How to Look Good in Skydiving Photos and Videos

Lights, Camera, Action! Are you ready for your skydiving close-up? What’s that? You’re worried about how to look good skydiving? No need to fret. Lucky for you, we’re experts. 

We know those skydiving photos are going to be social media gold, and for your moment in the spotlight, you want everything to look just right. From what to wear to how to pose, here’s what you need to know about looking good in skydiving photos and videos.

It All Starts With The Right Outfit

By now, we’re sure you’ve heard the phrase “dress for success,” but you might be wondering what exactly that looks like when you’re trying to pick the perfect outfit for skydiving. 

In general, we have found the right skydiving outfit meets two criteria: colorful and close-fitting. 

When it comes to picking the colors you’ll sport during your skydiving debut, the brighter the better! Aesthetically speaking, bright colors help you to stand out from the sky in freefall photos and draw the viewer’s eye to focus on you as the subject of the composition. Alternatively, donning all black can work to highlight you as well. We suggest steering clear of earth tones or pale pastels to avoid blending into the background.

Close-fitting (but not restrictively tight) layers help to keep you comfortable during the experience. While it is more obvious that you’ll need extra clothing on a chilly day, even in the summer, you may also need to wear an extra layer. When the temperature is blazing on the ground, you may be tempted to skimp on clothing, choosing cut-offs or tank tops, but truthfully, it can still be quite chilly up at altitude. Thin, long-sleeve moisture-wicking shirts paired with athletic bottoms or leggings work best in the summer. If the weather is forecast to be cold, add in a base layer and a thin fleece on top. If you need a little extra chill protection on the bottom, you can sport a pair of thermals beneath your bottoms.

Tame Your Lovely Locks

Unless you really dig the Cousin Itt look, you’re going to want to tie back long hair. In order to look good in your skydiving photos and video, the camera needs to be able to see you. If long hair is left loose, it can completely obscure your face. Not to mention, it has the potential to hinder your instructor’s vision as well!

Consider either tying your hair back in a ponytail or securing your strands in a braid. Likewise, if you sport a long or particularly burly beard, you will want to keep your whiskers contained!

Ham It Up

Maybe an ironic, reactionless photo during freefall is what you’re going for … but in our opinion, your skydiving video is not the time for stoicism. This is the experience of a lifetime, feel free to act like it!

If there’s any time to really “ham” it up, it’s going to be during the freefall portion of your tandem skydiving video. 

First and foremost, during freefall, try to keep eye contact with the camera and interact! After all, this is your closeup. You’re the supermodel here, so feel free to dial up the diva meter. Blow kisses, spread your arms wide like you’re flying, give a thumbs up, a peace sign, an “I love you” hand signal, or all of the above. Trying out multiple skydiving poses gives you more dynamic photos to choose from.

Say Cheese

Alright, this one is crucial for looking good in skydiving photos and videos: smile! The bigger the smile, the better. At the most basic level, smiling keeps your cheek muscles engaged so that you don’t end up with flappy-faced skydiving photos. 

Smiling also has a slightly psychosomatic effect. Especially if you’re feeling a little overwhelmed by the skydiving experience, putting a smile on your face can actually help to spur your brain into fully embracing the experience. It’s a little like a “fake it ‘till you make it” kind of thing, but hey, if it works, it works!

We bet your friends, family, and social media followers can’t wait to check out your skydiving premiere, so don’t forget to follow our tips for how to look good in your skydiving photos and video! (And one more friendly reminder – don’t forget to tag us in your pics @wisconsinskydivingcenter!) Blue skies!!