A World of Bikinis

As a photographer, I had the unique opportunity to travel to stunning destinations in Mexico, such as Cabo, Puerto Vallarta, and Cancun, to shoot swimwear for my portfolio and compete in competitions with Ujena Swimwear. These experiences were not only a great way to improve my skills and showcase my work, but they were also a lot of fun. Recently, I came across some images I took during my trip to Cabo in 2008, and I thought the audience would love enjoy them.

One of the most memorable shoots I’ve ever had was when I had the chance to work with a group of amazing women from Guadalajara, Mexico. We rushed down to the beach just in time to capture the sunset, and the resulting photos are some of my all-time favorites. Even though it’s been a few years since that shoot, I still keep in touch with a few of these wonderful ladies on Facebook, and it’s been so great to see them start families and embark on new journeys. Life has a way of changing so quickly, but looking back on this fun memory always brings a smile to my face.

As the sun began to set on the beautiful beach in Cabo, we were coming to the end of our week of shooting. But even at this late stage, the ladies were still all smiles and having a fantastic time.

However, let’s rewind to the beginning of the adventure and see how it all came together. The anticipation and excitement when traveling to Mexico is always palpable, and this trip was no different.

After a whirlwind three days of shooting, we had visited the stunning towns of Todos Santos and San Jose del Cabo, capturing a variety of fashion and bikini shots against some truly great backgrounds like this one of Paty and Caro below.

With approximately 30 models and about 10 photographers, it was a busy and exciting time. But out of all the talented ladies I had the pleasure of working with, my personal favorites were these five dynamic women. They brought such energy and enthusiasm to every shot, and it was an absolute joy to collaborate with them.

Paty had a fierce and determined look in her eyes, even when the sun was in her face and making it difficult to see. Despite the challenges, she remained a true professional throughout the shoot, always delivering beautiful and striking photographs.

We found a building that was still being built and I really love how this photo of Caro came out.

During our time in Todos Santos, we were fortunate to have the opportunity to shoot near and around the iconic Hotel California. The area was full of charming buildings and picturesque courtyards, providing the perfect backdrop for our photoshoot like this photo of Kae Kae.

It was a truly unique and beautiful location that added so much character to our images and I couldn’t resist asking Aurora to grab the wheelbarrow.

This type of work requires a fast-paced and dynamic approach to photography. With multiple changes in swimwear styles and colors throughout the day, it’s important to be ready to capture each look as it happens. Additionally, finding the right backgrounds to complement the shots is crucial. These factors all came together during the first few days of shooting with these and other talented models, resulting in some truly stunning images. The photos below are just a small selection of the beautiful shots we were able to capture during that time.

Out of all the swimwear photos I’ve taken over the years, the middle one of Edna stands out as my absolute favorite. The midday sun made shooting a bit challenging, but I knew I wanted to capture the perfect shot. So, I asked Edna to run down the beach multiple times, and it took about 15 tries before I was finally satisfied with the result. As soon as I saw this photo on my camera, I knew it was the one. Everything from the water droplets freezing in mid-air, to Edna’s hand placement, flowing hair, and natural smile, came together perfectly. Her eyes were focused on me, and the result is a truly breathtaking image.

But getting back to our time in Todos Santos. As our time in drew to a close, we had attracted quite a crowd of local spectators who were enjoying watching us work. The town had a charming, authentic Mexican village feel, with dirt roads and a laid-back atmosphere.

As we were packing up to leave, a group of young boys approached us and asked for the models’ autographs. It was a sweet and heartwarming moment that brightened everyone’s day. After a fun and successful photoshoot, we all headed back to the hotel in Cabo, feeling happy with the results of everyone’s efforts.

On the following day, we were working hard to get as many shots as possible before the end of the shoot. I asked the group of five ladies if they would meet me down at the beach before our farewell dinner that evening. I wanted to get them all together one last time for a special shoot before our time together was over. It was a wonderful opportunity to capture some final memories and say goodbye in style.

The ladies quickly changed and headed down to the beach to meet me. I had them pose on top of some Wave Runners that were parked near the hotel, creating a fun and energetic setting for our final shoot.

As a photographer, it’s important to be just as prepared as the models. This means having not only the necessary camera equipment, but also additional props and accessories to enhance the overall look of the photos. On this particular shoot, I made sure to bring along a bag of costume jewelry, which the ladies were happy to accessorize with. For the next 45 minutes or so, we had a blast shooting and playing around with different looks and styles.

Our good friend Danny Kosh was on hand to film the entire shoot for Ujena TV. It would be great to see some of the footage from that day and relive the memories. I should reach out to Ujena Owner Bob Anderson and see if there is any available for me to view.

At one point during the shoot, I asked Paty to lay down in the water for a dramatic shot. Just as she got into position, a massive wave came crashing in, completely drenching her and covering her in sand. I’m sure she was thinking about our final dinner that evening and the challenge of getting cleaned up in time.

Despite the unexpected surprise, she remained a a professional and we were able to capture some truly memorable shots.

Before long, all of the ladies were in the water and having a blast. However, as the sun began to set, it was time to wrap things up.

But before we called it a day, we needed some final shots were a great way to cap off a fantastic shoot and remember all of the fun we had.

I even jumped in front of the camera for a quick photo with Danny. As you can see, I wasn’t afraid to get wet and was all smiles, enjoying every moment of the shoot.

All good things must come to an end, but the memories of working with Paty, Caro, Yamile, Edna, and Kani, five stunning models from Guadalajara, Mexico, will always stay with me. It was a pleasure to collaborate with these talented and beautiful women. I will always look back on this experienceI realize that it was the last time I had the opportunity to shoot on the beautiful beaches of Mexico.

While it may not be the last photoshoot I’ll ever do, it will always hold a special place in my heart as a unique and unforgettable experience. Below are some of the “Keeper” photos, but it was more of a frolicking in the surf type of adventure.