Photoshoot Perfection Series: Post 1- The Basics

Photos of belly dancers are so beautiful and captivating- and there is a lot of work that goes into making that happen! This blog series will discuss how those gorgeous photos come to be; this first post is a general overview of things to consider.
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Over the next few weeks I will release the subsequent posts in this series which will walk you through much of what I have learned over the years from my own shoots. I will also take you on a behind the scenes look at my most recent photoshoot. Stay tuned!

Photo of Sahina by Huong Phan Photography

General Do’s and Don’ts

Photo of Chaya Leia by RT2 Photography.

Do:

• Communicate what you want with your photographer in advance, and feel free to communicate during the shoot as well: you are paying for the photos and have a voice in how things should go, but always be respectful and remember that you are working with a professional. You should value and trust their opinions.
  
• Read reviews or talk to people who have worked with the photographer before: getting input from other clients of a photographer will give you an idea if they are the right fit for you, and can provide you with important information before committing to work with them.
  
• Make sure you understand how many photos you will receive and in what format: ask for clarification about anything you may not understand regarding your contract with the photographer.

• Bring a friend if possible, especially a dancer: they will have a good eye, and can remind you to check your posture. Bonus: they can help with costume changes! This is especially important if you are in an outdoor or more exposed location, or you chose a costume that requires an extra set of hands to get into!
  

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Photo of Felicia Malachite by RT2 Photography

• Plan out some poses ahead of time and test run hair and makeup: spend some time in front of the mirror to see what poses, makeup and hair will look good on your body. It’s also a good idea to trial run these in the costumes you have chosen for the shoot. (Keep an eye out for another blog post in the series that will help you with inspiration!)

• Check your costume ahead of time to make sure it doesn’t need any repairs or adjustments: once you choose your costumes, take some time to make sure they fit well, are in good condition, and you have all the pieces you will need. This includes all accessories and jewelry.
  
• Look at pictures of other dancers for inspiration: this is a great way to get ideas for your photoshoot. Looking at what other dancers have done can help you decide what you prefer for poses, location, costuming, props, and movement.
  
• Drink lots of water and get plenty of sleep the night before the photoshoot: and in general take care of yourself leading up to the photoshoot. You don’t want to be sick or not feeling your best if you can help it!
  

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Don't:

• Try to negotiate the photographer's fees: dancers have to deal with potential clients trying to talk our fees down all the time and it is no fun. Please don't do this to other artists.
  
• Wear large glitter: shimmers will work and possibly very small sizes of glitter.
  
• Schedule your shoot for a day you might be, ahem, bloated: you want to set yourself up to feel and look your best for the photos.
  
• Schedule a location shoot if you don't have permission from the location's management: this is a surefire way to get yourself in some trouble! Or at the very least, waste your and the photographers time if you can’t access the location or get asked to leave during your shoot.
• Forget to take your hair elastic off your wrist. I can't even tell you how many times I have accidentally left mine on at the start of a shoot!
  

Photo of Sahina and Felicia by RT2 Photography.

How do you know if you need photos?
Professional dancers need to have current photos for marketing and promotional purposes. This generally means doing a new photo shoot every 1-3 years during your dance career.

While non-professional dancers (from hobbyists to dancers interested in going pro in the future) don’t necessarily need professional photos, they can be nice to have just for fun. One of the things that attracts many of us to the world of bellydance is that we get to be glamorous and fabulous. So, if it makes you feel happy to get fancy and have beautiful photos, I say go for it!

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Stay Tuned!
Subsequent posts in this series will discuss in greater detail working with a photographer, choosing a location, developing your look, and what to do the day of the shoot. If this series inspires you for you next photoshoot please share your beautiful photos, I would love to see them! Feel free to contact me with any questions!

Photo of Sahina by Derek Goodwin