Top 10 Most Memorable America's Next Top Model Photo Shoots

While the average girl might be skeptical of a landfill photo shoot in Orange County, it all made sense during cycle 16 of “America’s Next Top Model.” With a trip to Morocco in sight, the remaining contestants first had to demonstrate their ability to wear the graceful garbage couture of Michael Cinco. As photographer Nigel Barker articulated, some of the girls proved to be unpredictable wildcards, and given the circumstances, it’s not hard to understand why. But on the flipside, the strongest models embraced the unique, eco-friendly couture and set their eyes on the prize.

To succeed in an industry like this, models must put all their troubles behind them and break through that wall, so to speak. And in cycle 10, the contestants were stripped down raw for a wet shoot in the style of the off-Broadway show “Fuerza Bruta.” Photographed by Mike Rosenthal, this particular shoot highlighted models that struggled mightily with their approach. In fact, Claire took a literal headfirstapproach. Even so, the experience made for great TV, and the most successful women found organic and flowing ways to execute their poses.

After somewhat of a failed CoverGirl Clean commercial in cycle 14, the contestants reached… the dark side. For this gothic shoot, Tyra enlisted photographer Sarah Silver, but the group did not seem entirely thrilled about the focal set piece: a bathtub full of blood. But with the whiteout contact lenses presenting more difficulty than anything else, the women learned to feel the essence of the shoot rather than submitting to the inherent horror. And once certain contestants found their groove and embraced the professional guidance, they rose above the bloodbath and positioned themselves for a positive final judgment.

Early on in cycle 6, the contestants trembled with anticipation as a collective head-shave loomed before them. Alas, the group was not destined to have bare heads, although they did learn that bald ISbeautiful. After an extensive makeup process, each woman found different ways to enhance her look, while a select few looked more like extraterrestrials rather than top models. But therein lies the challenge when your facial façade is drastically altered, and with the addition of some Swarovski crystals, these models were bald, beautiful, and blinging. Well, most of them.

Near the conclusion of cycle 9, the models traveled to China and learned a poignant history lesson on the “Four Great Beauties.” And then came a literal wall, as in “The Great Wall of China.” This, in itself, can be stressful, and with Tyra Banks herself guiding the shoot, well, it was a telling moment. Posing as Mongolian warriors, the contestants mostly transcended their fear by figuratively crossing one of the world’s greatest pieces of architecture. Thanks to some helpful and creative direction by photographer Tyra, this proved to be one of the more successful shoots in “ANTM”’s history, and was certainly one of the most epic.

By the time the contestants reached the island of Crete in cycle 17, a giant bowl of Greek salad had to be conquered for a spot in the finale. And with the acclaimed Nikos Papadopoulos taking the shots, the remaining models didn’t exactly conquer said bowl, despite the striking and vivid imagery of the location. In fact, Shannon actually refused to mix it up in lingerie. But when in Greece, one does not simply avoid the Greek salad. And when it was all said and done, the elimination was a relatively easy decision.

In one of the more controversial shoots of “Top Model” history, the six remaining contestants of cycle 13 embraced different cultures of the world. In the spirit of mixed heritage women like Hawaiian hapas, each model was assigned two specific races. And while this may sound questionable to some, Tyra’s “fashion interpretation” offered a unique experience for both models and viewers alike. And though Nicole managed to capitalize on the moment, the episode raised important questions about creativity on “Top Model”, as the shoot was undeniably original to the show but still rooted in “black face” – and wasn’t the first time they’d tried on different ethnicities.

Just over halfway through cycle 3, the relatively young reality series presented a serious obstacle for the “American’s Next Top Model” beauties. And no, it wasn’t the Verragio Diamonds. It was the live tarantula, of course, as even the most focused of models would, or should, be concerned about a gigantic furry spider draped across their face. But hey, Toccara showed little fear. However, it was she that was eventually sent packing while the frightened Eva went on to win the entire competition. Shot by Bill Diodato, this photo shoot showed potential contestants what they might have to overcome and endure.

With only seven contestants left in cycle 4, the girls were to convey the 7 Deadly Sins in an 8-foot grave under the direction of photographer Johann Wolf. And in the process, one particular model received some distressing news. Forced to confront the death of her friend AND a cemetery photoshoot, Kahlen overcame the adversity and produced one of the more unique shots in the series’ history. And though the creative aesthetic was a bit creepy, it was Kahlen’s perseverance that made this a most unforgettable photo shoot, with “Wrath” looming over the entire production.


Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Steampunk Fashion
“The Girl Who Gets Pwn’d”

Bullfighting in Spain
“The Girl Who Grates”

Hello Kitty Couture
“Georgina Chapman”

Exotic Birds
“Take Me To The Jungle”

Martial Artists
“Petite Ninja Warriors”


Maple Syrup
“Beverly Johnson”

In the first cycle of “America’s Top Model,” there was literally no series precedent for the contestants to study. And so, when photographer Troy Ward referenced a special guest model, the girls probably anticipated a human being rather than a collection of slimy and slithering snakes. For the most part, the shoot turned out well, but this was a telling moment as the series progressed forward. Because if an aspiring model can’t handle a snake among a team of professionals, she or he probably can’t handle the business as a whole, and certainly not as America’s next top model.