Dance photography can feel challenging at first, especially if you are unsure of which poses and angles photograph well. Thankfully, there are plenty of useful tips and tricks that can make it easier to take professional and artistic pictures of dancers. With our guide’s help, you will better understand the variety of dance poses, from single to advanced, that can make capturing stunning pictures a breeze.
Make Sure You Are Comfortable With the Basic Dance Poses
Mastering the most simple and easy dance poses for pictures is the foundation of great dance photography. Just because these poses are classic and simple, it does not make them any less versatile. Therefore, they are ideal for dancers of all levels, from beginners to pros, from ballet to hip-hop dance.
1. First Position With Arms in Fifth
This pose is a classic ballet pose that is both elegant and timeless, and it looks wonderful in pictures. It makes sense that it is a go-to for ballet photography, but it can also be an excellent choice for several other genres.
The dancer will stand in first position with their heels together and toes turned out. Their arms are gracefully lifted above their head in fifth position. This dance pose especially emphasizes balance and poise and looks wonderful in pictures.
As the photographer, you should focus on the dancer’s posture. Make sure to ensure their back is straight and their toes are perfectly pointed. Remember to pay close attention to the hands, too. These should be soft and relaxed, not rigid. The ideal angle for this pose is from the front to highlight symmetry and elegance.
2. The Arabesque
Another ideal dance pose for pictures is the arabesque. The arabesque is also a ballet staple, best known for showcasing the dancer’s balance and strength. In this pose, the dancer extends one leg straight behind them while standing firmly on the other. Their arms should be extended to create a long and graceful line.
You should aim to shoot this pose from the side to capture the full beauty of the arabesque. This angle will help highlight the length of the leg extension as well as the alignment of the arms. By capturing the pose from this angle, you will create a striking visual effect.
3. Jazz Hands With a Wide Stance
If you are looking for an energetic pose, this jazz staple is an ideal choice. The pose combines strong, wide-legged stances with expressive hands. It is a fun, dynamic pose that brings a sense of energy and attitude to the dancer as well as the picture.
To capture this dance pose in a picture, shoot it from a low angle to make the dancer appear more powerful and commanding. Try to focus on the sharpness of the hand position as much as possible and the stability of the wide stance. This pose works especially well with bold, vibrant lighting to match the dancer’s energy.
Try Your Hands on Contemporary Dancing Poses for Extra Elegance
Contemporary dance is known for its fluidity, expression, and creative freedom. This makes many contemporary poses great for pictures. But to capture these poses correctly, you need to focus on dynamic movement and striking poses. When done correctly, however, you end up with some truly breathtaking pictures.
1. The Side Leap
The side leap is a powerful dance pose for pictures because it perfectly captures the fluidity and energy of contemporary dance. The dancer needs to propel themselves into the air, creating a stunning horizontal line with their body. Try to experiment with different positions of the arms and legs to create a pose that highlights the dancer’s strengths.
To capture this pose, you need to use a high shutter speed to freeze the dancer’s movements mid-slide. This ensures that the leap looks crisp and sharp. Try to position yourself at an angle that emphasizes the height and extension of the leap. For this pose, timing is crucial, so anticipate the moment and don’t be afraid to reshoot as needed.
2. The Floorwork Pose
Floorwork is a hallmark of contemporary dance, focusing on movements closer to or on the ground. This grounded pose often highlights the dancer’s strength, flexibility, and connection to the floor. When done correctly, photographing a dancer in this pose can add a dramatic and emotional element to the image. Experiment with different poses on the floor to capture the unique beauty of the dancer.
Try to capture this pose from a low angle to enhance the sense of depth and drama. As the dancer is closer to the ground, shooting it from a higher angle might make them look smaller. Pay attention to the dancer’s lines and how their body interacts with the floor. The contrast between the dancer and the ground can create a stunning visual effect – especially when combined with dramatic lighting.
3. The Lunge With a Reach
This pose is a versatile contemporary dance pose that showcases the dancer’s lines, balance, and extension. The dancer will extend one leg forward or to the side in a deep lunge while reaching forward, upward, or even down to create a strong and elegant silhouette.
Make sure to position the dancer in a space with a clean, minimalist background to keep the focus on their lines and reach. Aim to capture the dance pose from a slightly lower angle when you’re taking pictures as this will emphasize the extension and create a sense of expansiveness.
Add Actions and Movements to Your Photography
Action shots in dance photography are all about freezing the dynamic movement at the exact right moment. And this is harder said than done. Not only do you need to catch the movement at the right angle and timing, but you also need to pay attention to the dancer’s body and facial expression. But when done right, an action shot can convey emotion and energy in a whole new way. Mastering these types of shots allows you, as a photographer, to showcase the power and grace of a dancer in motion.
1. The Grand Jeté Pose
The grand jeté is a quintessential dance leap that every dance photographer should aim to master. In this pose, the dancer propels themselves into the air with both legs extended in opposite directions, creating a breathtaking display of strength and flexibility.
To capture the perfect shot of the grand jeté, you need to anticipate the peak of the jump. Use continuous shooting mode to increase your chances of getting the ideal shot without having the dancer repeat the movement over and over again. Focus on the dancer’s form to ensure both legs are fully extended, and arms are aligned to enhance the visual impact of the final photo.
2. The Pirouette
The pirouette is a classic spinning pose that requires both the dancer and you, as the photographer, to have precise timing and focus. The dancer will spin on one leg while keeping the other in various positions. This creates a beautiful circular motion that is great for pictures.
To get a beautiful picture of this dance pose, use a fast shutter speed to freeze the motion while maintaining sharpness. Try to keep the dancer’s head centred in the frame to highlight the spin while focusing on the fluidity of the movement.
3. The Attitude Turn
The attitude turn is a dynamic spin where the dancer lifts one leg, bent at the knee while rotating. This pose can add flair and drama to your photos, making it a fantastic action shot for any dance style.
When trying to capture the full effect of the attitude turn, try shooting from multiple angles. Remember to always focus on the dancer’s form and expression. Play around with different shutter speeds to capture sharp stills and a slight motion blur, depending on your desired effect.
Unique and Creative Dance Poses for the Professional Dancer
If you are looking to capture a truly memorable, unique, and creative picture, dance poses are a great way to start. And to make it extraordinary, especially for professional dancers, you should aim to challenge not only yourself but the dancer as well. And this is where creative dance poses for pictures come into play.
1. The Fish Dive
For a pose as visually challenging as it is stunning, try the fish dive. This is a dramatic ballet pose requiring two dancers. One dancer will dive forward while being supported by their partner, thus creating a breathtaking arch with their body.
To capture this pose, try to emphasize the curvature of the dancer’s body and the complexity of the position. Shooting from an overhead angle, you can not only highlight the form but also add a sense of depth to the image.
2. The Fan Kick-Pose
The fan kick is a high-energy pose often seen in contemporary and jazz dance. The dancer swings one leg high in a circular motion, creating a sweeping arc that is powerful and elegant.
Shoot the fan kick from the side to highlight the height, form and motion of the leg. This angle will also allow you to showcase the extension and flow of the movement. You might also consider using burst mode to ensure you catch the peak moment of the kick.
Upgrade Your Dance Photoshoot Poses with Our Help
Photographing dancers is highly dependent on the general dance style and personal style of the dancer. Therefore, it can be a challenge to get the ideal dance pose. But with our help, you will have a great selection of poses for dance pictures to help you get that amazing shot.
When shooting dance photography poses, remember to experiment with different positions of the arms and legs. This can help you create a unique pose best suited for the dancer. And in the end, that is usually the best way to get the ideal shot.
We hope you’ve enjoyed these dance photography tips. Let GotPhoto help you take your dance photography business to the next level today – sign up for a free trial!
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