Thread: Best belly dance photography

This is sort of a fan-thread for us to display our favorite belly dance photographs. Photographers, please contribute! Lets see lots and lots of pictures!

Let's talk about best practices for poses, lighting and effects too.
..g.:

I'm trying to get some ideas for an upcoming photo shoot.

Thanks!

Sarah Skinner is top of the line in my book. Sarah Skinner the dance photographer | Shakemyday

Erik Dong

Of course, I nominate my boyfriend Stacy, because he makes me "hot" in more ways than one ..g.:

Sorry, couldn't resist!

I would also give my left arm to shoot with Jerry Bezdikijian of NYC. He's a digital wizard and uses his PhotoShop skillz to create true masterpieces. And I love how he poses his models....so sensual, yet refined:

Stellar Indigo 718.793.8785

Gabriel Bienczycki (who's shot Bhuz's PhillyRaqs and Shahrzad).

belly dancer at #14 of 25 in People

belly dancers at #9 of 25 in Movement

I was the first belly dancer (he did the double veil shot) with whom he did studio work in '05.

btw, I love your hair, Tanya! It's making me want to get a long shag cut again!

Pixie!
http://www.bhuz.com/forum/rest-belly...-schedule.html
Rosette

Of course, I have to add (in addition to the already great ones mentioned above)...

MICHAEL BAXTER

JERRY BARMORE

NAM

RICHARD NAGLE

BRIAN JANES

MIKE GORDON

(I'll think of more... oh, and sorry for "yelling via typing" hahahehe:))

I love Jerry Bezdikian!

[IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][IMG]

And Aonochi of Maine - (I apologize if I didn't spell this right)

[IMG][/IMG]
[IMG][/IMG]
Hope this wasn't too many pics..g.:

As for inspiration, don't forget to look through catalogues, fashion magazines, music videos, movies....whatever! And don't limit yourself strictly to belly dance photogs, either. Inspiration is everywhere. If you really want something one-of-a-kind, it never hurts to widen the aperture, so to speak!

Personally, I'd kill to replicate something kinda like the scene where Lady Gaga comes out of the pool at dusk, flanked by two bad-ass great danes. So totally not in my budget or capabilities, though!

Ok, gotta send some love out for my dance partner and photographer extraordinaire Laura Scotten, check out her dance album with gorgeous shots of Bozenka, Tamalyn Dallal, Nath Keo and many other beautiful artists:

Dance! - Images | Laura Scotten Photography

these are all beautiful..I've worked with Sarah Skinner, she is top notch professional. Also love Aura Evans here on bhuz. Ling Jang has beautiful work. Love all of Carrara's /Stacy's photos. What happened to JShane? Love M. Baxter and JZ on facebook. Love all of you for the inspiration.

Veiled Visions

Lina's site.

Sarah taught me so much about emotion in photos..something I have not mastered yet but she taught me a LOT. Carrara, I study her body angles love love love her

when Lina was in Hawaii we did a shoot for fun..i was pregnant with Zack and was painted up topless in green paint and ran around in the jungle with flowers and dunked in waterfalls and stuff. It was a blast.

Samira Hafezi from Toronto: ..:: Samira Hafezi Photography ::.. ..g.:





Qamar

Surida, I'm laughing, remembering something about that Jerry B pic of you in the gold costume w/red gauntlets. That's on a card that was sitting on my desk on my daughter Rose's wedding day. A little girl guest came to me with it, handed it to me and said "WHO is THAT?" I said, "That's my friend Surida," and she said (sounding a bit scandalized), "WHY is she DRESSED like THAT?" I smiled kindly and said, "She's wearing a belly dancing costume." Of course later that day at the reception the child witnessed a fabulous hour of . . . belly dancing by Alia! And you were there too dancing in a regular dress and I bet she didn't connect you with "that woman" in the photo. (Now that little girl will probably grow up to be a dancer...l;,)
Rosette

Originally Posted by Rosette

Surida, I'm laughing, remembering something about that Jerry B pic of you in the gold costume w/red gauntlets. That's on a card that was sitting on my desk on my daughter Rose's wedding day. A little girl guest came to me with it, handed it to me and said "WHO is THAT?" I said, "That's my friend Surida," and she said (sounding a bit scandalized), "WHY is she DRESSED like THAT?" I smiled kindly and said, "She's wearing a belly dancing costume." Of course later that day at the reception the child witnessed a fabulous hour of . . . belly dancing by Alia! And you were there too dancing in a regular dress and I bet she didn't connect you with "that woman" in the photo. (Now that little girl will probably grow up to be a dancer...l;,)
Rosette

Thanks for sharing that! Bet she was dancing that day with the rest of the crowd!
BTW that pic of Rose by Pixie is absolutely amazing!!!

Blast from the past! Pics from the 60s by Maurice Seymour of New York ,r:;..g.:

at this gallery: Bellydancers and Harem Girls - Dancer Gallery



Qamar

In the UK, I nominate Tracey Gibbs (Bhuz's Traceylove) Here's some of her work: Welcome*-*Taste Of Cairo

I nominate myself even though my fellow dancers think I'm the world's worst photographer because I manage to capture their worst expressions.

Shimmyathon Gala Show

No studio work. Just the troupe paparazzo.

Lovin' them all. More please...

Well this is my lucky shot I took. I say lucky because a fraction of a second before this the spot light was on the dancer and the shot might have lost it's mysterious feel about it.

Seconding the request to keep 'em coming -- I love seeing everyone's pictures! Tanya, I just love that first image.

I've had great experiences working with local photographers, most of whom don't specialize in dance photography. Here are some of my favourites (click for full versions).

SRC Imaging



Ron Hiner



Elise Gannett



Blake Robinson

Michael Baxter.

Originally Posted by Qamar60

Blast from the past! Pics from the 60s by Maurice Seymour of New York ,r:;..g.:

at this gallery: Bellydancers and Harem Girls - Dancer Gallery



Qamar

Oooh, I love these!

In the UK, I nominate Tracey Gibbs (Bhuz's Traceylove) Here's some of her work: Welcome*-*Taste Of Cairo

Took the words out of my mouth.

My best friend has also just put me in touch with this lady who shoots the BDSS on their London tours:

Polstar* Photography- powered by SmugMug

Don't forget Lena Regina from Arkansas!

Originally Posted by Lauren_

Sarah Skinner is top of the line in my book. Sarah Skinner the dance photographer | Shakemyday

Yes! Workshop w Sarah Plattsburgh NY May 2010! [shameless promoting] She can also arrange photo shoots here if advance notice.

And, wow! these are fantastic!! What a nice way to start my day

Originally Posted by Qamar60

Samira Hafezi from Toronto: ..:: Samira Hafezi Photography ::.. ..g.:

Qamar

I second Samira!!

All the pictures on my site were taken by her and a big shout out to Azhia for the awesome make-up! --> www.salomestar.com

I 3rdrdrd Samira.
We love working together with our Montrèal stars.

I must also give a shout out to Audra Evans and Cassandra Panek.
These ladies know their stuff and heavenly to work with.

I had a photo shoot recently with a local photographer, Roberta Mislevy. I like her pix: