Tips: DIY Audition Photos Guide
Do you need a professional photographer or can you do DIY audition photos?
The answer is an emphatic “Maybe.”
Your Headshot
Your headshot is your calling card. It can say much about you, your work ethic, and your personality. I highly recommend getting a professional headshot from someone who works with dancers. There are a lot of subtleties involved. Please do not use an AI-augmented headshot or a selfie.
Your Audition Package
Why might you need a professional? Perhaps your friends and parents can’t get it right. You may want a more polished look to your portfolio. You might perform better in a photography studio environment.
Dancer Tips for DIY Audition Photos.
Have a clean background. You want the reviewer looking at you; don’t make them work to find you against a cluttered background.
Make sure you have enough time. You will not likely get your best shot on the first go. Make sure you are warmed up properly and not too tired. Audition photos are not something to do at the end of a long day of classes.
Have a leotard that fits and moves with you. A surefire way to hate your arabesque is to have a leotard with stiff mesh or excess fabric on the back that puckers out when you lift through.
It is helpful to see your photos right away on a monitor, and it really helps if your photographer can provide corrections. That way you are working together to get your best lines. Ideally, your photographer will have a decent-sized monitor where you can easily ascertain if you like your images. If your photographer is merely pressing the button, you aren’t getting the support you should have.
Photographer Tips for DIY Audition Photos
First, avoid using self-timers and propping the camera up on the floor (which is a poor location for the camera) or on a chair.
Position your camera as far away as possible and use the optical zoom. Wide-angle lenses create more distortion. The camera should be nearly perpendicular to the floor (parallel to the dancer) and at hip height. This makes the most honest representation of your form. Yes, the lower you get, the longer your legs appear to be. However, to anyone who has looked at enough photos, it will be clear that the camera angle is too low. Don’t require extra effort for the viewer to determine your facility and body type.
Do not ‘fix’ your photo. I don’t care how good you are or how good your friend is. You can clean up a zit or a stray hair or two, but do not alter your body in any way. You risk being seen as dishonest by your peers and the program you are applying to. And no, just because you had a tremendous supporting leg in one photo and a fabulous torso in another, it doesn’t justify merging them into a single image. Do it again, and get it right.
If your camera has AI features—like portrait modes that blur the background, background removal, or automatic softening—turn them off. These tools can raise questions about what the dancer actually achieved and create distractions from your technique.
So, do you need a professional?
Especially early in your career, the crucial thing is correctly translating your technique to the camera. The people viewing your images are accustomed to seeing cellphone images. A well-lit, focused, and composed cell phone image should not be an issue in most programs. As you progress to higher levels, I suggest investing in professional portfolio photos to apply to companies, colleges, and conservatories. You will want additional images, such as jumps and other positions, that showcase your best technique.
I’ve had dancers discuss the frustration of a photo “just not looking right,” and their only recourse was to try again, but without an improvement plan. Not surprisingly, I’ve had parents speak of the same frustration of not being able to help their dancer when it “just doesn’t look good.” If you need or want that extra coaching and beautiful lighting that’s perfect for your body and technique, let’s schedule a time to create an audition package that showcases your best work.
Ready for More Support?
If you’re feeling frustrated with DIY audition photos or just want the confidence of working with someone who understands dancers, let’s talk. In a single session, we can create your audition images, build your portfolio, and even capture creative shots that make you feel proud and excited for your future.