Dancers in teal and white costumes perform a dynamic contemporary dance routine on a dark stage with purple lighting.
Dancers in elegant poses perform on a dark stage with dramatic blue lighting during a contemporary dance performance.

 

This season’s company showcase was a little different for me.


For the first time, I experienced the entire performance through my camera lens instead of from the audience or helping with quick costume changes. As a dance mom, I’m usually sitting with the other parents or running around. Watching from a photographer’s perspective was a completely new experience.


Photographing dance on stage comes with its own unique challenges. The lighting shifts constantly, the stage is wide, and every dance moves at its own pace. It took a little time to adapt my settings and find the right balance to capture the movement and emotion happening on stage. But once everything was dialed in, it became incredibly fun to watch the performances unfold.


When I photograph dance portraits, I usually know the exact pose or moment we’re trying to capture. During the showcase, it was different. Since I wasn’t familiar with many of the dances yet, I had to anticipate the movement and try to read what might happen next. It felt a bit like storytelling in real time.


 

Contemporary dancers perform a graceful duet on stage with dramatic blue lighting and flowing movements.
Dance performers in neutral costumes create dynamic formations during a showcase performance on stage.
Dancers in blue and white costumes perform a graceful floor choreography on a purple-lit stage.

 

Before the event, I reached out to the company director to ask if she would be comfortable with me bringing my camera, and I’m so grateful she said yes. Throughout the competition season we receive so many incredible professional images, but this showcase is the first time we see these dances come to life on stage and get a glimpse of what the season will hold.


It was definitely different not sitting with my fellow dance moms or experiencing each dance the way I normally would. But it was also incredibly special to capture what I was seeing from my perspective and share those images back with the dancers and their families.


The emotion, storytelling, and artistry on stage were beautiful to watch, and seeing all of the costumes together for the first time made the entire performance feel even more exciting.


There is so much talent in this studio, and I feel incredibly grateful that I was able to capture a small piece of it.

 

Dancers in flowing beige costumes perform a contemporary dance piece on a stage illuminated by deep blue lighting.
Ballet dancers perform a synchronized movement sequence in a dramatic stage production with red lighting effects.

Spring sessions are filling quickly, but I still have a few openings in March and May. If you have a dancer who would love updated portraits or performance images, I would love to capture them.