Day in the Life: Fitness Photographer

Hi! My name is Lucie Wicker and I am a photographer specializing in fitness photography. I work with all kind of fitness professionals; Pilates/yoga/barre instructors, fitness competitors, dancers, personal trainers, nutritionists, fitness models, and I also photograph gyms and studios in and around the Boston area. I started working with people in the health and wellness industry because I was (and continue to be) endlessly amazed by their discipline, determination, and their desire to help others achieve their own goals. I have been photographing the Boston fitness world for three years now and I am still inspired by my clients regularly. It’s a wonderful community to be a part of!

I recently moved from the loud, bustling North End to quiet, coastal Cohasset so my daily life has changed pretty dramatically. One of the big changes was moving my studio which I set up in the barn behind my new house. It gets great light and I’m so excited to be able to offer it as a location option to my clients!

Like most people Cara has interviewed, my days vary quite a bit from week to week which can be hectic but I love it too!

7:00-8:00am: Wake-up. My alarm clock goes off earlier but I usually press snooze button for a while. Sometimes I scroll through my Instagram feed to help wake up! I enjoy seeing how others start their day too.

8:30-9:00am: Breakfast. Coffee with almond milk and I’ve been on a cereal kick lately mixed with a little bit of granola and topped with fruit.

9:00am: Dog walk! I have an eight-year-old beagle named Apollo and our walk is a nice way to begin the morning and a good excuse to explore our new neighborhood.

9:30am – 12:00pm: Computer work. Answering emails (I rarely feel totally caught up!), social media (I’m especially fond of Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram), and scheduling posts on my blog.

12:00pm: Lunch! Now that it’s fall, I’m really enjoying veggie chili, specifically the Moosewood recipe from their latest cookbook. It’s hearty, healthy, and beyond delicious.

12:30pm: Photo shoot! Obviously the time I’m shooting varies quite a bit but I’m often found these days at my new studio in the early afternoon. If I’m not there, then I’m probably somewhere in the city or at a studio/gym shooting on location. It all depends on my client’s photo needs! I love how it is always something new and different. I’m also lucky to work with some fabulous stylists like Keely Witkowski of b.fetching (one of my main collaborators!), Jordan Wells, and Sadie Higgins. They are masters and I’m always glad when they are working with me on a shoot.

5:00pm: Exercise. I’m an evening exerciser. I wish I could wake up early and get it done right away but that has never been something I could stick too and I think I work harder later in the day. Lately I have been running; I am a complete fair-weather runner so spring and fall are my favorite times of the year to run and I usually sign up for 5 or 10ks to have things to train for throughout the season. I’m also a big fan of barre, Pilates, and yoga. Oh and now that I am so close to the water- kayaking!

6:30pm: Dinner with my fiancé, Seth. I like to cook over the weekend and have things that are easy to assemble during the week. I have been making a lot of things from the Oh She Glows cookbook by Angela Liddon and everything I’ve tried has been a winner.

7:30pm: I’m probably editing. People may think the bulk of my work is shooting and that’s true but I also spend almost as much time (maybe sometimes more) editing too! After a photo shoot I upload the photos right away so I can go over what I’ve shot and pick one of the best ones to feature on my Facebook page. I also upload the proofs to the client so they can go through them and narrow down their favorites which they then send back to me to edit. I’m always surprised how much time this takes but I really enjoy it; it’s another way to express my creativity. While I’m editing, I listen to podcasts like the Moth, This American Life, or the Story Collider. Editing is work but it’s also a good way to relax and unwind at the end of the day.

If I’m not at home, I might be at a networking event which I try to do regularly; anything from a blogger event to something I found on Eventbrite to a Sweetgreen passport class. I like the social aspect of these meet-ups and it’s a perfect way to meet other people in the industry. Plus some of them involve a good workout too which I’m always up for!

10:00-11:00pm: Bedtime. I’m probably out like a light!

Thanks to Cara for letting me share my story! If you’d like to connect, here’s my contact info:

email: lucie@luciewickerphotography.com

website: www.luciewickerphotography.com