Thinking about an outdoor portrait session to capture your dance artistry and developed talents? You’re in the right place!
Outdoor dance portrait sessions are an incredible way to capture the fluidity, grace, and energy of your movements against the backdrop of nature – and there are so many unique and beautiful locations to explore. Keep reading for some tips on planning for your outdoor dance photo session, and take a look at some example photos from a session that was maximized and styled perfectly for the location of choice.
- Selecting a Location
The location you pick for your outdoor shoot sets the tone and aesthetic of the entire session. Think about how the setting will complement the style of dance you’re showcasing, and what you want to wear. Are you going for dreamy, enchanted vibes or many more abstract and artistic, or even strong and industrial. You could also consider going with a location that is opposite of the wardrobe and dance style you want to showcase to create some additional contrast. I am always happy to provide location ideas and insights for my clients.
2. Wardrobe Choices
Selecting a couple of outfits dependent on the session length to help highlight your features, extend your lines, and go with the vision you’re creating will help enhance your session photos. It is important to choose clothing that makes you feel comfortable, confident and empowered so you feel your best self during the session! Solid colors often work best for outdoor settings so that they stand out from the potentially busy backgrounds.
3. Prepare your strengths/pose ideas
Creating Pinterest boards or saving photo ideas of poses you like, in addition to thinking of your strengths as a dancer will help you create the best images of yourself! While it’s important to work with a photographer who understands dance and good technique to help guide you throughout your session, it’s also important to recognize and prepare your skill set so that you are confident in executing your movement and will enjoy the photos.
4. Other Details
Creating a hair and makeup look that makes you feel confident and enhances your natural beauty – or brings out a styled look that you want to achieve for a specific vision will only help enhance your photos. You want your unique features to be able to stand out so it’s important to highlight them in the best way you can.
Taking a look at Kaitlyn’s session below – you can see how her outfit choices nicely complimented and stood out from the location she was at, and how her movement and poses were unique to her talents. Use this as inspo for your own dance portrait session & reach out to book yours!












