Private Session
Prep Guide
Everything you need to feel prepared, confident, and ready to create during your private dance photography session.
You don’t need to have everything figured out.
This guide is here to help you prepare, not give you homework. Bring your ideas, your favorite wardrobe options, and anything that inspires you. I’ll guide you through posing, movement, lighting, and creative decisions throughout the session so we can build something that feels completely personal to you.
Give yourself a few minutes before we start.
Plan to arrive about 10 minutes before your scheduled session. This gives you time to get settled, organize your wardrobe, and properly stretch and warm up before we begin photographing.
Dance photography can include jumps, extensions, turns, floorwork, and other physical movement. Arriving early gives your body time to warm up without using your scheduled photography time.
Your photography time begins at the scheduled start time, so arriving a little early helps us make the most of every minute together.
Bring your favorites.
Explore mine too.
Wardrobe plays a big part in how your images look and feel. Bring pieces that make you feel confident, allow you to move, and fit the kind of images you’re hoping to create.
Bring Options
Bring several outfits you love. We’ll look through everything together and choose the strongest combinations based on your session length, ideas, and available time.
Use the Studio Wardrobe
You’re welcome to incorporate available pieces from the DFW Dance Photography wardrobe. We can mix them with your own clothing or build an entirely different look.
Think About Movement
Flowing fabrics, fitted dancewear, skirts, jackets, and textured pieces can all photograph differently. Variety gives us more possibilities when we start creating.
Available Studio Wardrobe
Here’s a look at pieces currently available in the studio.
You are never required to use anything from the studio collection. Sizes, fit, and availability vary, so I always recommend bringing your own favorite pieces as well. A nude or neutral base layer can also make wardrobe changes easier when appropriate.
A little preparation
goes a long way.
Taking care of a few details before you arrive means we can spend more of your session creating, experimenting, and photographing.
Hair & Makeup
Plan to arrive with your primary hair and makeup look finished before your scheduled session time.
You’re welcome to make small adjustments or changes during the shoot, but major hair or makeup changes will use part of your scheduled photography time.
- Bring your preferred makeup for touch-ups
- Bring any specialty hair products you personally use
- Consider how your hairstyle will work with different outfits
- Choose a look that makes you feel confident and still feels like you
What to Bring
There’s no need to pack your entire closet. Bring enough variety that we have options, and we’ll decide together what works best.
- Your favorite wardrobe options
- Dance shoes, including pointe shoes if applicable
- Accessories you may want to incorporate
- Meaningful or creative props you’d like to explore
- Personal makeup or hair products for touch-ups
- Inspiration, poses, or concepts saved on your phone
- A nude or neutral base layer when helpful for wardrobe changes
A few extras are already waiting for you.
Forgot a hair tie or need a quick wardrobe adjustment? No problem. I keep several helpful basics at the studio, along with complimentary drinks to enjoy during your session.
One more tip: Avoid trying a completely new hairstyle, makeup look, or wardrobe choice for the first time on shoot day. You’ll photograph your best when you feel comfortable and confident in what you’re wearing.
Bring ideas.
You don’t need a shot list.
Inspiration is always welcome, but you do not need to plan every pose before you arrive. Your session is collaborative, and part of the fun is discovering what we can create together.
Start with what you already do well.
Think about movements, shapes, skills, or qualities that feel especially strong and natural to you. That could be a jump, extension, turn, floorwork, pointe work, expressive movement, or something completely different.
You’re also welcome to save inspiration from Instagram, Pinterest, choreography, previous photoshoots, or images that simply have a mood, color, or feeling you love.
Inspiration gives us a starting point. We don’t need to copy another photograph exactly. We’ll use your ideas to create something that feels like you.
What to expect once we start creating.
You’re not expected to walk in knowing exactly what to do. I’ll guide the process while leaving plenty of room for your personality, movement, and ideas.
We’ll Look at Your Ideas
We’ll talk through wardrobe, inspiration, goals, and anything from your questionnaire that gives us a great place to start.
I’ll Guide You
I’ll help with posing, placement, angles, movement, and small adjustments so you never have to wonder what to do next.
We’ll Review as We Go
We can look at images throughout the session so you can see what’s working, make adjustments, and be part of the creative process.
We’ll Build From There
Some of my favorite images happen when one idea leads to another. We can change lighting, wardrobe, movement, or direction as the session develops.
Your job is not to direct the photoshoot. Come prepared to move, collaborate, and have fun. I’ll take care of guiding the photography and helping us turn your ideas into images you’ll love.
Quick session checklist.
You don’t need to bring everything imaginable. These are simply the essentials worth double-checking before you head out.
What happens next?
Once we finish creating, I’ll take care of the rest and guide you through selecting your favorite images.
Your Proof Gallery
You’ll receive an online proof gallery where you can look through the curated images from your session and choose your favorites.
Choose Your Images
Digital images are purchased separately for $45 each unless your booking specifically includes images. Select only the photographs you love.
Professional Retouching
Once your selections and payment are complete, I’ll professionally retouch your chosen images. Final images are generally delivered within approximately two weeks.
Come ready to be yourself.
You don’t need to arrive with every detail planned.
This is a collaborative experience, and I’ll be there to guide you
from the first frame to the last.
If you have a question, wardrobe idea, or inspiration you’d like me
to see before your session, simply reply to your session email.
I’m always happy to take a look.
I can’t wait to create with you!