dance sCHOOLS
We believe dance portraits are unique and should be approached differently than other volume portraits for schools or organizations. Dancers should be photographed leaping, turning, posing - in dance positions. And their portraits should be taken by an experienced dance photographer with the knowledge and skills to bring our their best looks.
Dance Poses Banner designed and all photographs by Ron McKinney
Dancers should also be photographed by dance photographers, and Ron McKinney is one of the leading dance photographers in the country. Ron and Beth McKinney run Pas de Deux Photo, an international organization for dance photographers that offer community and education through their Facebook group page and the annual conferences and workshops they run for photographers.
In these workshops and conferences, Ron specializes in teaching photographers not trained in dance the typical poses used in recital photo shoots in each of the dance styles. He brings a banner to each of his shoots so the dancers can review poses before it’s their turn to get their picture taken.
RECITAL PORTRAITS
We can set up a 20-foot wide white backdrop and marley flooring at your space with four to six lights to get the ideal lighting. We also host dance schools in our 3,250 sq foot studio in Crystal Lake, where we have a 32-foot wide white backdrop and white hi-shine Harlequin marley flooring. We have taken a team photo of 83 dancers, but we have the capability of photographing 115 or possibly more dancers in one group pose.
We also shoot tethered to a 55-inch TV screen so you and the dancers can see the images immediately. This allows us to quickly make any adjustments needed, or you can see the shot is perfect as it is. We also bring a pose chart (left) with us categorized by dance style just to make it easier to choose poses or leaps.
Our work for dance studios and academies benefits families looking for great photos to remember the dance season. We also support dance studios by providing artistic images they can use in social media, on their webpage, in email blasts and in the windows and walls of their studio space.
We partner with over 20 dance schools in the Chicago area, including: Midwest Dance Center (Burlington, Wisconsin), Center Stage Dance Academy (Huntley), Ballet Chicago (Chicago), Engage Dance Academy (Crystal Lake), Ballet Box (Algonquin), Above the Barre (McHenry), Rebecca McCarthy School of Dance (Algonquin), Artistry (Dundee), Dynamic Perception Dance Studio (Westmont), R & B Dance Studio (Arlington Heights), Elite Academy of Dance (Elgin), Dreams Dance Academy, Dance Force, and the Chicago Ballet Center.
As part of our partnerships, we offer marketing shoots for the dance schools, as well as outdoor or special sessions for competition teams and companies. We photograph dancers in costume for the Nutcracker as well. Indoor portraits can be take at your dance studio or at our 3250 square foot photography studio. Studio costume portraits are a great way to commemorate performances and recitals.
Outdoor sessions are a fun way to build community and celebrate your team or company. Families appreciate the professional images, dancers share them on social media and studios use them for social media and marketing.
Artistic directors and studio owners can reach Ron at 312-613-0674 or via email ron@ronmckinneyphotography.com to set up an initial consultation and learn what we can do for your studio.