Commercial Photography Shoot – Action Fitness, Teesside

I recently spent some time photographing an all new gym, Action Fitness in Teesside.

I’ve worked with marketing manager Frances before and there’s an existing level of trust there, so rather than turning up to a rigid brief or a fixed shot list, I was given the freedom to work the space. I had access outside of peak hours, time to walk around, see how the lighting changed from one area to the next, and figure out what angles and details were really worth leaning into, while Frances went about her day leaving me to get on with it. 

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Even without anyone training and working alone in complete silence, the gym has a strong presence. It’s dark in places, punchy in others, with loads of texture and contrast built into the space already. You can tell straight away it’s designed for proper training, but it still feels welcoming and well thought out. I can only imagine how motivating it is when the classes are packed out and the music is blasting! 

There were no models involved in this shoot, which pushed the focus fully onto the environment. That suited the space perfectly. Rather than forcing anything, I concentrated on showing how the gym flows, how different zones connect, and how much character there is once you start paying attention to the details.

I used slower shutter speeds and intentional camera movement in parts of the shoot to introduce a sense of motion. The aim was always to let the gym speak for itself while creating a feeling of energy.

The lighting at Action Fitness is a gift from a photography point of view. Strong highlights, deep shadows, and plenty of atmosphere to work with. From the start, the plan was to embrace that rather than tame it. I hugely enjoyed this shoot. Sometimes your role as a photographer is to create interest where there isn’t much to work with, but here the space already had so much energy that it was easy to get stuck in and experiment.

In the edit, I leaned into contrast, kept the shadows rich, and focused on enhancing what was already there. Everything was processed in Adobe Lightroom, with the goal of producing images that feel bold, energetic and true to the space.

The result is a set of images that reflect how Action Fitness actually feels when you’re there.... focused, high-energy, and built for people who take their training seriously, while still being friendly and approachable.

About Action Fitness

Action Fitness is a Teesside-based gym built around strong coaching, proper training, and a genuine sense of community. They offer a wide range of sessions, including strength and conditioning, boxing, high-intensity training and small group classes, all delivered in a space that clearly takes pride in what it offers.

It’s a gym that works for a wide range of people, from those just getting started to experienced athletes pushing performance goals. That balance between approachability and high standards is a big part of what makes the space work so well.

You can find out more about them here:

• Website: https://actionfitness.uk

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/action_fitness_teesside

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/actionfitnessuk

Equipment Used

For those interested in the technical side, the shoot was captured using:

• Canon EOS R6 Mark II

• Canon RF 24–70mm f/2.8L

• Canon RF 15–35mm f/2.8L

• Manfrotto tripod

Having fast lenses paired with a solid tripod made it easy to experiment with slower shutter speeds and movement while keeping full control over the final images. A full frame body and a wide angle lens allowed me to capture the space in its entireity.

This kind of shoot is exactly why I enjoy commercial photography. When a business has invested in its space and has a clear identity, the job becomes about highlighting what’s already there and presenting it in a way that feels confident and considered.

I’ve been busy with commercial work since the start of January, and projects like this are a big part of that. More businesses are recognising the value of photography that feels specific, characterful and true to them.

If you’re a business or brand looking for commercial photography that celebrates your space and what you do, this is very much the kind of work I specialise in.