Energy. Movement. Focus. That’s what I set out to capture during this gym shoot for Body By Donavon at MV Fit in Baltimore. From strength machines to full-body circuits, the atmosphere was alive with effort and drive. Donavon’s program brings a contagious energy to the space—and I wanted the photos to reflect that same intensity.

We focused on capturing people mid-motion: lifting, pressing, pushing, and powering through. There’s a raw kind of beauty in those moments—when form and focus meet sweat and determination. I worked around the gym during both individual workouts and group classes, aiming to show real people training hard in a real space.

These images are going to be used across Donavon’s marketing materials—from his website to printed flyers and posters. So it was important to create shots that feel both professional and authentic, energetic and approachable. The shoot was fun, fast-paced, and full of good vibes, much like the training sessions themselves.

Gear and Lighting

For this session, I used the Canon EOS 7D paired with the Canon Speedlite 600EX-RT. Gyms can be tricky—there’s a lot of mixed lighting, motion, and reflective surfaces. The Speedlite helped cut through that, giving just enough controlled light to freeze movement while keeping the vibe natural. Timing the flash with movement was key to keeping everything looking crisp but not staged.

Shooting in this kind of environment always keeps you on your toes. But it also gives you the chance to tell a story in motion—to highlight the spirit of a workout, not just the poses.

Looking back at the shots, you can feel the effort. The strength. The grind. And that’s what makes this kind of project so rewarding.