Halloween is almost here. I’m a dance photographer. Do you think my 2.5 and 5 year old kids want to be ballerinas in tutus and tiaras that they see on my screenshot or the butterflies they love to pretend to be in pre-ballet classes? Oh no. I wish.

Or something creative like.. a slug, or a Rubik’s cube or a Japanese flag. Well, that might be projecting a little.. but no. It’s Elsa 1 and 2 from Frozen for us.

After successful dance marketing workshops this summer in NYC and San Francisco, I am pleased to announce that the fall edition of my workshop is now accepting applicants.

Alexander Mays, Photo Rachel Neville

Join me Saturday, November 21st, from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., at my Long Island City dance photography studio (25-19 Borden Ave Suite 216 Long Island City, NY, 11101) for an informative, fun and helpful workshop for dancers.

What We Will Cover

At the half-day workshop, we will talk about the How-Tos of image making like the elements of a good audition photo and headshot.  And we will give you the marketing tips and audition tips you need to take the next successful step in your professional dance career.

Aryssa Alonzo, Photo Rachel Neville

What Dancers and Dance Companies Say about the Rachel Neville Dance Marketing Workshop

“Rachel gave me more than fantastic images. She gave me a new approach to and perspective on my dancing and instilled in me a new sense of confidence. It was an experience I will never forget.” – Alayna Brenchley

“Thank you for the wonderful workshop… I was blown away by all the new and insightful information and I left inspired to put a plan of action together right away!” – Laura Anne Wallace

“My students texted me after, they have found it very innovative and inspiring (me too!)” – Nadege Hottier, Principal, Premiere Division

Dance Auditioning Marketing and Image Workshop

Saturday, November 21, 2015
9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Rachel Neville Photography Studio
25-19 Borden Ave Suite 216
Long Island City, NY, 11101 (just 10 minutes from Grand Central Station)

Claire Wilson, Photo Rachel Neville

Reserve Your Spot Now!

Email info@rachelneville.com to reserve your spot at the Dance Audition Marketing and Image Workshop.

You want to know when and how to email dance companies.  You’re worried about how to look good in dance audition photos.  You’re thinking about body language and the physical factors that make for the successful audition that gets you the dance job you want to launch your dance career.

I have been so impressed by the many great questions about photos, dance photography, marketing and dance career advice that I have received from dancers here on the blog and directly to my email after the first Ask a NYC Dance Photographer post.

In this first answer recap, I am sharing some of the questions we received from dancers online, along with my answers and advice.

Angeli Mamon, Rachel Neville Dance Photography

Keep asking questions!  If you have more questions about audition photos and how to use dance photography to advance your career, please post in the comment section below, share on facebook or contact me.

This first question comes from a young dancer launching her career who wants to know more about summer intensives…

Do you find that students under eighteen auditioning for summer intensives need professionally taken audition photos in order to succeed?

While I don’t think it’s as important for summer intensives that the quality of the images being used be what you would want for company auditions, there is definitely a difference in the confidence and tone of a dancer when she/he feels really confident that their pictures are the very best they can be.

Jordan Miller, Rachel Neville Dance Photography

There is a learning curve to knowing how to take really great dance images, it’s not actually quite the same as what you do in the dance studio or on stage, and most dancers find the process of learning how to shoot not only empowering but helpful in their training all around (well, I’m not sure that’s true for all photographers, let’s be honest, but I know that is very important to me not only as a shooter but as a former teacher).

My big question is, when you send out prospective emails to companies, should you attach all your materials immediately in the first email, or should one shoot a “feeler email” then after and based on the response from X company, send your stuff?

Yes 100%. You might not want to send in a large number of images but one or two that gives them a feel for you is never a bad idea. Remember what we talked about: 10% through your eyes.

Hayley Tavonatti, Rachel Neville Dance Photography

How often do you suggest a dancer update their head shots and dance shots for auditions? I’ve had some professionally done within this past year, but will be auditioning again this year and was curious what your advice might be, as I know it’s important to keep thins up to date. 

Yes, being up to date is important, but I’m also conscious that there’s money, time and energy invested in getting photographs taken so I like to look at the whole picture before answering individually.

If you feel that your current shots are really good, that they represent you to the best of your abilities, personality and style, then you are probably going to be fine staying with what you have for a bit. If, however, you did something drastic (dye your hair blue, cut it off, figure out how to gain another foot in your extensions or jumps, fine tuned your artistic abilities) you will want the artistic and casting directors to be able to see you for what you have to offer now.

Think of it not in terms of ‘I have to do this every year or every 2 years’ but more like ‘am I fully confident and well represented by the images that I have to use’.

Good luck to you all – and keep your questions coming!

Every week on Facebook, we celebrate #TutuTuesday and show of some of our favorite dance photos featuring tutus and the dancers who rock them.

Take a look at today’s tutu photo of the day.

Brianna Crockett, Ellison Ballet

And some other great dance photos of dancers in the iconic dance wear piece (that doesn’t have to be frilly!).

Marie Tender, Ellison Ballet

Angeli Mamon, Pacific Northwest Ballet (PNB)

Sarah Gabrielle Ryan, PA Ballet, Second Company

Follow us on Instagram for more images from audition photos, dance company photo shoots, dance performances and dance project photography.

A week or so ago I was in the middle of an audition photoshoot with an incredibly talented dancer and we were just getting into the swing of the shoot when I stopped.  This is a rather common occurrence in my studio, whether we need to have a conversation about pointe shoes (that’s the case about 50% of the time), technique, or anything else that I feel might be inhibiting my dancers from getting the shots that they need, or looking at something that might be holding them back in their dancing.  If you follow me, you know that I was a dancer and a teacher before becoming a shooter, so it’s hard for me to separate those passions.  Let’s be honest, I don’t separate those passions at all.

During the photoshoot, the dancer and I paused because we needed to talk about a few things that I felt might help this dancer in the next couple of months on her audition quest.  One was a strong support system that might possibly include a coach or sports psychologist or person that might be able to help her navigate her feelings, stresses and those stories that we all tell ourselves in order to make it through the day.  You know what I’m talking about.. the ‘well he’s amazing at turns because he doesn’t have the flexible legs that I have’ or the ‘I’ll never be the class favorite’ or ‘I need to have that doughnut because I got yelled at 6 times in rehearsal today’... we all have those thoughts that seem completely rational at the time but in hindsight are really hindering us from becoming the great dancers – and great people – that we are.

Have you ever wondered why your pictures don’t really look like you thought you looked in the studio or on stage? Have you ever been in a photoshoot with a pro or a friend, looked at the screen on the phone, the back of the camera or on the computer and thought ‘wow that’s not what it felt like’ or ‘no, I thought I was better than that’?

99% of you reading that comment are smiling a little, nodding your head and saying ‘yes!!’ or ‘I thought that was just me’.

Ok, let’s get into it!

Reason 1: The Mirror Effect

You are used to looking at yourself in the mirror… backwards. No one’s body/face is symmetrical, so what your brain identifies as normal does not look the same to you in pictures. Try parting  your hair to one side. Take a picture of it… then look from the mirror back at the picture.  What is real and what is not??

Reason 2: Brain Trickery

Only 10% of the information you are experiencing at any given moment in time is coming through your eyes. The rest is coming in through your other senses and a huge portion of it is through your own ‘rose colored glasses’ or rather, your store of previous information on how something should look or feel or be. Because of the way our brains function, we are often using old information to project and fill in the blanks that our eyes aren’t seeing. I’m a little bit of a Nat Geo ‘Brain Games’ junkie… check the show out for more insight like this, it’s really wonderful.

Reason 3: The Other Dimension

You are used to looking at and perceiving your body and other people’s bodies in 3D. Unfortunately, a picture or screen is not three dimensional, but flat. So, often you are not just seeing one side of your leg, for example, but really 3/4s of it.  On screen, it appears as if it is one. Different lighting conditions and backgrounds can help or accentuate this.

Reason 4: Bad Angle

You were just at the wrong angle. I have said time and time again to my clients: 1 – 2 degrees of turn can make all the difference in the world. When we run tests on dancers’ angles with each particular pose or movement, they are often, dancers in my photography studio are always surprised at what a huge difference the smallest adjustments can make.

Reason 5: Selfie Distortion

Cell phone cameras are wide angle lenses. The angle that you shoot at will make a big difference.  This is why it’s so hard to get a selfie that actually looks good and doesn’t distort your head. Most people hold phones up close to their heads, causing the perspective of the top of your body to be bigger (closer to the lens) than your feet.

Now, what to do about it?

Some tips for getting your dance photos to look the way you want to look, and avoid that feeling of not looking the way you think you look in your professional dance photos.

1) Try to work for more lines that are in conjunction with the flat lines of a screen.  Always keep in mind what the screen will be showing. The more ‘twist’ you have in your body, the more likely you are to look better in your dance photos.

2) Remember that really small changes make a big difference in photos. Try your movement or pose from several angles and adjust in small increments. Don’t assume the first or second angle is going to be the best one, even if you think the shot looks pretty good.

3) If you must use a cellphone camera, be aware of the angle that you are shooting at. Lowering the phone to your waist level is really the best place to start, then experiment with different heights.

Sending out a little inspiration to everyone in the midst of dance auditions, performances, classes and dance career planning, all while you also have to manage every other thing that comes with holiday seasons and the end of the year.

“Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson

Dancer: Anna Kate Walker

So, no matter how you’re feeling right now, be strong.  Be determined.  Be confident.  You have made the decision to dance.  And you have the tools – and the community – to help you do it.

Gather advice here on the blog, connect with me directly.  And share your questions and stresses here and on facebook.  And most of all, stay determined.

New Year’s Resolutions for Career Success in 2016

Tips for Improving Your Facial Expression and Communication in Dance Audition Photos

Recently, Laura Anne Wallace came into the Long Island City studio for dance audition photos.  We had a great photo shoot and afterwards had the chance to talk about what the dance audition photo shoot experience was like for Laura Anne, what her dance goals are, and what advice she has to share with her fellow dancers in NYC and beyond

Where are you headed next in your career?

I’m looking to find a company where I can contribute as an artist in a meaningful way. My goal has always been to be the best dancer I can be, for myself, but more importantly, for the company and the audience. I feel over the last several years I have challenged myself to acquire the fearless qualities that allow an artist to push their limits and [I] desire the opportunity to dance with a company whose mission incorporates such endeavors.

Laura Anne Wallace, Photo Rachel Neville

What is the biggest challenge for you when you prepare for a photo shoot?

The biggest challenge in preparing for a photo shoot is taming my nervousness about “getting it right.”  Ironically, I am more apt to have a successful shoot if I simply trust my dancing and let my authentic self shine. All I have to do is drop my wall of protection and dare greatly.

What was the biggest challenge for you during the photo shoot?

My biggest challenge was giving myself some grace during the beginning of the shoot when I wasn’t warmed up and in the zone quite yet. I had to trust my dancing and believe I would learn the correct angles that show best. I realized the need to keep pushing and as long as I kept fear from holding me back that magical shot would come, often earlier than expected.

Laura Anne Wallace, Photo Rachel Neville

During the dance photo shoot, did you discover anything that you will bring back with you to the dance studio (new angles, notes on facial expression, etc.)?

What’s your look? What’s your vibe? What’s your dancing personality? What creates that magical moment for you? These were all questions that were fully answered through my experience of shooting with Rachel Neville.

It’s really important that you know your body and what angles show it off best. The beautiful lines of a dancer aren’t always straightforward to photograph, so you have to learn what works best for you. I will take what I discovered in this arena to every shoot I do in the future. This will be especially helpful for collaborations with photographers that are less familiar with dance [than Rachel is].

We all know a dancer is assessed in a quick once-over. Facial expression and body language aren’t always discussed but are vital to the message you are sending through energy in your pictures as well as in person, while auditioning or taking class.  It was interesting to me how my facial expression didn’t always match the emotion I was feeling or it would read differently than I expected it too. Receiving immediate feedback with the photos was helpful in practicing whole body presence and projecting an energy congruent with what I was feeling inside.

I also discovered what “lit the fire” within me; what I need to tell myself to obtain that magical shot. This is priceless knowledge. A photo could often be technically beautiful, but would fall flat because I would be thinking too much. This is when you have to get out of your head, stop trying to control, and just let go. I had to tap into “that mindset” that makes me unleash and shine on stage. This information is so key and will be relied upon again and again in the future.

What did you enjoy most during your Rachel Neville Photography dance photoshoot?

I don’t think dancers get enough moments to stand back and appreciate their art. We work so hard and focus on all the details that need fixing, to a fault sometimes. This is a great opportunity to love yourself a bit.

Secondly, I don’t think there is a much better feeling than being utterly and completely yourself, knowing that it’s unequally spectacular, and capturing that for a memory. Often the expression can be, “This is me, I’m different, I’ll make the changes I need.”  Instead, the photo session was all about, “This is me, I’m different, look at me and love it.”  What a confidence booster!

Laura Anne Wallace, Photo Rachel Neville

How would you describe the experience shooting with Rachel?

Shooting with Rachel was such a gift. Her knowledge, her spunk and her passion to capture “YOU” makes for an incredible experience. I went in a little nervous, just desiring to “get it right” and I basically skipped out, so confident in who I was as a dancer and as a person and where I was headed.

How do you feel about your audition process now that you have had this audition photo shoot experience?

My photo shoot experience was the perfect catapult into audition season. I not only have beautiful pictures to send out, but also a new knowledge of myself and greater confidence to go along with it. I love having such a clear picture of who I am as an artist and what I can offer a company. Eliminating any doubt in this arena will be so essential in presenting a confident energy in an audition. If I know who I am and what I can offer, a company can be confident in who they are hiring.

What would you tell others about how to prepare for dance audition photo shoots?

Get out of your head, stop thinking so much and unleash yourself. This is so essential for getting a stunning photo as well as having fun.

It’s that time of year when we start doing a lot of yoga, Pilates and gyro tonic studio shoots.  I just love working with these types of clients… call it the endorphins, call it the lifestyle, but you guys are some of the nicest and most positive people on our planet.

Clean your space

Think about your marketing plan before the photo shoot

Consider your overall color scheme

Courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.
― Nelson Mandela

Dancer: Alexandra Terry Photo Rachel Neville

Remember these words when you need dance audition advice, confidence for mid-career changes or motivation to get to class, get in the studio and get on stage.

Have courage, dancers, and you will triumph over your fears.

Joy-Marie Thompson does just that in Interpretations, an exhibition of my photos of Joy-Marie, at The Purchase College PepsiCo Theatre Performing Arts Center, that re-imagines classic photos of African American dancers in her image.

The photography exhibition is on view tomorrow at 7:00 p.m. as part of the Lift Every Voice event and I encourage all of you to explore it, in celebration of Black History Month, the beauty of dance and the power of photography.

Lift Every Voice: A Celebration of Black History

Dancer: Courtney Lavine

“Love is not consolation. It is light.” ― Simone Weil

Sharing love and light with you today, dancers and friends.

Find more images and inspiration here, on Instagram and on Facebook.

I love photographing dance performances because it’s a change of energy, a different dynamic.. Normally in my studio I’m the director and creator, but when I’m shooting a show I have the reverse opportunity to capture someone else’s vision.. for me mostly it’s just a nice change, it’s not really a challenge actually but more just a change of pace.. I also usually get to see in person what my clients are up to and I love to go out and support when I have the chance

There’s something about spring – it is one of the best times of year to see dance in NYC, and there are so many performances happening in the coming weeks.   NYCB and ABT have wonderful seasons planned.  Here are a few others that I’m looking forward to.  Check them out!

April 6 – 9
Dance Theatre of Harlem
City Center
DTH returns to the mainstage at City Center April 6 – 9.  See “power on pointe” and experience the beauty and mastery of Dance Theatre of Harlem. I love photographing DTH dancers and I am looking forward to their season at City Center.

Dance Theatre of Harlem, Photo Rachel Neville

March 26
Brooklyn Dance Festival
BAM Fisher: Fishman Space
The 5th Annual Brooklyn Dance Festival features twelve dance companies. I will be photographing the festival this Saturday and highly recommend you come check out these talented dancers.
SynthesisDANCE
Brooklyn Dance Festival Company – Choreographer, Sidra Bell
Kristin Sudeikis Dance
10 Hairy Legs
Dormeshia Sumbry Edwards
Earl Mosley
The Bang Group
Rebecca Stenn
Steps Repertory Ensemble
Freespace Dance
BARE Dance Company
Peridance Youth Ensemble

April 10
Cellopointe
MMAC
My friends Cellopointe have their performance at MMAC.  Make the time to see them and experience their creativity and beauty, live.

Cellopointe Dance Company Photo by Rachel Neville

April 17
New York Theatre Ballet
Cinderella at Florence Gould Hall
I’m taking my girls to see this one-day performance of Cinderella that includes an interactive lecture demonstration for kids, guided by Diana Byer, NYTB Artistic Director.
If you have small kids like I do (about 3/4 year or older) this is a perfect ballet company experience for you and a performance you do not want to miss.  NYTB is doing great things for our children!

Nothing makes us happier than to create killer images for fitness professionals that help them get clients so we are hosting a mini photo shoot day for fitness professionals here at Rachel Neville Photography Studio in LIC Saturday, April 23rd.

What is a Rachel Neville mini photo shoot?

A mini shoot is really a short version of a regular studio session.  It includes about one hour of shooting, a copy of the proofs and 2-3 high res retouched images.  These mini shoots are $319, with additional retouched images available at $49/each and help to make it possible for fitness pros who are on a tighter budget to get the quality images they need to start creating professional fitness marketing materials that deliver real results.

Photo Rachel Neville

The shoot is not watered down, it’s just short.  We are aiming for about 2-3 killer shots.  In my experience, at most you can get 4-5 really fantastic images in about the time of a mini-shoot. If you aim for more, the wow factor just isn’t there (certainly we could have you whip off a larger number of movements and poses but then we won’t be fine tuning and making them fantastic).

Photo Rachel Neville

Does the mini photo shoot include photography consultations with Rachel Neville?

While we don’t do consultations for clients that choose the mini shoot, we do provide an intake form.  The mini photo shoot intake form is a series of questions that I will email that helps you figure out what you need, what kind of clients you are targeting and how you are marketing yourself.  That way we can know the backgrounds, what outfits and all the rest so that you have time to plan what to bring to the shoot.

Photo Rachel Neville

Who should book a mini fitness photo shoot?

We are opening discounted mini photo shoot sign ups to all NYC yogis, trainers, aerialists, Pilates, fitness professionals, or dancers turned trainers.  And we are looking forward to a great day of creativity and hard work.

How do I book a mini photo shoot with Rachel Neville Photography?

Contact us now to book your fitness photography mini shoot on April 23.

Start Planning Your Dance Summer in NYC

2)  Visit NYC museums

Nicolas Moreno, Dancer Photo Rachel Neville

3) Schedule training sessions

5) Enjoy free performances

We’re here in the studio gearing up for the yoga mini photo shoot session coming up this Saturday, April 23 in Long Island City.

Mini photo shoots are great for yoga professionals who need to kick off their marketing with strong, powerful images that show them at their best and give their clients a preview of the quality experience they can expect.

Learn more about the upcoming mini photo shoot session with Rachel Neville Photography.

Book your spot now – we have only one space left!

Want more?

Join our mailing list for advance updates on mini shoots and other promotions, as well as great content to take your dance and movement marketing to the next level.

I love shooting aerial artists. When I built my NYC dance photography studio two years ago, we put in a rigging point and while I haven’t spent much time talking here about how we can accommodate you guys, the word of mouth has picked up among aerial artists all over New York.  And we have some great aerial photos- and aerial photography tips – to share.

Mara Hsiung, Photo Rachel Neville

I also want to take a moment to feature aerial artist Mara Hsiung, who is not only creating beautiful art, but recently launched an informative, engaging newsletter that is a must read for anyone interested in aerial work, aerial gear and aerial events.  It was a pleasure working with Mara and getting creative with her in the photography studio and it is good to see how she is using the images we created, and the content she has put together, so well.

Definitely subscribe to her free newsletter.  You won’t regret it.

Mara Hsiung, Photo Rachel Neville

Photography Tips for Aerial Photos

If you try to get rid of fear and anger without knowing their meaning, they will grow stronger and return.

― Deepak Chopra

Dancer: Harper Watters, Houston Ballet  Photo: Rachel Neville

Dancers, think about your true strength and the ways in which you can prepare for opportunities and overcome challenges while staying true to your art, your goals, and your self.

I will be continuing this conversation and more in an upcoming video series.  Be sure to join us as we discuss mental and physical preparation for dance auditions and dance career challenges and opportunities.

Sign up now to be the first to access our free video series for dancers.

Tagged: arts, auditions, contemporary dance, dance, dance careers, houston ballet, motivation