Cheerleader Photo Shoot Ideas

There are a countless number of themes, concepts and approaches you can use for cheerleader photo shoots. Whether the pictures are of individual cheerleaders or the whole squad, the best photos are ones that showcase their particular spirit and skills. Creating your own scenery or special backdrop is another unique way to make the pictures one of a kind.

  1. Action and Motion Pictures

    • Since cheerleaders are known to get the crowd going during their performances, take pictures while they’re in their element. Capture them cheering at a game, chanting, tumbling, dancing, doing jumps, throws, pyramids and other stunts. You can also have the squad perform a routine in slow motion, pausing during particular moves when they’re completely in sync. These types of photos illustrate their precision, unity and talent. Photos where the team executes building formations (such as the pyramid) and stunts are a great way to showcase both the mental and physical aspects that cheerleading is developed on.

    Team Spirit Snapshots

    • Consider photographing the cheerleaders alongside the teams they cheer for or with the school’s mascot. Shots of them during a game or pep rally are ideal; you’ll be able to capture the fans and audience in the background while they execute the routines. You can also take pictures of the cheerleaders in rows, in shaped formations and holding signs or letters. Use the signs and letters to spell out the name of their squad or school, spirit-related words and more.

    Individual Pictures and Backgrounds

    • As noted on Arizona Sport Shots, for the individual photos, a cheerleader is photographed by themselves in a standard pose along with several custom poses of their choice. For example, the cheerleader could do the traditional one hand on the hip pose, kneel with their pompoms in front of her, and do a heel stretch, a split or a scorpion pose.
      Try creating your own decorative backdrop for the photo shoot, instead of using ones that are plain and customary. As a team or individually, the cheerleaders can create their own poster, banner or sign. Decorate the space with streamers and balloons that are in the team’s colors and print out cheerleading-themed clip art. Glue the pictures onto stock paper, poster board or cardboard, and have each cheerleader write and decorate her own megaphone and related graphics.