Man's Photoshoot at the Sheraton in Leblon, Rio: Beach, Palms and Pool at Night

Photographer: Débora Oliveira

Shirtless man holding a green coconut on a beachfront deck in Rio de Janeiro

Photoshoots in Rio are not only for women. This session with a man traveling solo used one beachfront hotel, the Sheraton in Leblon, from daylight into the night, and the result is four very different galleries in one place.

We changed outfits and light on purpose: a light linen look on the deck and the sand, a black open shirt among the palms, black and white details and, at night, the pool and the deck lights.

The photos in this gallery are from my session with Osazee.

Linen, a coconut and the sand

The session started in daylight on the hotel's beach deck. Light linen trousers and a green coconut gave the first photos an easy holiday mood, with the palms and the building behind.

From the deck we walked down to the sand and the water line. Wide shots with the sea behind show how a hotel can work as a full location, with no need to travel far.

Black shirt, palms and black and white

For the second look we changed to a black open shirt and black trousers, and moved to the garden terrace, where the palms and the sea frame the poses. Dark clothes against the green and the white wall make the shape of the person very clear.

Some frames became black and white, especially the close and detail shots. Without color, the focus goes to light, texture and expression.

Night by the pool and the deck

As the light dropped, we used what the hotel already had: string lights, the lit pool and the deck over the water. A table with a drink gave a relaxed, candid scene, and the pool gave a few of the strongest photos of the session.

The last look was a light patterned shirt on the deck, with the lights of the coast behind.

Man in light linen trousers on the deck and sand of a beachfront hotel in Rio de Janeiro

Man in a black open shirt and black trousers among palm trees at a hotel by the sea in Rio de Janeiro

Black and white detail portrait of a man in black trousers and a pearl necklace in Rio de Janeiro

Man photographed at night by the pool and the deck lights of a hotel in Rio de Janeiro

Tips for a similar photoshoot

A hotel is a good location if you want to shoot without moving around the city: beach, garden, pool and night lights in one place.
Bring at least two looks with different tones, such as one light and one dark, so the gallery has variety.
If you want night photos, tell me early. We plan the time and the spot together, based on the lights available.
Check the hotel's rules for photography before your date. They can change, and I confirm them with you.