The Art of Dance Academy

This past week I had the pleasure of photographing roughly 100 little dancers from the Art of Dance Academy. Miss Monique is the director and she gave me this opportunity after a friend referred me to her. I think it was a pretty risky move on her behalf since she'd never seen anything I'd ever done in a studio.  That's because I'm not a studio kind of photographer, ah but, now I can say I am....sort of. (I will do it but I'm not so sure I'm a big fan of it) What I am a fan of are little people. I love cute kids, they were totally worth it.
When I first spoke with Miss Monique she said something that hooked me right away, she asked, "will this be too much of a challenge for you?" It was on.... Those of you who know me know I love a challenge. So, about 6 weeks ago I called  B&H photo and told them what I was going to be doing, and this great salesman helped me buy my 3 light set up, umbrellas, softbox, light meter, pocket wizards (except the generic brand) and such.  I was ready-----well, not really, now I needed to learn how to use it all. A few months ago my mentor gave me a training session, my first true exposure to strobes and such, it was cool, but she was there setting it all up, so I didn't get the hands on experience I needed to truly learn something.  Next I read a book, 2 actually, then I had my friends bring their kids over so I could practice. I also did my daughter's cap and gown portraits and was very pleased with them.  I realized I had the confidence and the knowledge needed to take on this dance studio project.  


This beautiful young lady is Miss Isis,  Miss Monique's daughter and a teacher at the academy.  I will be working with her again later this summer as she is one of my Class of '09 spokesmodels  in Norfolk.
The costumes these little people wore were so beautiful.  I especially loved the red and white ones, and the ones with the red feathers.  Next time I will insist we have a more neutral color for the back drop.  I would have been happy with doing them all high key, white back drop but that's not the what the director wanted so we went with the pink/grey back drop...Next time I will insist we use different backdrops according to their costumes. I certainly don't mind changing them up.  Not to mention, my number 1 assistant Zoe is so much help.  We would be able to switch them out in minutes. 



I should mention the posing. Miss Monique or one of her teachers posed the children in their dance poses and group shots.  I posed all the close up portraits

I have a lot more to learn when it comes to this style of photography,  ok, make that all photography and fortunately I love to learn.  Stay tuned!