I don’t know about you, but I love to look at the pictures on IStockPhoto. The belly dance images are such high quality!!

No matter how good of a dancer you are, people won’t actually book you for a show (paid or unpaid) without proof.

People always say “a picture is worth a thousand words.” It’s very true. Think of all the belly dancers you’ve seen. When you visit their website, whether it’s their facebook, myspace or just a website they own, they have photos. Sometimes the photos are done by professionals, and sometimes they do they are done by amateurs. Here are a few tips for getting great photos with little or no cost.

You have a few options when it comes to taking photos. You can:

• Take photos before the performance. It helps if you take photos with other dancers. In this digital age, many dancers carry around camera. Just take pictures of everyone and swap photos later.
• Get a friend to photograph you during a performance. Make sure they are right up front so they can get close shots with good lighting.
• Take photos after the performance. Blot your face and upper body with a towel to remove excess sweat. Be careful around your make up.
• Get a professional to take portraits of you. This is a great idea if you have up and coming photographer friends. In other cases, you don’t need to go out and hire a professional. There are a lot of photography students who need models. The better students will charge, but not the hundreds of dollars an hour for studio time. You’ll get great photos at a low price.
• Take your own portraits.

Taking your own photograph is sometimes easier said than done. Most people get in the mirror and take a picture of their reflection. While it helps, most people don’t want to see the bright flash going off in the photograph distracting them from the rest of the picture. You will probably do best by taking a headshot.

When preparing to take your own belly dance photograph there are a couple of things to remember:

• Use a simple, uncluttered background (this is very important).
• Use a small digital camera (are smart camera phone) with a flash
• Focus on your face, since it is the main point of the photograph
• Wear makeup. It’s best to try to replicate the look you wear for performances.
• Do your hair and wear a top to one of your costumes. Choose something that looks great on your skin and is very flattering.

When you are ready to start photographing, keep these tips in mind:

• Practice in the mirror before you pick up the camera.
• Take test shots. This will let you know if you need more light, or a different background.
• Try to fill the entire frame of the camera with yourself.
• If you get clutter in the background, like a chair or something moveable, then move it.
• Don’t worry if you get a photo that comes out blurry or not perfect. Try again.

After you load your photos onto a computer, go through and pick the ones you like the best, about two or three, and save them with file names like ‘bellydance_funnyface’ or something similar. This is just so you can remember them for later. If you want, you can use an online photo editor like one of the following:

• www.picnik.com
• www.fotoflexer.com
• www.lunapic.com

These are all pretty simple to use. You can adjust the contrast (something I always do), add text and/or resize them. Once you edit your photos, make sure you save them again. Now you are ready to put them some place like flickr, tribe.net, myspace or facebook. You can even use them as the background for business cards.

When your preparing for your photoshoot, please keep in mind many things before the shoot.  This will help you and the photographer make things go much easier.

If your the model, please make sure to bring certain items with you the day of the shoot.  You can pack this the night before.  Also make sure to get plenty of rest and sleep the night before.  If you are tired and went out the night of, it will show on your photographs, no amount of makeup can hide it.  You will be tired and will not have the amount of energy that is needed at a shoot.  There is photoshop, but I don’t like using it especially because it alters yourself to be someone else. 

If you are not sure what items to bring to the shoot, keep in mind, what kind of shoot it is and for what.  For dancers, you could bring a few costumes changes, bring your accessories, comb, hairspray, and makeup.  If a makeup artist or hair stylist isn’t available, please be sure to arrive makeup ready and have your hair styled.  Bring your own makeup for retouches.  Bring safety pins and bobby pins.

If your not sure what you want your poses to look like, look through magazines and even the ones you get in the mail, like Wal-Mart or Kohl’s.  You can also look through fashion magazines and study the models’ poses. 

You can also write down ideas you have.  Take notes and share them with the photographer.  The photographer is there to help you pose and give you advice on what poses look good and what angles look good as well.  The photographer has to work in conjuction with you the day of the shoot.  Make sure you have spoken to the photographer before so you can get accqainted and familiarize yourself with their style, research their photos.  Don’t be afraid to ask questions.  Arrive on time and go over the details with the photographer, show them your costumes and what you want reflected in the photos.

After going over the details, and your ready, give the photographer a few minutes to test the shoot by taking different photos.  Once the shoot is ready to begin, don’t be afraid to ask the photographer to see the frames, if he/she has a computer they can be downloaded and be critiqued, only to leave room for improvement.  Remember it’s your shoot, the photographer is there to make you look your best and don’t forget to have fun!  If anyone found this helpful, make some comments or suggestions.  Happy dancing : )

Dancers are artists.  They are capable of flexibility and mobility that normal people don’t obtain.  To a capture a movement in motion can require the use of a camera to showcase the dancers’ skill and talent.  It is also a great way to promote yourself. 

Aside from my writing gig on Belly Dancing Diva, I am also a working photographer.  I have had the opportunity of having my photographs published in numerous venues.  I also work in photoshoots whether it be hair and wardrobe styling or photography.  I want to start branching out and take dancer photoshoots.  If your looking to revamp your website or even your business card, new photos can help showcase your talent.

I am currently booking photoshoots for dancers.  Since the downturn of the economy, my prices are very reasonable, if your interested please send me an email.  Till then happy dancing : )