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Ray Urner, an internationally acclaimed and award-winning photographer based in Vancouver, Canada, has been a game-changer in the world of fitness photography since 2012. His journey began alongside his wife Mandy, who competed in her first-ever figure competition that same year, sparking his passion for capturing the dedication and artistry behind bodybuilding.As a sanctioned photographer with the Canadian Physique Alliance, Ray%u2019s work is known for its creativity, delivering athletes images they won%u2019t find anywhere else. His approach is more than just professional%u2014it%u2019s personal. As an active competitor himself, Ray truly understands the level of sacrifice and commitment his clients bring to the table, making him uniquely attuned to their needs.Ray%u2019s portfolio includes collaborations with top industry icons like IFBB Pros Big Ramy and Ashley Kaltwasser, along with powerlifting legend CT Fletcher. His friendly and easy-going personality makes each photoshoot both enjoyable and memorable.For a glimpse into Ray%u2019s world and more of his standout work, follow him at @RayUrnerFitness!What inspired you to specialize in fitness photography?Honestly it wasn%u2019t even on my radar until my wife Mandy competed in her first show in 2012, so it kind of just fell into my life!What kind of preparation do you recommend for clients before a fitness shoot?I know it sounds clich%u00e9, but really%u2014just prepare to have fun! Most of these shoots happen around competition time, so clients are already in peak shape and photoshoot-ready. The bulk of the prep work has already been done. My key advice: make sure your clothes are fresh and not from 20 years ago! You%u2019d be surprised what some people show up with.What are some common mistakes people make during fitness photo sessions?Many people, especially first-timers, underestimate how physically demanding these shoots can be. If it%u2019s a training shoot, you%u2019re training hard. If it%u2019s more of a posing style shoot, competitors know how tough holding those poses can be. Don%u2019t expect to just stand there and smile%u2014you%u2019ll definitely earn that post-shoot burger and fries!How do you approach capturing movement and action shots?I usually watch the athlete%u2019s first set to see where their body looks its most impressive. From there, I know exactly at what point of the movement we need to capture to get the best results.How do you handle retouching while maintaining a natural look?It%u2019s actually quite simple and not too different from standard portrait work. Most of our retouching is for artistic effect and polish%u2014we%u2019re not adding muscles or altering body shapes. However, if there%u2019s something that could distract from the final image (like a pimple or a bit of %u201cmuffin top%u201d from a tough pose), we%u2019ll clean that up.Can you share some tips for posing that highlight different muscle groups?Most athletes know their strongest and weakest poses since they%u2019ve (hopefully) spent the last 16 weeks practicing in front of a mirror. My job is to light them in a way that enhances those poses. It%u2019s all about working the highlights and shadows! One simple photographer hack: whatever muscle we%u2019re highlighting is placed closest to the lens to make it appear bigger.What kind of background or setting do you prefer for fitness shoots?I absolutely love shooting in epic natural settings. If an athlete is up for an outdoor adventure, that%u2019s where we really shine. Being in the Pacific Northwest, we have it all%u2014mountains, waterfalls, rivers, beaches, and that classic beautiful West Coast sunset. Of course, every athlete also needs solid gym shots, and we do plenty of studio work for that classic magazine look.74 MOST MAGAZINE - ISSUE 51