Pinder was spotted by freelance photographer Lee Earle while sunbathing on Bournemouth beach in the summer of 2003; as a result of the photographs taken that day, she signed a professional modeling contract with The Daily Star. In the 2005 UK edition of the FHM 100 Sexiest Women in the World Lucy was a new entry in the poll and finished 16th overall. She appeared at 35th place in the 2006 poll. She dropped to 92nd position in the 2007 poll, after receiving very little coverage in EMAP-owned magazines such as FHM. Early in her career, unlike most glamour models, Pinder did not initially pose fully topless; she eventually did so for the weekly UK lads' mag Nuts on the 6th of April 2007. This was followed with a nude photo set in the August 2007 issue of the monthly magazine Loaded. She also appeared Page 3 in July and August for The Daily Star on a weekly basis. It has been confirmed that she has re-signed with The Daily Star and also signed a 6 month exclusive topless contract with Nuts.