Updated 2018. There are all different styles of photography out there. Are you choosing the right ones?
You see it all around you. The sub par images that get a lot of attention. The photos of dancers that make you scratch your head. The ones that make you cringe slightly and wonder why that was the shot picked to print. Speaking from both perspectives, these images drive me nuts. One of my biggest pet peeves is photos that are technically lacking, not due to the dancer’s skill level but more for the lack of attention to detail. Or the lack of thought on how the image defines the dancer and the impression the image will leave.
But if you take a closer look, and think about who the images are reaching and what your photos are intended for, you may have your answer. And you may learn a little bit about dance marketing basics in the process.
The increasing number of whacked out legs, feet and hyper-mobile backs that you see all over Instagram definitely has an audience. I mean, just look at the number of accounts with huge followings. Many of these post dancers in one of only 4 or 5 poses. Yes, you know what I’m talking about; the attitude, arabesque, tilts with a crotch shot, the grand pas de chat, the leg whack. And that is not to say we don’t shoot those poses. There’s a time and place for them.
These images generally attract the younger audience and non-dance community. Even if we dance photography professionals get tired of looking at flexibility for flexibility’s sake, there is a market for it. However, this doesn’t mean that using these types of images will further your career or always offer artistic satisfaction. They may serve a purpose if used occasionally.
Four styles of dance photography serve professionals best, and each has a particular following and purpose with a particular audience.
4 Types of Dance Photography Ideal for Professional Dancers and Dance Companies
1) Performance or Rehearsal
2) Behind the Scenes (BTS as its called in the film industry)
3) On Location
4) Commercial
Before you put your images out there, think about your reach and your goals. What do you have to say? What’s important to you as a person, an artist, a dancer?
Next, consider who your followers are and who you would like them to be.
It’s a great idea to be strategic with your images, to target your audience in an impactful way that will grab and hold their attention. Choosing dance photographs that come from your heart rather than your facility is a great start!
Happy to have a conversation with you to discuss this important topic and how it applies to you!
