How to Improve Dance Photography: 3 Tips for Capturing Performances

Dance performances are a mesmerizing blend of artistry and athleticism, offering photographers a unique challenge in capturing movement, emotion, and storytelling in every frame. Whether it’s shooting a local recital, dance competition or a professional production, nailing the timing, mastering the lighting, and understanding movement are key essentials. Here are some tips on how you can improve your dance photography while capturing dance performances

1. Understand the Performance

Dance is more than just movement; it’s a carefully choreographed story told through every step, spin, and gesture. Capturing this as a photographer requires more than just being present with a camera—it demands preparation and understanding. That’s why, whenever possible, we make it a priority to familiarize ourselves with the performance beforehand. This might involve attending a dress rehearsal, studying the flow of program, or even discussing with the choreographer/s. Knowing what’s coming next gives us the ability to anticipate and time each shot to at least close to perfection. Every performance being unique in its lighting, student levels, costumes, and genres, hence preparation is essential.

While it’s seems like with recent technology, we photographers can hold down the shutter button and rely on burst mode and then sift through hundreds of images later, this approach often sacrifices the artistry of well-timed photography. A fraction of a second can make all the difference (it’ll show!). The peak of a jump, the exact angle of an extension, or the intensity in the dancer’s expression— every frame is different. Hence, watching the performance, even once, do equips us better to capture these moments better!

Dress rehearsals, in particular, provide invaluable insight and value. They allow us to observe the flow of the performance and understand the energy and movement of the performers. In addition, these sessions offer a rare opportunity to document the raw, behind-the-scenes that makes every performance even more special.

2. Prepare the Essential Gear

While it’s often said that “gear doesn’t matter,” the reality is that having the right equipment can make all the difference in capturing exceptional dance performance photos. The right tools provide greater coverage, reach, and reliability—critical factors when dealing with the fast-paced and unpredictable nature of live performances. At Jovious Photography, we rely on top-tier gear like Sony’s Alpha One and Alpha A9 cameras, known for their blackout-free shooting experience. This feature is invaluable for capturing rapid movements, ensuring we don’t miss a moment when the shutter is in action. A versatile range of lenses is equally essential to adapt to the dynamic nature of dance productions. From wide-angle lenses like the 16-35mm to standard zooms like the 24-70mm and telephoto options like the 70-200mm, we’re equipped to cover every angle. Fast prime lenses such as the 35mm, 50mm, or 85mm are also part of our arsenal, offering beautiful depth of field and clarity for close-up shots or dramatic moments.

Reliability is non-negotiable when it comes to storing these precious moments. That’s why we always have backup CFExpress A cards, ensuring every shot is safely captured, no matter how long or demanding the performance. With every engagement, we take it upon ourselves to bring the best gear, not just for its capabilities but for the confidence it gives us to adapt and deliver in any situation. This meticulous preparation reflects our commitment to capturing the artistry of dance at its very best.

3. Practice, Practice & Practice

At the end of the day, dance photography comes down to one thing: practice. I still remember my early days in dance photography. Back then, I was fascinated by Grand Jeté and found myself focusing heavily on capturing those big, dramatic jumps. And clearly, I was wrong (and getting pretty harsh comments). But through the past 10 years, I’ve come to realize that dance photography is about so much more than just the leaps. Having had the privilege to photograph countless performances—from concerts and recitals to examinations and competitions—across genres like Classical, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, and Contemporary, I’ve gained a deeper appreciation for the nuances of each style and the unique artistry every dancer brings to the stage. Watching performers of all ages and skill levels has taught me that every moment on stage is unique.

With each performance being different from the last, and very often without prior knowledge of what a dancer will do, this practice has honed my eye and intuition to better anticipate the right moments. Of course no matter how much experience one has, it’s impossible to capture every dance perfectly, but I make it my personal mission to ensure that every performer has at least a few photos they can be proud of. Every shot is a tribute to the countless hours of practice, effort, and sweat the dancers have poured into their craft. As photographers, we have the honor and responsibility of preserving those moments. It’s not just about snapping a picture—it’s about capturing the culmination of their dedication and passion in a way that resonates for years to come.