5 reasons why you should update your dance photos
Having your picture taken is an incredibly vulnerable thing. There’s lights, there’s a camera, and a million things going through your mind. Remember what poses you want to do, will I get good pictures even though I’m a beginner, I’m a confident dancer, but I’ve never done this before. I’m just rattling off a very small selection here but the point is - a photoshoot can quickly turn into pressure before you even step in the room, no matter how many shoots you’ve done. I see it happen even with the most experienced dancers. A huge factor is that dancers are incredibly connected to their bodies. I’m talking hyper awareness down to their fingertips. That kind of awareness in itself can feel overwhelming..especially during a shoot where you’re thinking of relaxing your face, pointing your feet, turning out - you get it.
On the other hand, that awareness contributes to a great final photograph. It’s worth noting that it rarely is captured on the very first try. For every compelling shot, there can be up to 3-4 attempts that lead us to that final image (no matter what your dance experience is). A simple example I like to use is Instagram reels: A beautiful painted masterpiece that probably took an artist many hours to complete is compressed into a two minute timelapse. You are only exposed to a tiny fraction of that creative process. Maybe they started over halfway through. Maybe they got really frustrated and had to walk away for awhile. Maybe they found it challenging or it was less challenging than their usual paintings. These are all parts of the creative process that you don’t see. When a photographer posts an image that is seemingly perfect, there’s a whole creative process attached to it.
When you book a dance photoshoot with me, it is never about perfectionism, it’s about creative collaboration and the preservation of the creative process.
Some of the most memorable moments for me in a photoshoot, are where we build it together. Your photoshoot should be a visual expression of your most authentic self. That’s why I say “You being you. That is art”.
I think there are a million ways to talk ourselves out of standing in front of a camera. There’s also a million reasons why you should be continuously updating your dance photos - and I don’t mean the obvious reasons, like auditions or new social media content. It can be deeper than that for some, and it certainly is for me.
For the sake of this post remaining reasonable in length, I’ll keep it to five reasons that focus the lens (lol) beyond the obvious.
Your growth
Aside from needing a headshot or portfolio images there are deep meaningful reasons to step in front of a camera. Maybe you’ve improved your technique, your performance quality, your flexibility, your musicality, or confidence. You’re ever evolving. Your previous dance photos captured a different version of you and your abilities. Updating your dance photos gives you a chance to capture where you are now, and that progress is definitely worth documenting.
Feeling empowered
One of the most common things I hear from a dancer after a photoshoot is “I was so nervous when I first got here, but I’m so glad I did this”. That is a profound statement and it always makes me smile. They say it with such an excited tone and we both can feel that they are now walking away with a renewed sense of confidence. Like I mentioned before, getting in front of a camera is vulnerable, but equally brave. My lifelong friend/incredible choreographer and studio owner Julia and I often talk about the concept of doing scary things, especially when it’s a career decision. Every time we choose to take on something that could be considered scary, it propels us forward.
I’m also just impossibly hype throughout your shoot. I mean it though - I think every dancer I create with is incredibly talented and I have never been able to stifle that excitement. When we get a great shot…sometimes I make weird noises/shriek. I’ve been working on it for years and I just don’t think I can change.
The backdrop is yours
Once a dancer brought up something really important in her testimonial after her shoot:
“I think when we learn choreo it is so easy to get stuck in your own head and compare yourself to others in the room, but with the photo sessions it is all about YOURSELF and feeling confident. There's something really beautiful and strong about realizing your own control over your body and how far you have come no matter where you are on your dance journey.”
This can ring true for some and I’ve certainly felt this before as a dancer myself. When you book a photoshoot with me, it’s about you. Maybe your photo session is about your growth. Maybe it’s about your empowerment, freedom, resilience after something hard. Maybe your new favorite thrift find needs a moment, maybe you’re just having fun.
During my last photo session, my dancer brought her Mother and she asked her “what’s the goal of this shoot?” and the dancer answered quite simply “to have fun”. It was the best answer she could have given because sometimes it really is just about letting go and enjoying yourself.
Creative collaboration is inspiring
I touched on this in the beginning of this post, but it’s obvious that what makes a great photograph is so much more than just clicking a button. Two individuals coming together with ideas is the foundation of a powerful creative process. The most successful and memorable shoots I have with dancers is when we share our ideas with one another. Some of my favorite shots have come from a dancer saying “I feel like I need to move through this”, and then they’re improvising on the backdrop. Now we have these incredible movement shots that are unique, never to be posed or recreated the same way again.
You don’t have to be an advanced dancer
This is a biggie because I have come across dancers who say they are waiting to get better at dance before they shoot. As humans there’s always a lot of focus on what we need to work on instead of what we can already do. You don't need a certain level of training, flexibility, or experience to deserve beautiful images of yourself. Yes, technique matters, and corrections are made to get the best photograph we can, but we are never striving for perfection.
Some of my favorite images have come from dancers who are just getting back into their training or doing a photoshoot for the very first time. When I shoot my dance sessions I love to tether during the shoot. This allows us to see the last image I take as soon as I take it. It’s helpful for the both of us during your shoot, but what I love the most about tethering is the immediate reaction dancers have when they see themselves. They are instantly amazed at what they can do, and they can do so much. This only inspires more confidence and more dancing.
My wish for you is to be inspired. Maybe you’ll have the confidence to do something new today, to create something even if no one sees or reads it. Maybe you will make some art with your one precious life in a very strange world.
I’ll be back with dance mini photo sessions at Studio 721 October 18th and I’d love to create with you. You can learn more info about my sessions or book here
