Dancer Models at Pas de Deux Photo Events
Pas de Deux Photo offers modeling opportunities at our workshops and conferences. Models receive images from all photographers with whom they work. In addition, we provide dance education in a warm and supportive environment. Dancers have the opportunity to meet dancers and photographers from around the world. They are dancing and modeling in a community that values collaboration over competition. It is a fun and creative experience.
Parents are encouraged to join their dancers and required to purchase an Observer Badge and accompany their dancer to all modeling assignments if their dancer will be under 16 during the conference.
Models range in age from 14-99. They do not need to be en pointe. All styles of dance are welcome.
Applications for the 2023 Conference in Chicago are now closed. Dancers who applied using the Priority deadline have been accepted.
Dancers who applied using the regular application will be notified during the first week of March.
Philosophy of Dance Models
We believe in supporting dancer health both physically and psychologically.
This includes a body-positive culture of collaboration and age-appropriate costuming and posing.
Dancers at our events participate in dance classes, team - building and professional development as part of their experience!
Creative Directors
Our Creative Directors are experienced dance professionals.
The directors select dance models for workshops and conferences based on dancer applications.
They also lead dance classes, educate dancers on safety, teach conference classes for photographers and build strong and supportive relationships with dancers. Learn more here.
Pas de Deux Photography Conference is looking for professionals in the dance field who are interested in leading classes/workshops for the dancers who will be modeling at the 2023 conference. PDD aims to create a well-rounded and educational experience for the dancers outside of their modeling schedules. PDD hopes to support dancers in their technique, modeling skills, professional growth, overall health and wellness, and more.
If you have an idea for a class, workshop, or seminar that would benefit our dancers, please complete the application below. We look forward to hearing your ideas! The application closed on January 31, 2023
We will be following up throughout the month of February with applicants. We appreiciate your interest!
DANCE EDUCATORS
Pas de Deux Photography Conference is looking for professionals in the dance field who are interested in helping with the organization and safety of the dancers at the 2023 conference. PDD Dance Mentors have a passion for creating a positive, safe, and educational experience for the dancers who are modeling at the conference. Dance Mentors will also have opportunities to model when not assigned to assist with photo walks and photo shoots.
If the role of a Dance Mentor sounds like a great fit for you, please fill out the application below! The Application closed on January 31, 2023.
We will be following up throughout the month of February with applicants. We appreciate your interest!
DANCE MENTORS
Dance Creative Directors
Jessica Garrett
Dance Creative Director
Miss Jessica began her love for dance while being a part of the competitive show choir ‘Swingsations’ Her love grew while attending Lincoln College on a dance scholarship and being a part of their dance company, Dance Force. Jessica graduated from Lincoln College with her A.A. in Liberal Arts and was awarded the Dance award for outstanding achievements in dance. She then went on to graduate from Columbia College Chicago with her B.A. in Dance. While attending Columbia, Jessica worked for Youth Guidance of America teaching dance in their extended day program at an inner city school in Chicago. Miss Jessica has been sharing her love for dance in the Chicagoland area for the past 10 years. In addition to teaching she also travels to various high schools throughout the country to choreograph show choirs and musicals. Musical choreography credits include: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, The Wiz, The Music Man, Grease, Cinderella Jr., Annie, Seussical, Totally 80’s and Once on This Island. Jessica’s choirs have won numerous awards including Best Choreography in 2011.
Jessica spent her summers performing at Six Flags Great America for 7 seasons where she served as the Dance Captain for 6 years. Miss Jessica continues to share her love for show choir by adjudicating competitions in Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin. Jessica opened Dynamic Perception Dance Company in October of 2012, and has been sharing her love ever since. She has led the DPDCo Dancers to multiple first overall awards, best choreography, best use of staging and props, and a very special award given by one of the stars from "Dance Moms" for Best Sportsmanship & backstage etiquette. The Company was also awarded the prestigious Top Studio award for receiving the overall highest scores amongst other studios in attendance in 2014 & 2016. DPDC was also awarded the ADCC studio of excellence award in 2015. Miss Jessica is thrilled to begin her 10th year with DPDC, and can't wait to see what the future brings.
Alexa Culclasure
Dance Creative Director
Miss Alexa began dancing at age three and never wanted to stop! In the early years, she trained at various studios in central Georgia. She was a company member of the Middle Georgia Youth Ballet and participated in the Nutcracker of Middle Georgia for nine years. Alexa consistently traveled during the summers to train at various programs such as: South Carolina Summer Dance Conservatory, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, Orlando Ballet, North Carolina School of the Arts, Nashville Ballet, and Bates Dance Festival. She earned her BFA in Ballet and Modern Dance from Texas Christian University, where she graduated magna cum laude and performed in works by established artists, such as Carrie Hanson, Susan Jaffe, Loretta Livingston, Sarah Gamblin and many others. While studying at TCU, Alexa served as the Co-Director of Community Outreach and Public Relations for the Chi Tau Epsilon Dance Honor Society.
She performed professionally as a company member of Kim Robards Dance and served a guest choreographer for Life/Art Dance Ensemble. She is a certified Purre Barre instructor and certified Personal Trainer, as well. Alexa is thrilled to continue to be a part of the Dynamic Perception Dance Company faculty and the wonderful Chicagoland dance scene!
Dancers at the conference
Pas de Deux Photo supports dancers by providing modeling opportunities and training through our conference. At the conference, dancers have opportunities to model indoors and outdoors. Dancers work with conference speakers and photographer attendees throughout the weekend. The weekend is warm and encouraging. Dancers have the chance to connect with other dancers from across the country in a supportive and fun environment.
Pas de Deux Photo believes that dance photography is a collaborative effort between a photographer and a dancer. Dancers should be prepared with multiple poses and ideas and be ready to work independently with photographers.
The 2023 Pas de Deux dancer application opened on June 17, 2022. Early applications were due by September 30 and are no longer being accepted.
A second round of applications opened in October and will be reviewed after January 31, 2023. We will be notifying dancers during the first week of March.
Dancers are selected and supported by our Creative Dance Directors, Jessica Garrett, Alexa Culclasure & Gwynn Loud. At the conference, dancers are provided morning warm-up classes, Master classes and workshops on posing and using professional photographs for auditions and on social media.
Dancers attend warmups, dancer-only social events and Master classes independently.
Dance parents wishing to accompany their dancer on photo sessions, lunch and presentations can purchase an Observer Badge. The Observer badge allows parents to view the sessions for which their dancer is modeling. Parents and guardians of dancers under age 16 are required to purchase a badge and attend all modeling sessions with their dancer.
Do you want to learn more about policies and practices regarding dancers and safety? Read more HERE
PC: Ron McKinney
PC: Heather O'Steen
Dancer Model: Elliot Welch
PC: Jenny Rae
Dancer Model: Danielle Brown
PC: Allison Ragsdale