How Brooke Pilcher Turned Post-Show Exhaustion into a Futuristic Disco Fashion & Glamour Shoot in Los Angeles

Jean Paquingan
Dec 3, 2025
6 min read

Brooke Pilcher walked onto set in Los Angeles the day after she competes with that “I just gave it everything” look in her eye, part victory, part exhaustion, and a whole lot of “let’s still make magic.”

She’d just flown in from Australia, pushed through a whole show week, and now we were asking for one more thing: a sexy, edgy fashion and glamour photoshoot that could live on her Instagram, build her portfolio, and tell the story of her fitness journey in a completely different way.

And here’s the fun twist with Brooke: she looks like a total futuristic fashion dream, disco-inspired, sculpted, fierce, but between shots, she’s a full-on goofball. Joking, laughing, pulling faces, dancing between takes. The second she steps in front of the lens, though? It’s like flipping a light switch. Suddenly: supermodel mode. Locked in. Eyes razor sharp. Angles on point.

This is the kind of project we live for as fashion and glamour photographers, especially as a South Florida photographer flying into a new city like LA. New backdrop, same DSTNCT energy.

A woman poses against a white background, wearing a large red bow top, black underwear, lace stockings, and a choker, exuding confidence.

The Vision: Fitness Journey Meets Futuristic Disco

For this shoot, Brooke didn’t just want “pretty” photos. She wanted a visual chapter of her fitness journey, something that felt powerful, sexy, and a bit otherworldly.

Purpose of the shoot:

Fitness journey milestone
Upgraded model portfolio
Instagram content that actually stops the scroll

We leaned into a sexy and edgy fashion direction with a futuristic disco twist. Think:

Metallic textures and reflective materials
Hard lines mixed with fluid poses
Little pockets of neon and chrome-inspired tones, even in daylight
Strong, cinematic compositions that still feel social-media friendly

If you vibe with this kind of fashion-forward, editorial energy, you’ll probably love more of our fashion photography and glamour work.

Stylish woman in reflective outfit and futuristic shades poses outdoors on a sunny day, with a white fence and greenery in the background.

Woman in reflective boots, jacket, cuffs, visor, and white swimsuit reclines on a chair outdoors, exuding a futuristic vibe.

Woman in silver sequin top and boots, leaning on a wooden chair, wearing reflective visor glasses. Outdoor setting with stone tiles.

Person lounging on white chair, wearing shiny silver outfit and visor sunglasses. Background shows a white fence and greenery. Futuristic vibe.

Woman in a white swimsuit and mirrored visor lounges on a sunbed. She wears a sequin-sleeved top and metallic boots, exuding futuristic glam.

Woman wearing metallic mirrored outfit and visor poses confidently outdoors against a blue sky. White fence and trees in the background.

Shooting Fashion & Glamour in Harsh Midday LA Sun

Most photographers run from the harsh midday sun. We didn’t have that luxury, and honestly, we didn’t want it. Sometimes that hard, unforgiving light is exactly what you wish for in an edgy fashion look.

Turning “Bad” Light into a Bold Look

We shot in the middle of the day, when the sun is high and sharp. Instead of hiding from it, we used it as a creative tool:

Letting strong shadows carve out Brooke’s physique, perfect for a fitness-forward story
Playing with lens flare and reflective surfaces to add that futuristic disco feel
Positioning her so the light skimmed across her face and body, giving bold contrast rather than flat, safe lighting

It’s very much our style as South Florida fashion photographers, too: bold, punchy, and editorial. Whether it’s midday light on a Los Angeles rooftop or South Beach pavement, the goal is the same: make the environment part of the attitude.

Woman lounging on a patio in a black swimsuit, large hat, pearl necklaces, white gloves, and sunglasses, exuding a relaxed, elegant vibe.

Person in a black swimsuit and wide-brim hat poses by a spiral staircase. Wearing pearls, gloves, and sunglasses, exuding vintage elegance.

Woman in a black dress with pearl jewelry and sun hat sits on a wooden bench, crossing legs. Wearing gloves and sunglasses, in black and white.

The Gear: Sony A1 + Workhorse Glass

For the tech heads, here’s what we ran with:

Camera: Sony A1
Lenses: A mix, but primarily:
- 24–70mm GM – for environmental fashion frames, wide scenes, and those in-your-space portraits
- 70–200mm GM – for compressed, high-impact glam shots with background blur and ultra-flattering angles

The 24–70mm gave us room to play with location, movement, and Brooke’s whole look, outfit, physique, and environment, all working together. The 70–200mm was where the glamour side really kicked in, giving that polished, cinematic feel that works perfectly for portfolio hero shots and Instagram covers.

If you’re a model or influencer looking for a professional photographer for models and influencers, that combo is a killer setup, fast, flexible, and ready for everything from full-body fashion to tight, dramatic beauty frames. You’ll see similar energy in our portrait and lifestyle & fitness work as well.

Styling, Wardrobe & Tessa’s Magic Touch

Some of the outfits for this shoot were more involved, not just “throw on a dress and let’s go.” We’re talking pieces that take time: straps, cutouts, textures, details that need to sit just right so they photograph clean.

That’s where Tessa stepped in like the pro she is:

Adjusting fabric so it flattered Brooke’s physique and didn’t bunch in weird places
Managing quick changes so we stayed on schedule
Keeping the futuristic disco concept cohesive while still letting each look feel distinct.

A wardrobe that detailed can slow a shoot down if you don’t have a good system, but with the proper prep and a sharp eye on set, it just adds to the final result. That’s the difference between a basic photoshoot and something that feels like a real editorial fashion production.

If you’re planning something similar, think bold glamour, statement outfits, or branded fashion looks; our fashion and glamour sessions are built exactly for that.

Woman in white suit on rooftop, wearing a black necklace. Background shows houses and palm trees. Calm expression, black and white photo.

Woman in a white floral blazer and black stockings sits pensively on a balcony. Cityscape and palm trees in the background. Black-and-white image.

Woman in a detailed white blazer poses on a rooftop. Long hair flowing in breeze. Urban landscape in background. Black and white image.

Woman in a white floral blazer and black stockings poses on a balcony. Background shows rooftops and palm trees. Monochrome, elegant mood.

Woman in a white floral suit with a black floral necklace. She appears contemplative against a plain background, dressed stylishly.

From Goofball to Supermodel: Working with Brooke On Set

One of the best parts of this shoot? Brooke’s personality.

Off-camera:

Laughing
Talking trash in the most charming way
Making jokes between takes
Moving through poses and dances that absolutely will never see the internet

On-camera:

Jawline locked
Eyes intense
Posture strong but fluid
Every looks like a still from a high-end fashion campaign

That instant switch is something we love as fashion and glamour photographers. It’s also something we encourage during every session, especially for models and fitness competitors building a portfolio. You don’t have to “be serious” the entire time. In fact, usually the best shots happen with someone who can be relaxed and silly in between, then flip that inner star persona on when it’s time.

This is the same energy we bring to our South Florida projects, whether we’re working as a Boca Raton photographer, Miami fashion photographer, Fort Lauderdale photographer, or anywhere in between. The location changes, but the direction and on-set vibe stay the same: fun, professional, and confidently dialed-in.

Post-Competition, Jet Lagged, Still Crushing It

Now, add this to the mix:

Brooke had just competed the day before.

Not only that, she’d flown in from Australia. So we’re combining:

Travel fatigue
Competition depletion
A whole week of peak focus and stress
A shoot that still demands energy, expression, and presence

Most people would tap out. Brooke did the opposite.

She showed up clearly tired, sure, but the moment we started, she dug in like a boss. That’s where good directing and smart pacing matter:

We structured the shoot in blocks to help her conserve energy between sets.
We used poses that were strong but sustainable, not the kind that fry someone’s body after five minutes.
We focused on looks that made sense for Instagram, a model portfolio photoshoot, and future branding, so every ounce of energy she put into it went toward something useful.

If you’re a fitness competitor, bikini athlete, or wellness pro coming to South Florida for a show and want to build in a photoshoot, this is precisely the kind of flow we recommend. Hit your peak on stage, then turn that condition into editorial, glam, and lifestyle sets with a team that knows how to work with athletes. You can see more of that vibe in our lifestyle & fitness photography.

Why This Shoot Matters for Her Fitness Journey

This wasn’t “just” a glamour session. It was a visual timestamp in her fitness journey.

These images are going to serve Brooke as:

Portfolio content for agencies, collaborations, and brand opportunities
Instagram content that keeps her feed on-brand and professional
Proof of evolution, a way to look back at this season of her life and see how far she’s come

That’s the power of working with a high-end fashion and glamour photographer who understands both physique and fashion. It’s not only about looking good, but it’s also about telling the story of who you are right now, in a way that helps you step into what’s next.

And even though this shoot went down in Los Angeles, the same storytelling approach is exactly what we bring to photography in South Florida, from Miami Beach and Boca Raton to Fort Lauderdale and West Palm.

A woman wears an ornate beaded headdress and a reflective, patterned outfit in a black and white portrait, exuding a confident expression.

A woman with closed eyes and serene expression is behind a sparkling mesh veil. Black and white image with a prominent bright glare.

Ready to Build Your Own Fashion & Glamour Story?

If you’re reading this and thinking,

“Yeah… I want that energy in my photos,”

Then we should probably talk.

Whether you’re:

A fitness competitor flying in for a show
A model or influencer needing a substantial portfolio refresh
A brand or creator who wants bolder, more editorial visuals

We’re based in Boca Raton and work all over South Florida as a South Florida photographer and South Florida fashion photographer, from Miami and Fort Lauderdale to West Palm Beach and beyond.

Explore more:

See more of our fashion photography
Dive into our glamour sessions
Check out our lifestyle & fitness work
Ready to plan your shoot? Get in touch here

When you’re ready to step in front of the lens, goofy, fierce, jet lagged, or all of the above, we’ll be ready with the Sony, the lenses, the direction, and a game plan that turns your current chapter into images you’ll be proud to post everywhere.