Thread: Non-studio promotional pictures

So, I tried to hire a semi-pro photographer to take some nice new photos of me for promotional purposes. She flaked out so I am off to find something else. ,m::

Fortunately my beau just got a new DSLR and he is a very talented photographer...(you should see some of his pictures from when we were in Istanbul.) Anyway, he is willing to take some pictures of me and I have no doubt that they will look professional.

The only question I have is about the setting. We don't exactly have a studio and IMO homemade studios always look homemade. So I was thinking we could take some outside shots at Duke Gardens. That's where all the brides get their shots. Is it appropriate to have promotional shots in a natural settings? Will it look ok? I just don't really think of belly dancing as an outdoor thing. (Although my gig last night was outside).

I have no doubt that these will look professional, but is it appropriate? Should I try to find a studio?

For promotional use studio or stage pictures look better then outdoor pictures. At least to me, I find a bellydancer in cabaret costume on a beach or in a park look out of place. Tribal costumes in outdoor setting look better because most of the time tribal is done on renfairs and such.

It's all about the mood that you want to set. Do you want people to think of you as the type to do a lot of outdoor events, it might be fine. If you're looking for restaurant gigs or want to participate in staged shows, you're better off with studio or stage pictures.

Here's an idea: if your hubby is willing to experiment with taking studio shots, you can hire a studio and go crazy with the lights/backgrounds. It's cheaper then hiring a pro photographer.

My personal preference would be a studio look, but I think a well done outdoor shot would be OK...
That being said, do you have a garage? My North-facing garage gets fabulous lighting with the garage door up. I put up a piece of black fabric as a backdrop (hang it from the clips on the wall we hang yard tools on), and on several occasions I have had a hard time with picking up my prints taken there without a "photographer's release"! I am going to *try* to post a couple of links to pics I took there, now mind you I am not a pro photographer by any means...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...ofIMG_6484.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...ofIMG_7544.jpg
These two are a little overexposed, could have been fixed in photoshop or by moving a little farther back from the open garage door, just posting for an idea.

I personally loooooove well done outdoor pics. I'm planning a gorgeous shoot on a rocky beach this summer, because I feel inspired by the ocean and I want something original that will stand out from the soft focus/black backdrop pictures that everybody else in my area seems to have.

From an artistic standpoint, I think there's something magically sensual about the juxtaposition of our sparkly costumes (something polished) and a gorgeous outdoor setting (something a little rough). Especially if you're wearing a costume that picks up the color of the rocks and sand, or if you're trailing a big blue veil behind you in the ocean breeze....soooooo pretty! It's a successful formula in music videos and fashion photography for a reason!

For me, I see professional photos as an opportunity to express your creative side, to give audiences a good look at your glorious face and body, and show who you really are. Your performance shots are what show you "at work." As long as you have a solid library of dance shots, I'd say you can get away with some nice head shots and figure study type pictures. In fact, I welcome the variety. You can still capture a great deal of your onstage persona in posed shots or in pictures with light movement.

I'd say have fun and feel free to experiment. Can't wait to see the results!

I just love duke gardens and I think those pictures would be lovely...in front of the many fountains, the terraces, the bridges, and ahhh the tulips! I hope we're not too late for the tulips! Tulips remind me of istanbul... :) These pictures of Duke Gardens were taken on our 5th date! Picasa Web Albums - Megan - Duke Gardens

Thanks for everyone's input...honestly, I am tired of the plain black or plain white studio shots with smoke or a fan blowing or something. I like more creativity. But I do think it would be cool to play around in a studio...

But my boyfriend is off to China for a few weeks so I'll have to wait until he gets back...definately too late for tulips. Might be too hot too!

Ooooooooooh how beautiful!

You might have missed the tulips, but the roses, the magnolias and the peonies will be in bloom before you know it :)

Kudos for doing something different. I'm sure you'll look great!

I think you can do some nice pictures in the garden, but studio shots will give you more versatility in how they can be used. If you want to remove the background to use for biz cards or web, it will be much easier to do if the backdrop is just a black (or white, or grey...) screen. I guess it depends on what you want to use the pics for.

Why not experiment with both? Studio rental isn't cheap, but it's certainly affordable if your just looking for a couple of hours (make sure you ask about use of lights and equipment in the rental price--it's not always included). You could use the morning light in the garden, then shoot some studio pics in the afternoon. Sounds like a great day!

I think a natural setting is nice too..I would love having some done on a beach or by a waterfall...

I personally love the pics the photographer took. She did a wonderful job with mine as well. Doing them in the studio w/ the fan blowing, ect made me feel like a "movie star" LOL

You will need to experiment alot because lighting is tough esp for us "pro photogs"

Good luck!

What a lovely child.

Originally Posted by khalima

My personal preference would be a studio look, but I think a well done outdoor shot would be OK...
That being said, do you have a garage? My North-facing garage gets fabulous lighting with the garage door up. I put up a piece of black fabric as a backdrop (hang it from the clips on the wall we hang yard tools on), and on several occasions I have had a hard time with picking up my prints taken there without a "photographer's release"! I am going to *try* to post a couple of links to pics I took there, now mind you I am not a pro photographer by any means...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...ofIMG_6484.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...ofIMG_7544.jpg
These two are a little overexposed, could have been fixed in photoshop or by moving a little farther back from the open garage door, just posting for an idea.

Originally Posted by Shalimah

What a lovely child.

Thank you :)

Originally Posted by shimmygoddess

I think a natural setting is nice too..I would love having some done on a beach or by a waterfall...

I personally love the pics the photographer took. She did a wonderful job with mine as well. Doing them in the studio w/ the fan blowing, ect made me feel like a "movie star" LOL

You will need to experiment alot because lighting is tough esp for us "pro photogs"

Good luck!

Yeah, your pics are great (esp with your smoking hot costumes)...sadly I just can't afford your photographer... ;)

Basically, I am trying to have the professional look without spending lots of money. Let's see if that is possible!

Not a big fan of outdoor settings for bellydance photos, for the most part, at least when you're wearing a costume full of fringe and beadwork and crystals and sequins. It just doesn't look right to me, and ends up looking amateurish and unplanned. Maybe I've just seen too many photos where the dancer has squinty eyes from the sun's glare and have that quality of being taken by a friend with any digital camera. Maybe it's the dichotomy of having this super glamorous and blinged-out creature next to something I associate with natural and unaltered by humans, like trees or the ocean or rocks. Tribal looks great outdoors because it's earthy, and the textiles used in the costuming often come from Mother Nature herself, so an exotic and nymphy-looking tribal creature romping through the woods is a good fit.

But Nanna Candalaria has some great outdoor shots that look very retro and artsy. Check out her site (my fave is the one where it looks as if she's holding up the pillars):
Bellydance by Nanna || Gallery

I'd say if you're gonna do an outdoor shoot, pick a really intentional place like Nanna has and make it artsy looking (it also helps that Nanna doesn't wear super blingy costumes. Hers are simple and go nicely with the natural surroundings). Not just a pose next to a tree or something- it makes the photo look too unplanned and unpolished. Speaking of poses- I think it's better not to when outdoors. The classic bellydancer poses just don't work outdoors. Keep it natural, like you were already there doing something and were caught in a moment by a camera you weren't aware of.

Originally Posted by SummerSahar

Not a big fan of outdoor settings for bellydance photos, for the most part, at least when you're wearing a costume full of fringe and beadwork and crystals and sequins. It just doesn't look right to me, and ends up looking amateurish and unplanned. Maybe I've just seen too many photos where the dancer has squinty eyes from the sun's glare and have that quality of being taken by a friend with any digital camera. Maybe it's the dichotomy of having this super glamorous and blinged-out creature next to something I associate with natural and unaltered by humans, like trees or the ocean or rocks. Tribal looks great outdoors because it's earthy, and the textiles used in the costuming often come from Mother Nature herself, so an exotic and nymphy-looking tribal creature romping through the woods is a good fit.

This kind of sums up my feelings about outdoor BD shoots. I find that when the photos are taken somewhere beautiful like Red Rocks, I find myself looking more at the gorgeous scenery than the dancer. I think they can be beautiful pictures, but I don't think they're the best for professional promotional purposes. I think there are exceptions to the rule (Eshe's woodland shots come to mind), but I think you need an exceptionally good photographer, the perfect costume and a physically stunning dancer for it to all gel together.

I don't mean this in a mean or snarky way, but when I see outdoor BD shoots, my first impression is that the dancer didn't want to spend the money for professional studio work. It's probably an unfair assumption, but I'm just being honest about where my mind goes.

here is a gorgeous outdoor pic: Title Page - Amira Belly Dance

sadie had some great outdoor pics on her website, if they're still there.

I think outdoor shots have great potential. I also like how they can give regional flavor to the shot. oreet's pic of herself busting out dancing in her hipscarf on a new york street comes to mind. I hope to take some pics this summer near my house, where there is a gorgeous view of the seattle skyline across the water. I think a shot of me with the space needle in the background would be fun.

Originally Posted by laura 2

I don't mean this in a mean or snarky way, but when I see outdoor BD shoots, my first impression is that the dancer didn't want to spend the money for professional studio work. It's probably an unfair assumption, but I'm just being honest about where my mind goes.

In this case you are right! :)

I think the quality of the equipment and the photographers ability to use the equipment has a lot to do with whether or not a picture comes out looking amateurish or artsy. My beau knows about lighting, the best time of day to go out, all that stuff. I think it all depends on the model and the photographer working in harmony to maximize the potential. I mean face it, you'll never get a professional looking shot from a point and shoot camera.

I really like Amira's photo on her home page...Something like that...

Wow, am I making a big-time faux pas by booking a high-fashion, expensive shoot on a breathtaking rocky beach this summer? Will the fact that I'm in an outdoor setting completely trump the superb photography and the gorgeous settings?

You guys are making me very nervous......w.:

I want to be taken seriously as an artist, but I'm so allergic to soft focus lighting, drama poses and black backdrops it's not even funny......cr.:

Originally Posted by elisagamal

sadie had some great outdoor pics on her website, if they're still there.

Sadie totally makes outdoor shots work. I LOVE the ones of her sitting in the water in a simple gypsy skirt, coin belt and choli top, with her skirt splayed out around her. Her outdoor pics are so high-gloss and fashion-y!

Originally Posted by SatinWorship19

Wow, am I making a big-time faux pas by booking a high-fashion, expensive shoot on a breathtaking rocky beach this summer? Will the fact that I'm in an outdoor setting completely trump the superb photography and the gorgeous settings?

You guys are making me very nervous......w.:

Don't be nervous, and you aren't making a mistake. Everyone has their own opinion, but yours is the most important. If *you* want a rocky beach and an outdoor setting, then that's what you should have. There are stunning dancer promotional photos taken in every imaginable setting. (Of course, there are lousy ones in the same places). Using an outdoor setting will not automatically make your images lousy any more than it will automatically make them good. If you have a good photographer, good setting, good lights, good poses etc., you will likely have good images.

Go for the rocky beach. Take a veil. Or 6.

-bakhtiyaar

Thanks, Bhaktiyaar. That's my vote and I'm sticking to it. I've seen studio shots that look lifeless and amateurish, and outdoor shots that look like something out of a fashion mag. (Can you say Eshe on the beach? ..g.: ). In my little worldview, being just slightly outside the box trumps following any formula for success.

I never knew outdoor pics were viewed as gauche, when so many top-notch dancers have such fabulous ones on their pages! But now I know everything I need to be mindful of when I talk to photographers and go on my shoot, so I don't look like a cliche.

I think I will bring all six veils, thankyouverymuch.

Check out Vasha Hatal's outdoor photo (shot by Cassandra Panek of Synthetic Shadows; my Raq the Camera partner in crime). It's STUNNING. We also did the video for her EPK outdoors and it turned out nice. If you have a trusted photographer who can work outdoors, go for it!

Lise, rocky beach?? Not a problem if it's done well!!

Wowwwwwwwwww...Vasha looks STUNNING! Those pics are beautifully composed, well lit, and masterfully done. If I were a client, those pics would stand out at the top of the pile.

Yes, Candy Azh. A rocky beach. Could be dangerous, but there's tons of flat expanses of rock with all kinds of cool natural patterns on them, lots of boulders in the middle of the water, a sandy crescent-shaped beach for when I wimp out, some salt marshes with funky tall grass, and a wooded trail en route to the spot. The place screams photo op, at 500 decibels.

I love those outdoor shots....

I am also a professional photographer and most of my work is done outdoors. I don't do alot of dancers though but would if they requested.

I think each setting has a different feel...it is nice to have some of both. I have seen boring studio shot as well. The photographer/dancer that did all my portraits did a wonderful job. I was so happy to finally have some pics of me that I LOVE!!

A good photographer is just as much an "artist" as is a good dancer. Anyone can take a snapshot, but it takes a creative eye to make it art.

All that said I would love to have outdoor shots done too. I think it looks professional as long as you have it professionally done and not taken by someone with a disposable camera...LOL

Here are some nice inspirationals from Denise Marino, featuring the lovely Shara (now a Dalahl model, and we can see why).

http://www.denisemarinophotos.com/mp_includes/index.asp

Too bad I don't have access to the Egyptian dessert.

those are great!! I think we need to take a field trip there...LOL

Originally Posted by bakhtiyaar

Don't be nervous, and you aren't making a mistake. Everyone has their own opinion, but yours is the most important. If *you* want a rocky beach and an outdoor setting, then that's what you should have. There are stunning dancer promotional photos taken in every imaginable setting. (Of course, there are lousy ones in the same places). Using an outdoor setting will not automatically make your images lousy any more than it will automatically make them good. If you have a good photographer, good setting, good lights, good poses etc., you will likely have good images.

Go for the rocky beach. Take a veil. Or 6.

-bakhtiyaar

I agree - the outdoor shots aren't my cup of tea personally, but everyone has different tastes. Just like how some dancers love the sexiness and minimalism of a Sahar, and others think they look sleazy or cheaply made. It would be pretty boring here on Bhuz if we all had the same opinions about everything.

i have a few outdoor shots as well. i have more but i haven't loaded them all up on my website.
http://marylandbellydance.com/amarti...dancer/p07.jpg
this one needs to be cropped better but you get the idea:
http://marylandbellydance.com/amarti...dancer/p37.jpg

Originally Posted by andalee-oriental

Here are some nice inspirationals from Denise Marino, featuring the lovely Shara (now a Dalahl model, and we can see why).

http://www.denisemarinophotos.com/mp_includes/index.asp

Too bad I don't have access to the Egyptian dessert.

Thanks :) Denise is AMAZING to work with!!!

imo, Satin's pics are an example of how TO do outdoor shots. i've also seen others where the outsideness is distracting. i think:
1: the background has to be simple. in the woods with messy mess (downed trees, rotting leaves, rock-slides, etc) for a background is nothing like a manicured beach. it's easy to find busy backgrounds outside, instead look for backgrounds that are fairly homogeneous, like a wall of solid vines, a white sand beach, repetitive architecture (like a row of arches) etc.
2: the setting should be "exotic". if it looks like your neighbors vegetable garden it won't look good. if it looks like an ornamental garden that belongs to the sultan of Turkey then go for it.
3: you should stand out from the background. that's the same as for indoor shots and performances. for example: if you're going to take pictures in the snow don't wear a white costume. lighting and focus will play into that so the skill of the photographer is important, but so is planning your costume choices with the location and possible settings in mind. eta: this is more than color. if you have a very textured costume, like leopard print for example, you need a less textured background. if your background is full of texture, like a white capped ocean or a lot of bolders, it's good to have a "smoother" costume, in the bolder example maybe something like the Samia Gamal costume that's been posted for oogling.

i hope that's helpful

My first promo photos were actually taken on the beach (see front page of website) and I have a few outdoor photos on my website gallery. All were taken with a professional photographer, so it wasn't exactly "skipping out on studio costs."

I think Fariha made some very good points about how to nail outdoor shoots...