Georgina Piper Photography

It was cold yesterday. Freezing may be the better word. Top of 4 degrees, a low of 1 and… I opted for a dance photoshoot. In England.

Now, in my defense, I’ve my reasons. The biggest is that in 51 hours I’m boarding a plane to Australia, returning home after two years away. The second reason? I’ve taken a lot of emotional hurdles to get to a point of desiring a photoshoot and thirdly, but by not means lastly… have you seen this beautiful lady’s photography?!:

That’s me. Yep. She’s a genius.

Georgina is such a patient, creative, adaptable and easy-going artist to work with. There were plenty of difficulties associated with this shoot – for both of us – but we were able to bond, discuss and adapt to a structure that allowed both of us to feel comfortable and productive.

I digress. Portfolios are important for dancers. Headshots are often necessary, movement shots less so, but it always comes in handy as an audition application is as unique as the company advertising. But not just for applications, dance photos transversing your career can be sentimentally important; signposts of what you’ve achieved, what you’ve looked like, and solid reminders of who you are in an artform so ephemeral. That said, having the confidence, motivation (and sometimes the funds) for a photoshoot can difficult.

Constantly striving for perfection physically and artistically has it’s perks, but means that it can be very tricky to feel like you’re “ready” to be captured: that you’re toned enough, flexible enough, etc, etc. Finally, in the “letting go” spirit of this year, I convinced myself that the booking should come first, or else the confidence and determination to look good never would. A sudden change in plans to move back home sooner than expected threw a spanner in the works somewhat, but my determination remained to see through this opportunity.

Georgie’s photos helped. I think it’s important to find a photographer you connect with, that you enjoy the photos of, and you see bonding principles in the things you value visually. Georgie is primarily a portrait photographer, but when I contacted her she was both excited and enthusiastic to tackle something more movement based. There was a great deal of movement inherent in her existing photography, so I felt confident that she’d find the movement in stillness I wanted: alongside the clarity and detail she appeared so good at.

Things I learned on this photoshoot:

1. dance photos need not be in a studio – there’s something about the influence of a landscape to inspire both artists (dancer and photographer), however there are extra considerations to avoid injury and some movement can be more difficult
2. if it’s cold: rug up. Seriously. Layers, and so many of them. I was frozen most of this shoot, but what got me through it was being able to throw my overcoat on between bouts of photos, a beanie if I had to whilst standing on a scarf and occasionally jeans… make is plausible that you can change in public i.e. use coats to long enough to cover yourself and underwear already prepared.
3. try several locations: you and the photographer will be inspired by the change of light and scenery
4. AND… as a dancer… TRUST YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER. You chose them for a reason. By all means, look for inspirational pictures but do not expect to recreate exactly what you’re inspired by. The process requires the meeting of expertise – the movement and capturing stillness – work together and communicate – you both know what you’re doing in your respective fields.
5. In saying that, if you need to stop for any reason, speak up – otherwise the discomfort will show on the camera!
6. Finally: for dancer and photographer – do what you do best. For Georgie and I, we both hit our stride when we embraced what we knew instead of waiting for the other to create something. Georgie treated it as a shoot she was familiar with, I treated these fragments as snippits of improvisation. It worked, and it was so much easier when we fell into that pattern of working. Magic happened.

As well as all my layers, I also took a towel, scissors, hairband and “click-heat” packs (so handy!).

I felt so inspired and excited after this day, Georgie’s energy and enthusiasm, and being able to speak with another artist about their work and what they do. There’s nothing that replaces impassioned conversation: is the stuff that keeps us going…

Here’s Georgie’s website: Georgina Piper Photography if you’d like to see more of her work… she come highly recommended by me, and perfect if you live in the London/Sussex area. More photos to come soon – these are just the previews she was so kind to get to me SUPER quickly!