Photography is a critical component of any pre-professional dancer to use in conjunction with your resume submissions. It used to be the only way to show your performance level, athleticism and body before there was the age of easy digital resumes and social media. Even with the world of technology, photography still plays an important role, both in the traditional genres and the more modern advantages of its uses. Photography is needed to submit applications and resumes to Summer Intensives and professional contract jobs; portraits, class work and backstage images are needed for social media and digital resumes and endorsement photography paves the way to endorsement deals and the hope of much needed additional income for a dancer.
Specific Submissions
Specific Submissions
When it comes to auditions and/ or audition submissions, most companies and Summer Intensive Programs (SIPs) will provide very specific descriptions on what to provide. DO NOT DEVIATE from these specifics. As a dance resume consultant, I will tell you that regardless of whatever amazing photograph (and/ or video) you have that you want a company or SIP to see of you, this desire can never replace what the company is asking for with submissions. Most of the specifics will include the types of dance positions they want to see, a head shot, the size the photographs are to be and whether or not they should be in black and white copy or color.
Resume Photography
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| Resume photo composite example |
Resume Photography
When it comes to designing your resume, and you are not under submission specifics or maybe "cold-sending" your information somewhere, I personally still
believe in submitting classic black and white photos for a ballet resume,
however providing exact coloring may help you find the
right fit more so than submitting black and whites. In most cases I recommend a head shot in color with other photos in black and white or vice versa. Either way, photo composites should be printed
on the back side of your one-page written resume. Photo composites should always include a
head shot of you smiling and showing off a long neckline, a good first arabesque
on pointe, and a sauté chat on your best leg as basic necessities. Other pictures are shots that show your
extension, good technique (perhaps in a criosse or a la seconde tendu) and a more artistic, portrait photograph in costume, or a photo of you in a good corps position like Swan
Lake. You should always be well seen in
your photos (do NOT use photos with other people in them or where you are wearing
junk or your overall appearance is unkempt) and you should be in almost full make-up/ heavy street make up in these photos, otherwise you will look bland and washed out.
Portrait, Class & Backstage Photography
While some portrait photography can be utilized in your open resume photography, the main goal of any portrait, class and backstage photography is to build up social media. Portrait photography should be planned, staged, posed and shot by a professional photographer, while the class and backstage photography should be more candid, and can simply be taken with cell phones. This mix is a recipe on social media mediums such as Instagram or Snapchat to start building followers and allowing people, whether it be early fans or professional companies, to view your work, your progress and your dance life, with regards to your environment and experiences:
To Parents - It may seem like a superfluous pursuit of the younger generation, but when done correctly, it is actually one of the best ways to gain exposure to professional companies and receive real endorsement offers.
To Students - You need to involve your parents and instructors (and resume consultant) when pursuing social media as an avenue. You may be the generation that specializes in how to work the technology, but you will not possess the understanding of marketing, image management and above all else - security and safety.
While some portrait photography can be utilized in your open resume photography, the main goal of any portrait, class and backstage photography is to build up social media. Portrait photography should be planned, staged, posed and shot by a professional photographer, while the class and backstage photography should be more candid, and can simply be taken with cell phones. This mix is a recipe on social media mediums such as Instagram or Snapchat to start building followers and allowing people, whether it be early fans or professional companies, to view your work, your progress and your dance life, with regards to your environment and experiences:
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| IG & portrait photography example |
To Parents - It may seem like a superfluous pursuit of the younger generation, but when done correctly, it is actually one of the best ways to gain exposure to professional companies and receive real endorsement offers.
To Students - You need to involve your parents and instructors (and resume consultant) when pursuing social media as an avenue. You may be the generation that specializes in how to work the technology, but you will not possess the understanding of marketing, image management and above all else - security and safety.
Endorsement Photography
Endorsements can be a great way for popular dancers to make extra income. Many social media icons utilize their popularity on social media to advertise other products and become brand ambassadors, and dancers are no exception to this opportunity. When trying to become a brand ambassador or be offered endorsement deals, the best way to start is a) build a large and steady following and b) to "fake endorsements, until you make endorsements." To attract endorsement photography, you want to have solid understanding of how you compliment product placement and marketing, as well as have someone savvy with a camera to capture not only a "dance photo" but photography that can appeal to the general public.
Dancer Model Credit: Elliana F.
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