If you can't take beautiful pictures of ballerinas, it's time to hang up the camera and figure out something else to do. Every May, I have the privilege of taking portraits at the Company-C Dance Studio in Lemont Illinois. The girls range in age from 4 to 16. The sittings are scheduled a few weeks prior to their big end-of-year dance recital, so it gives the girls a chance to try on their costumes and makeup. I structure the portraits so that the girls are done in 10-20 minutes, but they still receive a full session tailored for them. There's much more individual attention than the typical team or event photo session. We mix it up between headshots and full lengths, and throw in a couple different background options to boot.
The proofs from the individual sessions are ready for pickup at the rehearsal the day before the recital. At the rehearsal, I take class pictures and some action shots. My daughter Lucie is in the troop, so I look forward to the show. Enjoy these sample pics.
