

Investment

Beauty contest portfolio sessions of this type, including two locations, multiple outfit changes, professional retouching, and 25 final images, are priced at £300. This includes the full shoot day, post-production, client revisions, and high-resolution files suitable for competition entry and promotional use.

Ideal For

• Beauty contest preparation portfolios

• Model portfolio development

• Swimwear and fashion photography

• Professional headshots and full-length portraits

• Social media posts

Based in Brentwood, Essex, I work with clients across the region for professional portrait and beauty photography.

Contact me iandavidsonservices17@gmail.com