5 Ways to Make the Most of Your Dance Photos
You booked a photo session for yourself, took time planning your look, outfits, hair and makeup. You worked with your photographer on details, your vision, and ultimate goal for the photos. You got on site and had a fun experience being in front of the camera, and then you got your photos delivered! Oh happy day!
But once you get that gallery in your inbox, you download them, and… now what?
I find that so much of the time this is how it goes. You download the photos to your computer, they live in the download folder or maybe you file them into a folder on your desktop. You maybe even post a couple of photos to your social media and that’s about it. Does that feel worth it for you after all the work you’ve put into that shoot?
What if I told you there are ways you can make the most of your professional photos and use them to their fullest potential?
Having photos of yourself is a treasure. Reminder, it’s not vain to share photos of yourself. Be confident in the shots you captured of this moment in your life. You will never be the same as you were on that very day. Celebrate your growth, hell even when the photos are several years old you can still celebrate that version of yourself and their journey.
In today’s world, we tend to share and move on, share and move on. If you hire a professional to capture photos of you, it can sometimes feel like once you get those photos, you have to start planning the next photo session to keep up with the social media world.
Today, we will be talking about a variety of ways that you can utilize your photos to stand out as a dancer, mover, educator, and creative. There are ways that you are missing out on making the most of your photos to promote, celebrate, and share yourself with your online community.
Use for promotion
Promote upcoming shows you’re in, teaching schedule, gallery showings, festivals, workshops, etc!
Go in more depth - paint a picture
Do more than one post on social media
Use the photos for celebratory moments
Use to share about your life
Use to share exciting news
If you talk about your life on social media, use a nice photo of yourself - knowing there’s a bank of awesome photos stored on your computer!
Add them to your website
If you’re a dancer, mover, fitness professional, trainer, educator, or creative you NEED a website. No matter how simple it is. You need one. They’re affordable and can grow with you in your journey!
Have a gallery dedicated to your photos
Use the professional photos to elevate the overall look of your online image
Start a simple email newsletter
We all have those long lost family members who mention that they’re interested in coming to see an upcoming performance during your yearly visit around the holidays, but both parties end up forgetting to talk about said performance when the time has come. As genuine as they may be about wanting to see you perform, life happens and we forget to invite them or they forget to follow up and ask.
This is where utilizing an email list can be huge and a major time saver.
Next time you are with that family member, friend, former teacher, etc, ask them if they would be interested in receiving an infrequent newsletter update with information about your performances, classes, and life updates. They will almost certainly not decline this offer.
These occasional email newsletter updates are a great way to showcase the professional photos you now have. It showcases your professionality, your hard work, and dedication to your craft.
Print them!
Use the photos as a constant reminder of your hard work, drive, and growth
Give them to family! Family members love photos that they can show to loved ones and have hanging proudly in their homes
Tangible takeaways:Start with one of these ideas first. Once you feel like you have a handle on one, then choose another one to work on. Don’t try to utilize all of these at once. You will feel overwhelmed and likely end up not doing any of them.
Make a folder on your computer of your favorite photos of yourself (whether they’re professionally taken, are performance photos, or is a casual snapshot). Create a document and take note of which photos you could use for certain occasions, promotions, and the other ideas above. Make it a fun project when you have free time.
Remember that these are simple ways to start showcasing your craft. These ideas will benefit you in the long run and could aid in more opportunities and connections, will make you feel more professional and ultimately stand out by showcasing your unique personality!
