preparing for a belly dance photo shoot

princessfarhana · 11-24-2009, 03:48 AM

Hi,
Just posted a new article on my blog about preparing for a belly dance photo shoot. Here's the link:
PRINCESS FARHANA

AuroraBellydance · 11-24-2009, 08:34 AM

Professional Belly Dance Photoshoot- Maani

To get started in the industry your top 3 priorities will be:

-get decent costumes/ book your professional photoshoot/ order your flyers.

The photoshoot:

First of all, you want to make sure you prepare ideas of poses and costumes in front of the mirror at home during the week before your photoshoot.

Book your hair appointment for about 2 weeks before the session. A fresh haircut can sometimes look too sharp and may not reflect the real You!

Choose your photographer! Preferably go for a photographer who has got a lot of experience in dancing photography. They will have better ideas and make you feel more comfortable than “wedding photographers” for instance.

Personally I would recommend Maani. He is particularly familiar with the Bellydance industry. Whenever there is a bellydance event in London he is the one who is invited to take photographs. He knows everything about bellydancing. (see more info about Maani below)

read more on my blog:
Professional Belly Dance Photoshoot- Maani AuroraBellydance blog

Anala · 11-24-2009, 10:30 AM

Very good post, Princess Farhana! (And, BTW, I just discovered your blog the other day and it is a treasure trove of good information and humor!)

The only thing I would add to your list is to pick a photographer you can work with easily! I do NOT like being photographed, and I have found that many photographers make me nervous just in their general demeanor. If you can interview and get to know your photographer in advance, you can find out before "the meter starts running" whether you can communicate well, relax, and get what you want out of the shoot.

Luckily, I found such a photographer! My friend Dave (a.k.a. "Mr. Aela" is not only a talented photographer, but he has the unique perspective of being a dancer's husband. These factors made my shoot go very smoothly, and I am VERY pleased with the results! (I know, these are shameless plugs, but can you blame me?)

lizaj · 11-24-2009, 11:34 AM

Well seeing as everyone is doing it..can I add recommendations?
Yes get a photographer who understands the dance and dancers.
I would also say get one who doesn't destroy you..do you get what I mean? Not too much ironing out and photoshopping. Balancing glamour with you as an individual.
I can wholeheartedly recommend Tracey Gibbs.the girl who managed to make me look glamorous but my husband still recognized the woman in the photographs

Tracey Gibbs Photography

Emma_Williams · 11-24-2009, 11:44 AM

yes Traceys photos are amazing as soon as I actually get a costume and start performing she will be the first lady I look up!! outstanding photos

Kharis · 11-28-2009, 04:22 PM

One of the finest photographers of dancers, particularly belly dancers, is our own Freddie aka Cathy Cheung. She excels at lighting and ambience and has the uncanny knack of making a dancer look absolutely fabulous. Not sure what her web link is, but she's an OD member.

Cathy, where are yooooooo?

11-24-2009, 03:48 AM	#1 (permalink)
princessfarhana Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Hollywood, Ca Posts: 4	preparing for a belly dance photo shoot Hi, Just posted a new article on my blog about preparing for a belly dance photo shoot. Here's the link: PRINCESS FARHANA

11-24-2009, 08:34 AM	#2 (permalink)
AuroraBellydance Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: London Posts: 4	London dancers: professional photoshoot Professional Belly Dance Photoshoot- Maani To get started in the industry your top 3 priorities will be: -get decent costumes/ book your professional photoshoot/ order your flyers. The photoshoot: First of all, you want to make sure you prepare ideas of poses and costumes in front of the mirror at home during the week before your photoshoot. Book your hair appointment for about 2 weeks before the session. A fresh haircut can sometimes look too sharp and may not reflect the real You! Choose your photographer! Preferably go for a photographer who has got a lot of experience in dancing photography. They will have better ideas and make you feel more comfortable than “wedding photographers” for instance. Personally I would recommend Maani. He is particularly familiar with the Bellydance industry. Whenever there is a bellydance event in London he is the one who is invited to take photographs. He knows everything about bellydancing. (see more info about Maani below) read more on my blog: Professional Belly Dance Photoshoot- Maani AuroraBellydance blog

11-24-2009, 10:30 AM	#3 (permalink)
Anala Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Mid Atlantic, USA Posts: 549	Very good post, Princess Farhana! (And, BTW, I just discovered your blog the other day and it is a treasure trove of good information and humor!) The only thing I would add to your list is to pick a photographer you can work with easily! I do NOT like being photographed, and I have found that many photographers make me nervous just in their general demeanor. If you can interview and get to know your photographer in advance, you can find out before "the meter starts running" whether you can communicate well, relax, and get what you want out of the shoot. Luckily, I found such a photographer! My friend Dave (a.k.a. "Mr. Aela" is not only a talented photographer, but he has the unique perspective of being a dancer's husband. These factors made my shoot go very smoothly, and I am VERY pleased with the results! (I know, these are shameless plugs, but can you blame me?) Attached Thumbnails __________________ The Practical Dancer

11-24-2009, 11:34 AM	#4 (permalink)
lizaj Moderator Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: UK Posts: 3,603	Well seeing as everyone is doing it..can I add recommendations? Yes get a photographer who understands the dance and dancers. I would also say get one who doesn't destroy you..do you get what I mean? Not too much ironing out and photoshopping. Balancing glamour with you as an individual. I can wholeheartedly recommend Tracey Gibbs.the girl who managed to make me look glamorous but my husband still recognized the woman in the photographs Tracey Gibbs Photography Last edited by lizaj; 11-24-2009 at 11:39 AM..

11-24-2009, 11:44 AM	#5 (permalink)
Emma_Williams Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Liverpool Posts: 174	yes Traceys photos are amazing as soon as I actually get a costume and start performing she will be the first lady I look up!! outstanding photos

11-28-2009, 04:22 PM	#6 (permalink)
Kharis V.I.P. Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 1,169	One of the finest photographers of dancers, particularly belly dancers, is our own Freddie aka Cathy Cheung. She excels at lighting and ambience and has the uncanny knack of making a dancer look absolutely fabulous. Not sure what her web link is, but she's an OD member. Cathy, where are yooooooo?