12 – Marketing para la Fotografía de danza

Summary

This course delves into the art of dance photography, covering various types such as studio, documentary, and performance photography. It discusses the essential steps to build a successful portfolio, starting from amateur dancers and progressing to professional ones. The script highlights the importance of marketing strategies, especially through social media, to gain exposure and establish a name in the dance community. Additionally, the course emphasizes how to approach dance companies, collaborate with schools, and generate income through dance photography. The overarching message is to create images that go beyond photos, aiming for masterpieces that resonate with the passion of the dancers.

Takeaways

• 😀 A strong dance photography portfolio is essential to enter the world of dance photography. It should focus on clean, clear, and precise images that highlight the dancer's technique.
• 😀 To build a portfolio, photographers can collaborate with dancers at all levels or hire them to create work. Collaborations can also be mutually beneficial, allowing photographers to enhance their portfolios.
• 😀 Networking on social media is key for photographers to showcase their work and attract dancers, especially in the younger age ranges.
• 😀 Photographers should begin working with amateur dancers and gradually move up to pre-professional and professional levels as their portfolio and reputation grow.
• 😀 Gaining experience with smaller dance companies and studios can help build credibility, eventually leading to opportunities with larger, more established companies.
• 😀 When approaching large dance companies, photographers should present their portfolios creatively and focus on the artistic value they can bring, rather than offering just technical photography skills.
• 😀 It’s important to approach the marketing department of a dance company directly, not just the theater, as they handle the promotion and marketing of the company.
• 😀 Documentary dance photography is more challenging because companies control access to rehearsal spaces, so photographers need to find ways to get permission and build a portfolio through collaboration.
• 😀 Building relationships with dance schools, especially conservatories, can lead to opportunities for photographing rehearsals and productions. These connections can eventually lead to work with major dance companies.
• 😀 The photography of performances and rehearsals can also be lucrative, especially when dancers’ families buy prints as keepsakes. Photographers can offer their work for sale to generate income.
• 😀 Photographers should aim to create artwork with each photo, not just take pictures. Every image should be a masterpiece, capturing the passion and artistry of dance in a way that resonates with viewers.

Q & A

What is the first step in becoming a successful dance photographer?

The first step is to build a solid portfolio of dance photography. This should include clear, precise images that showcase the dancer's technique, allowing potential clients and companies to understand your style and skills.

How can a dance photographer attract potential clients or dancers?

A dance photographer can attract potential clients by having a strong social media presence. Dancers and their parents are often active on social media, making it an effective platform for showcasing work and building connections.

Why is it important for a photographer to collaborate with dancers at various skill levels?

Collaborating with dancers at different skill levels allows the photographer to build a diverse portfolio. It also helps the photographer gain experience and develop a network of contacts, which can lead to more opportunities.

What is the significance of approaching dancers with an offer of collaboration instead of charging them initially?

Offering collaboration instead of charging upfront helps build a relationship and gain trust. It also allows both parties to benefit, as the photographer receives images for their portfolio, while the dancer gets professional photographs in return.

How should a photographer approach dance companies to offer their services?

A photographer should approach the marketing department of the dance company, not just the theater. Presenting a creative portfolio and explaining what makes the photographer’s work unique can help differentiate them from other photographers.

What role do schools and conservatories play in a dance photographer's career?

Schools and conservatories are essential in building a photographer’s reputation. By offering their services to these institutions, photographers can gain exposure, which leads to further opportunities in the professional dance world.

How can dance photographers work with small companies to gain experience?

Dance photographers can start by working with small companies or small-scale performances. These opportunities often don’t have large budgets, but photographers can offer their work for free or at a discounted rate in exchange for permission to sell images to dancers or their families.

What are the primary differences between studio photography and documentary-style dance photography?

Studio photography focuses on controlled settings, where lighting and composition are carefully managed to highlight the dancer’s technique. Documentary photography, on the other hand, captures real, unposed moments of dance, often in rehearsal or performance settings, and usually requires special access.

How do dance photographers progress from working with amateurs to professionals?

Dance photographers should start by working with amateur dancers and gradually move up to more professional levels. As their portfolio grows, they can approach more established dancers, pre-professional schools, and eventually, professional companies.

What advice is given for dance photographers regarding their creative approach to each photo shoot?

Photographers should aim to create more than just photos; they should create works of art. Each image should be unique, telling a story or capturing the essence of the dancer, rather than just documenting a moment.