6 Important Tips for Preparing for a Dance Photoshoot
A dance photoshoot is a major milestone for any dancer, whether you're a student, pre-professional, or seasoned professional. It’s a chance to capture your artistry, technique, and unique style in a lasting way. However, preparing for a dance photoshoot requires more than just showing up in front of the camera. Proper preparation is key to boosting your confidence, ensuring your body is ready for the physical demands, and ultimately achieving high-quality images that reflect your style, skills, and personality. In this post, I’ll share essential dance photoshoot tips that will help you work with a dance photographer to create stunning shots that stand out.
Tip 1: Plan Your Poses Ahead of Time
One of the most important steps in preparing for a dance photoshoot is planning your poses in advance. Now, it is up to each individual dancer how many poses they want to plan in advance. I work with a range of dance styles, levels, and planning types.
For ballet dancers wanting to capture photos for audition purposes, having a shot list is crucial. You’ll want to be able to photograph a tendu in second, arabesque (en pointe, flat or both), and any other poses that showcase your technique, like an attitude devant or battement a la seconde to showcase lines, or passé to demonstrate turnout)
For contemporary dancers, you may want to have some specific dance poses prepared that work for your facility, technique, and personality, while leaving a little room for play. A lot of contemporary dancers I photograph tend to spend about half of the shoot with prepared poses and the other half with improvisation and finessing moments from that improv.
Dancers can significantly improve the outcome of their shoot by reviewing and practicing dance poses before stepping in front of the camera. Think about the poses that best showcase your flexibility, strength, and artistry, and make sure to rehearse them so they feel natural. I highly recommend practicing not only in front of a mirror to really see the shapes and poses you create, but also video yourself doing these poses, then review the video in pause, looking frame by frame how the pose moves.
For ballet photoshoots, focus on clean lines and controlled movements like arabesques or sissonnes, while contemporary dancers might highlight fluidity and unique shapes. No matter your style, preparing a variety of poses will give your dance photographer more options to capture dynamic and visually stunning images. This preparation not only saves time during the shoot but also ensures you feel confident in each position, allowing you to fully express your technique and personality.
Tip 2: What to Wear: Dance Attire and Accessories
Choosing the right outfit for your dance photoshoot is crucial to ensure your movements are highlighted and captured beautifully. Opt for form-fitting clothing like leotards, unitards, or flowing skirts that accentuate your body lines and allow for full range of motion. These types of outfits help the photographer capture the fluidity and strength of your movements, which, of course, is key in dance photography. If you want to get funky with it, go for it! Especially for contemporary dance photoshoots or for creative photos. Need some outfit inspiration? Here are some outfit ideas for dance photoshoots of all genres.
For ballet photoshoots, be sure to bring your whole leotard selection. Your favorite leotard may look wonderful in studio, but may photograph in a way that doesn’t flatter the body as much as it does in person. Different fabrics photograph differently too. Velvets and other textures aren’t always the most flattering in photos, whereas slicker, shinier fabrics like lycra are more flattering. Consider the cut of your leotard too. Your photographer will help you determine which leotards will photograph better than others.
If you’ll be wearing pointe shoes, bring lots of pairs as well. You’ll be repeating certain steps likely on the same foot over and over again and it can quickly wear out your shoes. For both safety and for look, you want to avoid dancing on dead pointe shoes during your photoshoot.
Above all, make sure you feel comfortable and confident in what you wear. While it's tempting to follow the latest trends, it's more important to choose outfits that allow you to focus on your performance rather than adjusting or worrying about your clothing. Confidence is key to looking your best in dance photography.
Tip 3: Hair, Makeup, and Skincare
For a dance photoshoot, it’s essential that your hair and makeup work with your movement, not against it. Choose a hairstyle that stays secure, even during high-energy poses. Classic options like a slicked-back bun, a clean french twist, braids, or low ponytails are great choices that keep hair out of your face and maintain a clean, polished look throughout the shoot. If you prefer loose hair, make sure to add lightweight styling products to prevent it from becoming frizzy or unmanageable as you move.
When it comes to makeup, less is often more. A natural, minimal look works best under professional lighting, enhancing your features without appearing heavy or exaggerated. Focus on long-lasting, smudge-proof products to ensure your makeup stays in place during the entire session. A touch of foundation, mascara, and a soft lip color will keep you looking fresh without overwhelming your natural beauty.
If you are worried about doing your hair and/or makeup on your own, reach out to your photographer for recommendations on hair and makeup artists that you can work with the day of your shoot.
Lastly, skincare is just as important. Make sure your skin is hydrated and prepped before applying makeup for a smooth and radiant finish. Keeping your body hydrated with water and electrolytes, along with getting a good night’s sleep the week before will be beyond beneficial for your skin!
Tip 4: Warm-Up Before the Shoot
Warming up before a dance photoshoot is essential for preventing injury and performing your best. Unlike a dance class where movements are typically balanced between both sides of the body, a photoshoot may require repeating the same pose or jump on one side, placing extra strain on certain muscles. Proper stretching and warm-up exercises are key to ensuring that your body is ready for the physical demands of the shoot, allowing you to execute challenging movements with control and ease.
To help with your pre-shoot warm-up, consider using a resistance band like this one to activate your muscles before performing jumps and extensions. Resistance bands are great for targeting specific muscle groups and enhancing flexibility, and they’re compact enough to toss in your dance bag and pull out when warming up in the studio. Incorporating them into your routine will ensure your muscles are fully engaged and ready for those picture-perfect moments.
I also high recommend bringing clothing to keep you warm like warm up booties, a full zip jacket (that you don’t need to pull over your head, risking messing up hair and makeup), and cozy pants or leg warmers to wear while you’re warming up or if you’re taking a break from being on camera.
Tip 5: Communicate with Your Photographer
Open communication with your photographer is crucial to achieving the best possible results from your dance photoshoot. By discussing your expectations, favorite poses, and style preferences beforehand, you ensure that both you and the photographer are aligned on the vision for your shoot. At Lumosco, I prioritize building strong relationships with my dance clients to fully understand their goals. Through an initial client consult call, I get to know each dancer, helping you articulate your vision. Leading up to your session, I provide email communication, educational resources, and a dance-specific questionnaire to dive deeper into your style, personality, and objectives.
Collaborating on creative angles and lighting is also important. Certain poses may look best from specific perspectives, and together, you and your photographer can experiment to find the most flattering angles that highlight your strengths. Clear communication helps your photographer know exactly what you’re hoping to capture, resulting in photos that truly reflect your artistry.
Tip 6: Bring a Positive Attitude and Energy
One of the most important things you can bring to a dance photoshoot is a positive attitude and energy. Staying relaxed and confident in front of the camera allows your movements to flow naturally, resulting in more authentic and dynamic photos. Tension or self-doubt can easily show in your posture or expression, so focus on enjoying the process and trusting yourself.
Your photoshoot is also a chance to express your unique personality and artistry. Don’t be afraid to let your individuality shine through. Whether it's through a playful jump, a soft extension, or a bold expression, bringing your personal style and energy to the session will make your photos stand out and truly reflect who you are as a dancer.
Make the Most of Your Dance Photoshoot
Just like rehearsing for a performance, preparation is key to capturing stunning dance photos that showcase your skill, artistry, and personality. From planning your poses and choosing the right outfit to warming up and communicating with your photographer, every detail contributes to the success of your photoshoot. When you take the time to prepare, you’ll feel more confident in front of the camera, allowing your best performance to shine through.
If you're looking for more tips on dance photography or preparing for a shoot, follow along on Instagram for a deeper look and behind-the-scenes insights.
