One of the BfL champs from the distant past used Aveda Clove condtioner in place of tanning. He always looked spot-on with it. Short hair or long hair pulled up shows more muscle definition in the back view. Clear pumps look awesome with a bikini in after photos (Jessica Mighty Max taught me that). Can you at least go to a stylist the day prior to the shoot? Oh, and personally, I will be pumping up before hand. Also, practice poses that you think you might choose prior to so that you are completely comfortable during the shoot. :D:D

Not sure how women prep themselves but for me it's fairly basic. I will hit the tanning bed (or real sun if it's warm) about 3 weeks before so I have some sort of base tan. I make sure I am clean shaven all over and then  I do a general upper body workout just prior to taking the photos so that my muscles are full and the veins are popping and well visible. I may put on a very light layer of oil....but not too much. That's about it for me. I think with women there might be a bit more to it with the hair and makeup though. Hope this helps.

Are any of you taking creatine?  I was advised to stop two weeks before, because creatine causes the muscles to hold water. I guess it takes about 2 weeks to flush it out.

Dee

I always tighten up on the caloric levels the last two weeks (less junk on Free day perhaps none),  shave(tough for us guys) and exfoliate inorder to get a better spray tan (if I go that route), get a hair cut (no styling for this short haired guy) and double check that photo shoot arrangement as well just to make sure all is in order for that day. (Yes I did pump up a bit just before as well to bring out a little more definition too). Hope this helps some.

Another good step is to whiten your teeth (at home is always cheaper than at the dentist, even if he gives you the trays to take home). :D Crest White strips and a killer smile, baby! :D:D

The clear stripper shoes really do make a difference!

I was somewhat dehydrated for my final pictures.  I cut down on my water all the last week, with having none the morning of my pictures and no more than 4oz the day before.  I drastically increased it in week 11 before making the switch.  What this does is to make your muscles "pop". 

I switched my eating in the last week to foods that have less moisture and I went more protein focused. 

I did a few jumping jacks before.  Some lift some.  Not sure if this helps. 

I got spray tanned and stopped taking my creatine 10 days before. 

You'll look great!

Thank you so much everyone! Great tips.

My plan thus far is this: Look into tanning 2-3 weeks prior. I am a ginger: Red hair, very pale skin, freckles, so I don't want to look unnaturally dark but a little color would probably help. Going to see my stylist the day before for a hair color touch-up and cut. Fortunately my hair is just down to my neck so I won't have to worry about putting it up; I throw in some styling mud, give it some texture and off I go. I may also get a massage, just as a "you made it!" gift and to try and loosen up some. Lifting beforehand is a good idea, and there are some stairs I can run up/down to make my calves pop a little more.

Teeth whitening, I never would have thought of that! Great suggestion MK-Wildcherry.

I will have to figure out ways to cut my water intake. I don't know if I'd be able to drastically reduce drinking as much as you did Jessica but will do what I can. I live in Colorado and the elevation + arid climate dehydrates you quickly enough on its own, but I could at least look at cutting down from my current gallon a day to maybe half that, and try to do less water-heavy foods like cottage cheese in the final days.

For eating I'm planning to start tightening up next week: Cut down on fruit, starchy carbs, ground meats; focusing on super lean protein and whole grains. Already not eating pasta, white potatoes, peanut butter, milk or dairy substitutes, or high-glycemic fruits. Doubling my vegetable intake and eating them as close to raw as possible.

Bill, I have enough trouble shaving and have been doing it since I was 12! I may look at getting waxed.

Still shopping for a bikini. Might go with one with a German flag pattern (I'll be posing with my BMWs). Will look for clear heels. Oh thank goodness for online shopping!

I have posted for photo shoots a lot, back when I played in bands and as a general model for photographer friends because they say I pose well, but this photo shoot has me feeling very self conscious already. I think because I will have at least 100 of my [mostly male] racing buddies there, potentially watching. Eek!

The way I see it is that you should feel proud instead of self conscious.