Photoshop & Dancer Mental Health: Keeping Dance Photography Real
Why Authentic Images Build Real Confidence
When a photograph captures a magical moment you worked for, it becomes proof of both your hard work and your artistry. But when Photoshop is used to reshape that reality, the image can whisper that you’re not enough, chipping away at confidence instead of building it. That’s why I keep every line real: so the dancer in the photo and the dancer on the stage are the same inspiring person.
Photoshop is a powerful tool, and it gets more powerful every year. While I’m talking about Photoshop, I’m really referring to all the photo editing tools on our phones and computers. Some can easily reshape a whole person in a matter of seconds. Impressive technology, but not great for our self-image.
More about mental health at my studio:
Why “Real” is a Gift to Your Mental Health
Your well‑being comes first. When your photos accurately reflect your body and artistry, they build confidence. That’s exactly what I want for you.
Real success builds real confidence. That feeling when you finally nail the shot—that’s a real win.
You learn more about how your body moves. Subtle refinements for the camera deepen your awareness of movement.
Your invites are earned. When programs accept you, you’ll know it is for your skills, not my editing.
It’s an endorphin rush. Just like nailing your variation on stage, making it all come together for that 1/2000-second moment is a real high.
A True Story
A friend of mine once photographed a teen dancer for audition photos. The year before, her studio had used a photographer widely believed to “fix” dancers. When her arabesque appeared on the monitor, she teared up and said, “I really am that good.” For a whole year, she’d doubted herself, wondering if she was as good as the dancer in the photos. Even the possibility of retouching had eroded her confidence.
How We Make it Real
The Creative Dance Retreat is built on time and support.
Work your technique. We finesse your lines so the camera sees them at their best.
Build the Story. Your upper body evolves to tell the story you want.
Shape the light. The light shifts in line with your story to accentuate movement and mood.
Dance it for real. When you truly dance in the moment, you will get that moment of magic.
When we put in the work, minimal Photoshop editing is necessary. We will remove any distracting objects, clean up the set, make any color and exposure corrections, and reduce stray hairs and skin blemishes. The dancer in the photo is 100% you.