What to wear

What to wear for a dance photoshoot

Fitted, so the line of the body reads — that is the whole subject. Plain colours against a plain background for portfolio frames. Avoid anything that…

In short: Fitted, so the line of the body reads — that is the whole subject. Plain colours against a plain background for portfolio frames. Avoid anything that hides the shoulders or the hips, since those are what a company assesses.

What works for a dance shoot specifically

Colour. Plain and fitted, in one tone that separates from the floor and the backdrop. The subject of a dance photograph is the line of the body, and a pattern hides it.

Fabric. Something that moves with the dancer — chiffon, jersey, a skirt that trails. Fabric in the air is half of what makes a dance frame read as motion.

Footwear. The actual shoes, in condition. Pointe shoes and taped feet are part of the story rather than something to hide.

The thing that ruins frames. Loose straps and untucked layers. At 1/1000 everything is frozen, including the strap that slipped.

In the bag. Rosin or tape for the floor, a second pair of shoes, and a towel — a dancer four jumps in photographs differently from a dancer at the start. Safety pins, because straps move at 1/1000 and everything shows.

Two rules that hold everywhere

  • Steam it the night before — creases are the most expensive thing in any retouching bill and the cheapest to prevent.
  • Bring options and decide on set, where you can see the light and the background rather than guessing at home.

Next step

See if a session makes sense

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