This text has been used with the friendly permission of Adarah, dancer and photographer, USA/Japan. Find more information and inspiration at www.adarah.iwarp.com

You've put in the time, patience, caring and love to get where you are today. When you felt ready to move to the next step you have spent the same amount of time (and money!) in choosing (or making) a costume that speaks about YOU as a dancer.  When you are ready to have a photo session, it shouldn't be any different.

You should invest quality time and money into this piece of your dance that will be examined and reexamined for years to come. There is controversy over the ethics of promoting yourself using photographs taken 10+ years ago (that's a subject for another time!) but it shows that, if done correctly, photographs can be made to last! 

As a dancer and photographer, I would like to offer some tips and suggestions for getting the most out of your next photo session. Some people want to rush into this process, who can blame them? Just like doing your first show, it's exciting to put all of it together and have photos done. But I would like to suggest that before you invest the time and money, get to know yourself as a dancer first.

It's easy to take a classical pose…..and look like every other dancer at the same time! Why not figure out your own style, what looks good, what doesn't look good? What makes you unique? It's that bit of "uniqueness" that will make people remember you…know it and capitalize on it. In the words of Mae West:

"Personality is the glitter that sends your little gleam across the footlights and the orchestra pit into that big black space where the audience is."

With that in mind, here are some tips to help you along:

Before the session

Study yourself. Videotape yourself, take poses in front of a mirror, or have a friend take simple snapshots of poses you may like. Use these as guides, for yourself (and in the case of snapshots) for the photographer. On the same note, know what you like and don't like about yourself. Be sure to tell the photographer to please try to avoid these things (but please understand photographers are not always perfect!).

Study others. Collect photographs of other dancers…oriental dancers or not! Get an idea for what you want your session to be like. Like the glamour and mystery of the actresses of the 50s? Like the eccentricity of the Art Deco period? Or do you like the look of the infamous Femme Fatale of Hollywood? Don't limit yourself to dance; look at paintings, sculpture, vintage film stills, photography books.

Example for a special atmosphere picture: Shoshana (New York), photographed by Adarah

Find a photographer

This takes some time. First, ask around. Of course, the easiest is a recommendation from a fellow dancer. If you aren't that lucky, here are some suggestions.

1. Dance studios or studios for actors/actresses (ask the front desk staff or look for a bulletin board)
2. Magazines devoted to the same.
3. Your local professional photo lab, often photographers will advertise on a bulletin board there.

Negotiations

There are a few things to consider.

Negative
The percentage of photographers retain their negatives, this is standard practice. Another controversial subject I will not get into here! But with that in mind, if you want your negatives find out what the photographer's policies are. Sometimes you can buy the negatives at an extra cost (much like wedding photography).

If the photographer is not willing to sell the negatives or give them to you, and you really, really want to have control, find another photographer. Somewhere down the line you may find one. But be prepared, you may loose other qualities in finding this one thing. Figure out what everything is worth to you.

What do you get for the price?

• How many rolls of film and how many frames on a roll?
• Are there prints included?
• What is the cost per print after the session?
• Do you get to keep the proofs?
• Is there a time limit on the session?
• Is the film b&w or color? Can you choose? Can you do both?

Other things to ask the photographer

• Can you bring a friend to the session?
• Is there a sufficient place to change?
• Can you put on your make up there?
• Can you bring your own music? Is there a music player already there or do you need to bring one?
• Is there a mirror available? (to check your poses)

If this is the photographer you choose, now is the time to show him/her your snapshots, inspirational ideas (drawings or photographs, whatever you have collected), talk about what effect you are looking for. What kind of backdrop do you want to use? White? Black? Do you want a slick studio shot or something more artistic? Be sure NOW if your photographer can meet your needs, there's nothing worse (on both ends) than getting prints back and it's not what you

Get yourself ready!
 
Make-up
I suggest to my clients to do their makeup just as if they were performing under low lighting conditions. Subtle makeup does not show.

Eyebrows
DO NOT tweeze or wax the night before! Puffy, sore or red eyebrows will show! Give your eyebrows time to heal and relax.

Hairstyle
Don't cut your hair right before the session... you may not like it. Give time for you to be comfortable and used to styling it. Practice with styling, make sure you can either do it yourself the day of the session, or can have it done the day of the session.

Costumes
Look at your costume choices carefully. Mend anything that needs mending, fix any beads that need it, make sure you have all the accessories you desire. Iron and clean everything, don't forget your veils!!!

Remember the day of the session is NOT the day to try something new!

Choosing your costumes
A roll of film has 36 shots on it (if you are using 35mm). Out of 36 shots you will need to do various poses, maybe some action shots (including turns) and maybe some close-ups.

Do you know how many things can go wrong? To capture that one perfect turn you need to shoot several that have  the perfect expression, the skirt right, veil, I could go on. In short, in 36 shots you will often get only a handful that you will really want to use. There are just too many variables - to get every shot perfect…it doesn't happen.

With that in mind, I always suggest no more than 2 costumes or two props (including veil). You want quality not quantity.

The Session!

• Here are a few additional suggestions for a great session!
• Bring your own music. Most people are nervous shooting, I suggest to my clients to bring music they enjoy hearing, music that sets their minds at ease, something they enjoy dancing to and escaping into.
• Bring a friend. Even if your photographer is used to working with dancers, he/she may be looking at the light or backdrop, etc… They cannot see ALL! Bring a dance friend who can double check your pose, fix your skirt, veil, etc.
• Candids. I also suggest warming up to things by making the first shots candids. Dance to your music and let the photographer get to know you and your style and in return get some nice action shots.
• BE ON TIME. I cannot stress this enough. Have most, if not all, of your makeup on by the time you get there. If you need to put your makeup on there, get there early. You don't want to waste everyone's time… You're paying for it.
• Smile! When doing turns, remember when you turn front, smile!
• Exaggerate. When posing, exaggerate your pose a little as film tends to flatten things out. With that in mind remember that most photos of backbends facing the camera make you look like an alien. One with all breasts and no lower body!
• Powder.  Remember to powder your face occasionally, those lights are hot!
• Have trouble blinking? Strike a pose, close your eyes, ask the photographer to tell you when he/she is ready…then open.
• HAVE FUN!!! Above all, enjoy this time!

Another link concerning this topic: www.jareeda.com/best_side.htm