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Unhealthy political discourse may create an undesirable impression of the US capital, but its residents are deeply invested in a counter-narrative of healthier living. Over recent years, numerous wellness indices have ranked DC among the top 10 healthiest US cities, a sure sign of local communities championing a better quality of life. If you don’t believe it, the proof is in the pudding, as they say. Fitness photographers in Washington, DC provide one form of evidence via their portfolios, and we used our directory to locate seven of the best in town. They provide plenty of examples of huffing and puffing, images that could easily be part of your next photo campaign.
At Wonderful Machine, sports and fitness photography “includes anything relating to sports, games, athletes, fitness, or exercise [and] can be candid (action) or controlled.” Within this article, though, we’re paying attention to these photographers’ work within the realm of fitness, capturing physical activity in its everyday forms.
Within fitness photography in Washington, DC, Shawn Hubbard has crafted a signature style in which his images play out like an action movie. Even when he’s not photographing superstar athletes on or off the field, his aesthetic approach elevates ordinary people to similar heights, leaning on a dramatic use of action, emotion, and lighting to do so.
“Impactful images are made in the moment, or meticulously planned to look like they were. From the split seconds that define outcomes, to the fleeting expressions that can tell a whole story, I am committed to capturing and creating photographs that make a statement.”
Shawn’s clients include Target, Under Armour, STX, Red Bull, New York Knicks, Washington Wizards, The NFL, Baltimore Ravens, Green Bay Packers, XFL, Solidcore, Big Ten Network, M&T Bank, NBC, CNN, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Men’s Health Magazine, SHAPE Magazine, New York Magazine, Baltimore Magazine, and The Financial Times.
In some ways, Jonathan Thorpe’s photographic approach is similar to Shawn Hubbard’s. The compositions feature a cinematic sheen where subjects of all sorts are transformed into heroes and protagonists. Whether it’s a woman shadowboxing in the ring or a man getting ready for a sprint, intensity and gravitas are projected through each image.
However, Jonathan’s equally capable of photographing active lifestyle imagery with more subdued tones, as he has done for the likes of Lululemon, Pacers Running, and Alpen Bike. With these projects, his photographs make various fitness activities seem accessible to the everyday person, an ideal outcome for clients looking to sell products and services to the masses.
Jonathan’s clients include Adidas, Netflix, CBS, Red Bull, Lululemon, Coca-Cola, H&M, FOX, The Washington Post, DC United, Mekanic, Apple, BMW, VIP Alexandria, and many others.
Edgar Artiga makes photographing action look way too easy. From simple stretches to the tortuous burpee, his photos capture motion with every detail in sharp focus. The beads of sweat, the contraction of muscle, and the subject’s heightened concentration are all tied together, celebrating the minutiae of physical effort as he merges them into a cohesive composition. Edgar uses this approach while capturing different states of emotion in men and women, from determined and fiery to upbeat and happy. He’s capable of furnishing different tones to suit a project’s requirements.
Edgar’s clients include Muscle & Fitness, Washingtonian, STRONG Fitness Magazine, Onelife Fitness, Bethesda Magazine, Men’s Fitness, and many others.
Among our list of fitness photographers in Washington, DC, Christopher Robbins pays a large amount of attention to the gym. Crossfitters, powerlifters, and bodybuilders get a decent amount of love from his camera, as it documents their fitness endeavors while also capturing environmental and studio portraits. Across both avenues, he may utilize full color or strip images down to black and white, playing with tone as the campaign deems fit. Separately, a portion of Chris’s portfolio looks at kids taking the first few steps of their fitness journeys, whether it’s by lifting some light weights or going heavier with plates and barbells.
Christopher’s clients include Marie Corp, Getty, Us Weekly, Men’s Health, UPS, Citibank, Walmart, LG, General Mills, and many more.
Hanad Ali didn’t follow a typical path that led him to fitness photography in Washington, DC. For 20 years, he was in the adjacent advertising and marketing industries, on the other side of the client-photographer relationship. But to him, it’s a cheat code to a better career with the camera, giving him a deeper understanding of client requirements for commercial and editorial campaigns.
Hanad’s fitness photography overlaps with fine art and fashion. With his photos, action is in vogue, oozing style as people exercise with battle ropes or go for an outdoors run. Through an ethos centered on minimalism, his subjects are paired with clean, simple backgrounds to highlight their figure and form. And more often than not, this approach also brings the spotlight to their clothing.
A few of Hanad’s clients include AARP, Brooks Running, Fast Company, Freddie Mac, Lululemon, SRAM, Trailrunner Magazine, and Washingtonian Magazine.
Tina Leu is another one of our fitness photographers in Washington, DC with an unconventional career start. At first, she was repulsed by the quality of her friends’ and colleagues’ corporate headshots. So, she stepped in to do better. Things progressed from there, and today, Tina offers services across several photographic specialties.
In the fitness space, Tina’s images carry a bright and optimistic feel across indoor and outdoor settings. The general slogan? Exercise does good for both the body and mind. Her subjects, whether in the midst of a yoga stretch or a jog, reflect the light and airy nature of her compositions. She’d make an excellent fit for campaigns needing a sunny disposition, both literally and figuratively.
His work has taken him all around the globe, covering Super Bowls, The Olympics, Soccer World Cups, and more. Simon Bruty is one of the most accomplished sports and fitness photographers, receiving honors from the World Press Foundation, Pictures of the Year, the International Olympic Committee, and the Lucie Foundation. The London Observer also included one of his images in their list of the World’s 50 Greatest Sports Photographs.
Simon is exceptional at capturing unscripted moments of action, as a flurry of motion or through sharp, crystallized moments. The energy and excitement of sports and fitness are presented authentically through his images. It’s a style that has been applauded across the board, as his clients and awards will prove. While he certainly leans more toward sports than fitness, you’d do well to get him for your next gig!
These individuals represent distinct styles of fitness photography in Washington, DC. And depending on the creative requirements of your next campaign, we see you going in one of seven brilliant ways!
Further Reading
See more fitness photographers in Washington, DC through our Find Photographers page.
Learn about other types of photography on our Specialties page.