There is a new show I’ve become addicted to on the Nat Geo channel that I’ve been DVRing (yes, I’ll admit it, I’ve been watching far too much TV these last months, but in my defense much of it has been during the endless hours of bouncing on a yoga ball with a cranky newborn).  The show is called Brain Games. Google it, I’m willing to bet if you are reading this post you’ll become addicted, too…

Anyway, this last episode I watched had to do with first impressions. In one game they brought out two portraits, competing politicians in an election.  In each case, they had people guess which person had won their election, and if you hadn’t seen the pictures they had used to run on you might be surprised to know that 70% of the time the viewers got it right. So essentially they could predict who would win an election just by taking a survey of candidate photos. Yep, you read that right, no longer do we have to learn about candidates’ platforms or what they stand for, we can just predict based on which person looks the most kind, relatable, confident and trustworthy. Seriously…

But then, of course as a photographer, I was paying attention to the photos in the Brain Games.  And yes, you guessed it, every one of the winners had very obviously spent time on their appearance, facial expression and had spent the time and money on a good photographer.

And of course I started thinking of my clients: dancers, dance companies and fitness professionals. When you go to an audition do you put that image forward? Are you presenting yourself that way to your clients? Do you market your company with a look that says ‘you won’t be sorry if you spend your rare night out being entertained by us’??

What are you saying by the images of yourself that you put out there?

Oh boy, seems it’s time to shed this baby weight and get some new shots myself .. Ahhhhh! my peanut butter/chocolate Soy Delicious at 2 am, it’s time for us to part, I’ll miss you so…!

Last week I was interviewed by Catherine L. Tully for an article in 4Dancers.  Talking about photographing dancers, how I got here and the many people I have worked with over the years was a nice reminder for me about all that I love about dance photography- and about dance.

I have been enjoying the recent shoots I have been doing for dance companies and for individual dancers and am looking forward to more dance and fitness and movement shoots this summer.

Check out the 4Dancers article and let it be a reminder to you that, even when your work feels like it is more difficult than it is rewarding or more exhausting than worth it, keep at it, keep on going, and you will remember why you are here and all that you have to offer and to enjoy!

It’s been great meeting and working in the studio and on location with dancers who have come to me for photo shoots this spring and early summer.

I am excited to share images from a fun and creative shoot that I recently did with Rachel McSween.  Rachel has danced with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and Ballet Hispanico.

Her dance experience also includes dancing with Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Thomas/Ortiz Dance and Earl Mosley’s Diversity of Dance.

It is always a pleasure to get fun and creative in the studio with dancers and to share the results with you here.  Hope you enjoyed viewing these as much as we did making them happen.

I’ve been in conversation with Darion Smith, Artistic Director of Janusphere, for a couple of weeks about this shoot.  Darion has been excited to be working with a children’s jungle gym for his new piece called KinderPlatz, premiering at IATI Theater’s Performing Arts Marathon (PAM) on July 25th.

When he told me about the concept of course I became just as excited- it’s not every day after all that you get to be a kid again and climb all over a piece of play ground equipment that you had loved as a child!

Everyone loves to be outside in the warm months, photographers are no exception!

I’m so lucky that I’m able to get away from my desk, shoot in the warmth and soak up some Vitamin D.  I know many of my trainer clients love to get out of the gym/studio as well, so now’s the time to do it!

To schedule a photo shoot for fitness promotion, personal trainer portfolio shots, new fitness class promotional materials, and take advantage of the outdoor on location photo shoot experience, contact me.  I’m happy to talk with you about your needs for fitness and movement photography and how the out of doors can be the perfect backdrop to help you communicate the look and feel that you want.

1. Get a good makeup and hair artist
2. Go with a photographer that you can be honest with and not feel like you need to be polite
3. Spend a little time shopping for clothing that make you look good in the body you currently have (or at least clothes that don’t all have baby/kid stains on them)
4.  Book your shoot at a time of day when you have the most energy
5.  Find music to listen to that will make you feel good (no Raffi or Umi Zummi please)

I had the pleasure of working with Claire Esielionis this past weekend.  She is due to start auditioning this year as she graduates from Pacific Northwest Ballet School.  She traveled down from New Hampshire with her parents to work with me for a day and we had so much fun.

We had Viola, a trusted Makeup artist on board to cover up a black eye she sustained from an ‘accident’ at the National summer school (what we in Toronto call the NB of C).  Too bad the story didn’t involve some complicated lift in pas class, but instead a friend with a really heavy metal waterbottle!

So here it is, truth time.

For the last several weeks I’ve been on a kick about dancers, dance companies and artists treating their endeavors like a business in order to sustain and grow in this predominantly business minded society. Without playing the ‘right or wrong’ card, that’s just it.

We live in a society that prizes the American Dream, which is essentially financial, above all else. I wish we prized culture and experienced art on a more equal level but that seems only the case for those that commercialize, or ‘business-ize’ themselves.

I’ve hired a business coach. It’s not as if every pro athlete and dancer doesn’t have their mentors/coaches, teachers that they work with to achieve their goals and dreams, but still, having taken that step makes me feel like a bit of a failure.

The truth is that I need to take my business to the next level if I am to not work 100 hour weeks while pretending to maintain a work/family balance that I and my girls need me to have (and probably my husband should factor somewhere in there, sorry Dave..)

It’s been really interesting, taking stock of all the programming I have, some from my upbringing, much from my dance training, and it’s been wonderful to be able to use some of what I’m learning to help my clients.  But one thing is becoming so clear to me: when we train as artist we spend so much time in the world of ‘work really really hard to get where you want to go, but money will more than likely not be abundant once you get there. In fact, feel honored to just be doing what you are doing..’

Wow. Can you imagine the number of doctors or lawyers we would have in our system if we told them the same thing?  What is the problem here? Is it a chicken and egg thing? Or do all forms of art need, or require, business courses to go along with our training? MBAs for artists?

A continuing conversation… but I will keep harping on this to all my clients if they are not there yet: treat your endeavor just as seriously as a business would, investing wisely in teachers/coaches, present yourselves well with good photos, reels, marketing, going the distance and getting the jobs. Maybe at some point we will be able to turn the page here…

For the last few weeks I’ve been starting work on a new, much more extensive Leotard Buying Guide.

Over the last several years I’ve realized that I spend a significant amount of time with my clients talking about leotard styles, colors and what looks best for their individual body shape/type.

We talk about what to wear and what works well for company auditions, too.  When I go through this process with my dancer clients, I’m able to help them them find a confidence in looking their best that translates into less anxiety, more easy photographs that really show them to their best advantage.  This sets the stage for a confident audition season, and launches them to market themselves properly.

Dancers: Leotard Buying Guide Photo Shoot

The next few months are busy times for dancers and for fitness professionals.  This is a make it or break it time for fitness businesses and trainers in particular, who want to capture the clients who are ready to commit to their health around the holiday season.

Fall is upon us and it’s time to get moving – to get in front of the clients we want, communicate our expertise and take our businesses to the next level by putting all the pieces in place for a successful 2014.  With these goals in mind it’s time to start asking the tough questions and understanding how your clients make choices.

Are you getting what you want? Do you have the clients and presence your expertise demands?

I’ve been amping up my own business, increasing visibility and gearing up to open a new studio location, so I’ve been focused on building a new website, shooting new creative work and rolling out a new marketing strategy.  But the most important part of my business is being there for my clients so I want to pass along my new intensity and marketing energy to you.

What you need and how to get it.

I can help you attract a surge of new customers ready to commit to their around the holiday season.

Need some fresh, new rock star images to put you on the map and keep you in front of your clients? That’s what I love to do of course… and what else?

Need a conversation about your brand to work through ideas that get clients to know your business better? Sure, happy to help.

Need a referral for a new website, logo/marketing material? Easy! I have some good people that are easy to work with that I can recommend.

3 Tips: Make Your Images Work as Hard as You Do

1) Plan your marketing in advance so you know quickly and easily what images and content you need. Having it ready to go when you need it makes your marketing a snap and lets you focus on the bigger picture.

2) Have a variety of fresh images that tell your clients what they need to know. Your images can communicate your theme for the month, health tips or highlight a particular workout focus… the list goes on!

People work with those that they know, like and trust. Use images that communicate this.

3) Understand how your clients make choices.  Advances in Neuroscience suggests that our synapses fire nano-seconds before we take an action/make a choice.  That means our brains make decisions for us even before we have.  This means that getting your image out there consistently to everyone on your list will have a huge impact on your business… the more people ‘know, like and trust’ you the more their unconscious mind will think of you when they’re ready to start training.

Put Your Images to Work

Contact me for a consultation.  We’ll go through the images you’re using now and I’ll show you how to use them to hit your target clients, communicate your unique expertise and create more visibility for your brand.

It’s audition season, my dancer friends!  That means that your years of training are coming down to it.  This is the time to do the research, make your preparations and get yourself fully confident when you walk through that door.

Do you have your plan?

Learn what to wear, how to prepare and how to work with a photographer to get the audition photos you need for the jobs you want.

Consider these tips

1. Understand how directors make their decisions. Thanks to insight from Neuroscience we now know that our synapses fire nano-seconds before we make a choice or an action.  Knowing this, we recognize that our brains make decisions for us so it is even more important to get your image out there the way you want artistic directors and choreographers to see you – the way they need to see you to envision you as a part of their company or production.

Email or post your pictures in advance of auditions.  Getting your self out there as often as possible and showing yourself to your best light will give you a leg up.

2. People work with those they know, like and trust.  Do you present yourself this way? Do you hang back, get in their face or provide just the right mix of personality for the company you are going after?

If you aren’t sure the type of dancer they like to work with, do your research and get in touch with someone from the company to arm yourself with the knowledge you need.

3. Make sure your images are the best possible representation of you and what you can do. One amazing shot is going to go so much further in showing who you are than a multiple mediocre shots. Knowing what we do about the science of decision making and how people choose who they want to work with, get ready to show them your best!

Work it!

When your images work as hard as you, your audition photos set you above the crowd.  You worked hard to get this far, now let’s make your images work hard for you to help land the jobs with the companies you want.

Book it!

Book a shoot, book a job… ’tis the season, my friends!  Contact me now.

Shooting outdoors… it’s not too late in the season with a couple weeks left of beautiful weather and leaves.

3. Know what to bring to outdoor photo shoots.

Bring an oversized coat or blanket to change in/behind if you will have a style change.  Bring a brush and hand held mirror big enough to see most of your face.  Bring a bag with wheels (like a carry on) to your outdoor photo shoot- if you are in a location where you are walking for a fair distance, a rolling bag makes carrying your extras easy.

4. Plan your wardrobe and makeup for outdoor photo shoots.

Bring a few different colors in your wardrobe choices.  You’ll want to make sure you stand out from the background not blend into it. Extra face powder and an easy applicator is a must bring for working outside on camera.

5. Make smart plans: coordinate permits, have a contingency plan and know what time of day is best for your outdoor photo shoot location.

A backup/rain day plan is important.  Look into the locations you want to shoot in to make sure you don’t need a permit, or make sure to visit the Office of the Mayor if you think you need an ‘occasional’ permit (this can be done by fax as well, just give yourself a few days).  Later in the afternoon is better than first morning light at this time of year, unless there is a reason to shoot in the cool temps of the morning.

I still have a few spots left for outdoor photo shoots for dancers and fitness professionals.  Contact me today for a free consultation and book your shoot.

Book your photo shoot now with Rachel Neville

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A couple of Sundays in October I had the opportunity to work with several dancers in NYC and some wonderful dance wear companies to shoot for my leotard guide.  A big thanks goes out to all those who donated their time, I hope a good time was had by all and that you enjoy your pics!

Thank you also must go to the companies who offered their garments: Bodywrappers, Chaccot by Freed of London, Grishko, Gaynor Minden and of course Yumiko!

Here is a shot of Yui in her favorite leotard, the Yumiko Marieke.  

I’m thrilled to announce that the Rachel Neville Leotard Buying Guide 2013 is now available.

14 volunteer dancers and 5 dance wear companies, helpful information, photos, advice and more.

The 2013 Leotard Buying Guide is ready for you, just in time for audition photo shoots, auditions and (ahem) the holidays!  The Leotard Buying Guide is a great resource for teachers, dancers and friends.

Enjoy this guide I’ve put together as a resource for all of you, and remember I’m happy to provide guidance as you explore it.

Fill out the box below to request your free copy of my Leotard Buying Guide 2013

I hope that those of you who have downloaded my Leotard Guide are finding it helpful.  Here is a quick excerpt that focuses on the trick to finding the balance for your hip-to-shoulder ration.  Balance is key when it comes to getting a good photo in the right leotard.

Request your own free copy of the Rachel Neville 2013 Leotard Buying Guide now to see the photos that accompany this post and to learn more about how you can find the balance for perfect audition shots and dance wear.

Hips vs. Shoulders – Find the Balance

Few dancers are lucky enough to have an even hip-to-shoulder ratio. In my teens, I was one of those Bambi dancers with long legs (and pretty great feet if I’m going to boast), but with hips wider than my shoulder girdle.

I went through a phase when I was about 15, after a summer at Boston Ballet, where I wanted all spaghetti straps and high cut legs, pinched and cut down as low as possible, till I realized that those suits really only served to accentuate the imbalance and made my hips look wider than they were.

From about 16 on, the majority of my leotards were cap sleeves, long, and my favorite, ¾ sleeve leotards.

Meet Emily Neale, a dancer with Ellison Ballet School.  Emily has a very similar body shape to my own: long legs, with hips a little wider in ratio.  In her first group of photos, we see that the wider the strap placement on her shoulders the more even her shoulder-to-hip ratio looks.

Also notice the effect that a gather at the bust has on her.  It tends to draw the eye downward and creates a more narrowing effect in her ribcage.

Read more…

I’ve been working with some fitness professionals recently on their marketing materials.  We have been designing marketing pieces from the ground up and I just love starting the process off with trainers who come to me in the beginning stages.  It gives us the opportunity to start branding them without clutter, right from the start.

Do your images show clients who YOU are?

Marketing images are powerful and successful when they tell your clients who you are.

Contact me to discuss how to make your images work as hard as you do and tell your clients what they need to know.

When choosing the right leotard and planning photos for dance audition photo shoots, remember to consider how your leotard looks on you from behind. 

With that in mind, here’s a quick preview of some of what I cover in the Leotard Buying Guide about back views.

First, let us know – and please remember – all dancers’ back views are shot in a relaxed state.  We are not looking for crazy back definition, engaged hamstrings or perfectly placed shoulder blades.  Thanks for hearing me on this!

In general, you are, once again, looking for a balance of the upper and lower body.  We don’t want the back shoulder girth to be made too look too wide or (what may be worse), a back view that makes your popo look larger than it is.

Image (c) Rachel Neville, from Leotard Buying Guide 2013

Keep in mind, while crisscross straps and other embellishments may be fun for class and rehearsals, they can distract from a clean line and I don’t advise them for photo shoots.

Read through the Guide for another important note on leotard leg cut height – and how it can make for lines you don’t expect, or want, from behind.

Request your free copy of my Leotard Buying Guide 2013, a great choice for last minute holiday gift inspiration!

Build a better new year for your fitness business:

1. Take just a couple of mins to plan your marketing with strategy and timelines in mind

2. Understand how your clients make decisions about their fitness goals and practices (I can help you with that!)

3. Create some fresh, diverse images that show your clients who you are and how you work to make your communication and social media posts to them quick, easy and interesting

Contact me and let’s continue this conversation to prepare you – and your clients – for a healthy, successful 2014!