What to think about for a belly dance photo shoot
Belly dance photo shoot
Since I just had two photo shoots with the theme belly dance. I thought I share some of my tips for having a great shoot. I did many shoots in my life. Also paid shoots, and shoots that had nothing to do with belly dancing. I would never call my self a model since I'm just an amateur. And I think using a term like "professional model" is just as bad as using the term "professional belly dancer" when it's actually just "a small now and then thing" / hobby / not a profession. Now I got that said to ;-) Anyways... Back to the topic! To take dance pictures are different from "other modeling". The biggest problem I have found is that photographers try to help the model with poses and then they turn out nice - but they don't look like dance. It can help if you explain basic posture of belly dance for the photographer. Another common problem is many photographer asks the dancer to dance and dance and they take pictures at the same time. While that could lead to great shots it's more hard for the photographer to capture a moving dancer in a nice way. And it's more hard for the dancer to pose and smile while dancing. How will you know what to do if you don't know what you look like? Always try your poses infront of the mirror before the shot so you know what the look like. If possible have a mirror infront of you during the shoot. Angles. Know your angles. Now days people are more aware since we constantly take selfies. But I remember a time where angles was a mystery to most people. There are great tutorials on youtube in how to find your angles. Use more make up then what looks good in the mirror. The flash and the camera "eats" away lots and lots of make up. So put some extra. Put on some background music to feel inspired. Save photos with nice poses on your laptop or phone, bring them to the photographer and ask to recreate these poses. Put time in to details. Plock your brows, shave your legs, fix your nails and feet if you are barefoot. Use costume jewelry even if you don't perform in it, its a nice touch. Don't go overboard and bring 5 costumes. My experience is that 1-2 is enough. It's better to meet again for a shoot another time. Otherwise its a risk the images look the same and the make up and hair get dull at the end of the shoot. Bring a friend. Preferably a fellow dancer. Who can look out for your needs, help you secure hooks, tell u when u need to powder your forehead and so on. Try to be as relaxed as possible, smile and enjoy your shoot! Here are some of the photos from my last belly dance photo shoot. I did the make up my self at home and the whole shoot took around 20 minutes. I'm actually standing under a tree in the middle of Malmö city, near Rosengård. Do you like them?
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