[hannan]

Hi Leela,

I am not at all photogenic and have had to train myself a lot to get a decent picture. I have friends who could be gutting a fish in their overalls and still photograph like Giselle Bundchen (hello, Dharlene!), so I can sympathize with you.

I strongly recommend hiring a make-up artist. It is well worth the money. If you don't use a make-up artist, be sure play with highlighting the contours of your face and always wear false eyelashes. Keep your face relaxed and eyes open.

Regarding poses, I prefer dance pictures that feature movement. I usually pick a handful of preplanned poses and move between two of them at a time. That way, even if I am going into a pose, there is still a sense of movement.

Don't try to get ten thousand different poses. I am happy if I get 5 or 6 great shots out of a three hour shoot, but I am also ridiculously picky.

A good photographer will help pose you and tell you what is working.

Practice poses in front of the mirror and be sure to really exaggerate all twists and curves. Photography really flattens the body, so you have to create dramatic S-curves. You should be sore after a shoot from manipulating your body so much.

Are you doing your shoot with Sarah Skinner? I think you're in her neck of the woods. I love her work.

good luck!
Hannan

p.s. I love Rowland S. Howard, too!