Dance Photography

Capturing Dance Talent: A Photographer's Experience at St. Michael's High School

As a professional photographer, shooting live events is one of the most exciting challenges. On Sunday, July 2, 2023, I had the privilege of photographing Dance Talent’s spectacular dance show at St. Michael’s High School in Chorley Lancashire. Dance Talent is a well established Dance school in Leyland just outside of Preston. The event was a vibrant showcase of energy, artistry, and motion, with performances spanning tap, modern, street dance, contemporary, acro, and musical theatre. The owners of Dance Talent had every aspect of the show organised meticulously, it was a true labour of love.

For photographers live performances and events like this offer a goldmine of opportunities to capture dynamic action shots, candid backstage moments, and striking portraits that tell a story.

Photography Tips for Dance Performances

Photographing a dance show in Lancashire presents unique challenges and rewards. Here’s how I approached capturing Dance Talent’s incredible showcase:

1. Capturing Movement:
Fast-paced performances like tap dance and street dance demand quick reflexes and the ability to anticipate motion. I used high shutter speeds and continuous shooting mode to freeze the dancers mid-jump or mid-spin, ensuring sharp, impactful images.

2. Playing with Light and Shadow:
With dramatic stage lighting during the contemporary and modern dance pieces, I focused on creating high-contrast images that highlighted the performers’ elegance and intensity.

3. Wide Shots and Close-Ups:
Wide-angle shots were essential for showing the scale and energy of group performances like musical theatre numbers. For acro routines, I zoomed in to capture the strength and concentration etched on the dancers’ faces as they performed awesome stunts.

Why Hire a Professional Photographer for Dance Events

Dance events like this one are fleeting moments of brilliance that deserve to be preserved. Hiring a professional photographer ensures:

• High-Quality Action Shots: Using professional-grade equipment and expertise, I captured the intricate footwork, synchronized movements, and vibrant expressions of the performers.

• Backstage Memories: Some of my favourite shots from the event are candid moments backstage—dancers warming up, sharing smiles, and celebrating their success.

• Custom Edits: Post-processing allowed me to enhance the lighting and colours, ensuring every photo was as dynamic as the performance itself.

The Dance Styles I Captured

Each dance style presented its own challenges and photographic opportunities:

• Tap Dance: The rhythmic precision of tap routines made for captivating close-ups of dancers’ feet in motion.

• Modern Dance: Artistic and expressive, modern dance allowed for creative compositions that conveyed emotion.

• Street Dance: High-energy street dance routines required sharp focus to capture the bold moves and lively atmosphere.

• Contemporary Dance: Contemporary’s fluid movements inspired dramatic, storytelling-style shots.

• Acro Dance: Acro’s gravity-defying stunts were perfect for stunning action shots.

• Musical Theatre: The colourful, theatrical performances added vibrant energy to the gallery.

Reflecting on the Day

Photographing Dance Talent’s show was a reminder of how rewarding event photography can be. From the electric atmosphere in the auditorium at St Michaels High school in Chorley to the dedication of the performers, every frame told a story.

If you’re planning a dance performance or any live event, investing in a professional event photographer ensures your memories are captured in the best possible light. Whether it’s for promotional purposes, keepsakes, or social media, high-quality dance photography makes a lasting impression.

Let’s Work Together

Are you organizing a dance performance, recital, or live event in Lancashire? Let’s create stunning images that showcase the energy, emotion, and artistry of your event. Contact me today to book your next shoot!