Behind-the-Scenes: 2007 Annika Cover Shoot

October 20, 2006, Lake Nona Golf and Country Club, Orlando: It was clear from the start of the day that weather was not going to be a factor for Golf Digest's cover photo shoot with Playing Editor Annika Sorenstam. Golf Digest Director of Photography Matt Ginella takes you through the day.October 20, 2006, Lake Nona Golf and Country Club, Orlando: It was clear from the start of the day that weather was not going to be a factor for Golf Digest's cover photo shoot with Playing Editor Annika Sorenstam. Golf Digest Director of Photography Matt Ginella takes you through the day.

With Annika scheduled to arrive at 8:30 a.m., the Golf Digest photo crew was on site by 6:30 a.m. to unload the gear and set up for the cover shot and accompanying instruction photos for the Jan. 2007 article that would become "How to Play with Consistency: Annika's basics from tee to green.With Annika scheduled to arrive at 8:30 a.m., the Golf Digest photo crew was on site by 6:30 a.m. to unload the gear and set up for the cover shot and accompanying instruction photos for the Jan. 2007 article that would become "How to Play with Consistency: Annika's basics from tee to green.

Senior staff photographer, Dom Furore, picked the spot on the 15th fairway of Lake Nona Golf and Country Club where he will eventually shoot the cover image. The 15th hole runs alongside Buck Lake, one of three lakes on the property.Senior staff photographer, Dom Furore, picked the spot on the 15th fairway of Lake Nona Golf and Country Club where he will eventually shoot the cover image. The 15th hole runs alongside Buck Lake, one of three lakes on the property.

We left dew tracks on the 15th fairway as we ferried the cameras and lighting equipment to the location that offered the best lighting and a "clean" background, hallmarks of Golf Digest's instruction photography.We left dew tracks on the 15th fairway as we ferried the cameras and lighting equipment to the location that offered the best lighting and a "clean" background, hallmarks of Golf Digest's instruction photography.

Golf Digest Fashion Director, Marty Hackel, prepares a number of outfits for Annika, selected from the Annika by Cutter & Buck collection.Golf Digest Fashion Director, Marty Hackel, prepares a number of outfits for Annika, selected from the Annika by Cutter & Buck collection.

The hair and makeup stylist was also ready.The hair and makeup stylist was also ready.

Annika showed up early, accompanied by her personal assistant and her boyfriend, Mike McGee. A former sports agent--and son of a former tour player--McGee was recently named managing director of ANNIKA, the umbrella company that handles the Swedish superstar's off-course interests.Annika showed up early, accompanied by her personal assistant and her boyfriend, Mike McGee. A former sports agent--and son of a former tour player--McGee was recently named managing director of ANNIKA, the umbrella company that handles the Swedish superstar's off-course interests.

As the makeup stylist does her work, Annika and Senior Editor Peter Morrice, who oversees instruction articles for Golf Digest, discuss the tips and drills to be photographed during the morning shoot.As the makeup stylist does her work, Annika and Senior Editor Peter Morrice, who oversees instruction articles for Golf Digest, discuss the tips and drills to be photographed during the morning shoot.

The tool that bends the eyelashes has always scared me. Annika didn't flinch.The tool that bends the eyelashes has always scared me. Annika didn't flinch.

No hair goes astray.No hair goes astray.

Dom Furore briefs Annika on the plan for the shoot. Golf Digest staffers work with a lot of golf pros, the best of whom--from Tiger Woods to Phil Mickelson and Ernie Els to Jack Nicklaus--provide instruction advice to Golf Digest readers on an exclusive basis. Like her fellow Playing Editors, Annika is incredibly "user friendly" and totally engaged in the process. They take ownership of their bylined articles in the magazine and want the words and images to be perfectDom Furore briefs Annika on the plan for the shoot. Golf Digest staffers work with a lot of golf pros, the best of whom--from Tiger Woods to Phil Mickelson and Ernie Els to Jack Nicklaus--provide instruction advice to Golf Digest readers on an exclusive basis. Like her fellow Playing Editors, Annika is incredibly "user friendly" and totally engaged in the process. They take ownership of their bylined articles in the magazine and want the words and images to be perfect

Morrice makes sure he understands the instruction point Annika is trying to make to the readers.Morrice makes sure he understands the instruction point Annika is trying to make to the readers.

To light her properly, we asked Annika to hit 5-irons away from the sun rising over Buck Lake and toward the houses on the other side of the 15th fairway. A collapsible mesh net is an essential item in our photographers' tool bags.To light her properly, we asked Annika to hit 5-irons away from the sun rising over Buck Lake and toward the houses on the other side of the 15th fairway. A collapsible mesh net is an essential item in our photographers' tool bags.

I was given Annika's baseball glove and a pair of her Oakley sunglasses so I could make myself useful by shagging her wedge shots. Dom Furore and I positioned ourselves about 50 yards away as Annika hit 20-25 wedge shots. I never had to take more than a step to catch one.I was given Annika's baseball glove and a pair of her Oakley sunglasses so I could make myself useful by shagging her wedge shots. Dom Furore and I positioned ourselves about 50 yards away as Annika hit 20-25 wedge shots. I never had to take more than a step to catch one.

Furore asked Annika to chip the ball at the camera. So she did. And after she hit the camera on the first shot, Furore asked Annika to aim just left of the camera. Much better.Furore asked Annika to chip the ball at the camera. So she did. And after she hit the camera on the first shot, Furore asked Annika to aim just left of the camera. Much better.

The screen was used to soften the direct sunlightThe screen was used to soften the direct sunlight

Staff photographer J.D. Cuban took "down-the-line" shots of Annika hitting a driver off the 16th tee box.Staff photographer J.D. Cuban took "down-the-line" shots of Annika hitting a driver off the 16th tee box.

Annika showed up early and stayed late, asking throughout the shoot, "Is everyone happy? Should I do that again?" We were happy -- and came back to the head office with this image of her for the January 2007 Golf Digest cover.Annika showed up early and stayed late, asking throughout the shoot, "Is everyone happy? Should I do that again?" We were happy -- and came back to the head office with this image of her for the January 2007 Golf Digest cover.

The January 2007 Golf Digest cover photographed by Dom Furore.The January 2007 Golf Digest cover photographed by Dom Furore.