The first annual Pas de Deux Photo Conference featured photographers leading the field.
Jordan Matter has taken dance photography to the top of the NY Times Bestseller List. Rachel Neville and her team have taken the experience of the studio experience to a completely new level. David Hofmann, known as "sharkcookie" on social media, has acquired a prodigious following on social media with both dancers and photographers due to his extraordinary work on location and in the studio, particularly with artistic, edgy lighting.
Canadians Eric Pare and Kim Henry have worked together to create brilliant light-painting portraits using Eric's colorful light tubes. Taylor-Ferne Morris might still have her pointe shoes, but her focus these days is behind the camera in Australia photographing dancers from the Australian Ballet, the Melbourne Ballet and the New Zealand Ballet. Jonathan Givens of EPS Photo published a book titled Dance Across the USA and creates impeccably beautiful artistic portraits in his studio in south Florida and on location everywhere.
Featured Speakers
Jordan Matter
- "How to Build a Popular Dance Photography Brand"
-"How to Take Viral Dance Photos"
- "Selecting the Best Lens and Other Outdoor Photo Tips"
- "How to Publish your Book"
- "Q&A with Jordan Matter"
- Panel: "Helping dancers and studios with branding & marketing"
- on location resort photo walks
- off site photo walk excursion
- Live Ten-minute Challenge
Rachel Neville
Rachel Neville is a New York City-based dance and movement photographer.
Rachel creates unique, powerful, transformative visuals for dance companies and editorial publications that are designed to stop viewers, captivate their imagination and bring them into the theatre.
IG: @rachelneville
David Hofmann
- "Seeing is believing: Everything that goes into making a photo session a success."
- "Less is more! Studio lighting for dancers and athletes"
Panel: "Helping dancers and studios with branding & marketing"
- "Commercial dance photography: Shooting for companies, advertising and commercial clients."
- on location resort photo walks
- off site photo walk excursion
IG: @sharkcookie
Eric Pare
- on-site light-painting demo
- "Studio light-painting workshop"
- "Creative dance photography: capturing movement with one to 154 cameras (such as giant sunset and multi-camera creation)?
- outdoor photo walk
IG: ericparephoto
Jonathan Givens
- "Making the move: the How-to of going pro as a Dance Photographer"
- "Volume Dance Schools - How to run an effective business"
- "Dancing Across The USA - techniques and theory for location shooting"
- Nailed it! - How to get the best shots out of your Dance School Photo Session" Workshop
- High-end Dance Portraiture Workshop
- outdoor photo walks
- book signings
IG: eps_photo
Taylor-Ferne Morris
- "Lighting for Male Dancers: Specific lighting for muscle definition & posing"
- Creating the Perfect Ballet/ Audition CV Photoshoot Workshop
- "Lighting for Dance Photography : short duration flash, lighting accessories and creating texture"
- "Ballet/Dance Knowledge for Photographers"
Speakers
Dave Brewer
- "Deep dive editing for location photos"
- "Shooting Studios and High School Teams "
- "Gear / Tech - Camera / Lens / Lighting / Settings I use 90% of the time and Q & A"
outdoor Photo Walks
IG: DaveBrewer
David Cooper
- "Moving the Camera. How to create cinematic video for dance.
Transitioning from stills to the moving image with dancers"
Judy Host
Judy Host has redefined the portrait photography world with her unique talent for capturing the heart and spirit of each individual she photographs and has earned her the respect and recognition of her colleagues. Her photography has been internationally recognized for its innovative style and technique. Recently her work was selected for exhibition in the Valade Family Gallery in Detroit, MI, the Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento, CA and the Albrecht-Kemper Art Museum in MO. In March 2017, Judy sold her first collection of Ballet images to MGM Resort Int’l for a permanent installation at the Park Theater Monte Carlo Hotel in Las Vegas, NV. Her collection will be the only artwork in the entire building. She is currently working with the Atlanta Ballet Group to create Posters to line the walls of their studio in Atlanta.
IG: Judy.Host
Alexis Cuarezma
Alexis Cuarezma is a Nicaraguan born portrait photographer/director based in the San Francisco Bay Area who specializes in on-location, in-studio portraiture, and stylized narrative short films .
His cultural heritage has proven a prominent influence; as a volatile Nicaragua forced Alexis’ family to emigrate to the U.S. when he was six years old, his vision has been informed by themes of sacrifice—of life, love, and self for the greater good. Muses include French Neoclassical painter Jacques-Louis David and Nicaraguan poets Rigoberto Lopez-Perez and Ruben Dario, as well as his namesake, Alexis Arguello, a professional boxer, three-time world champion, politician— and source of inspiration for Alexis’ involvement in boxing photography.
Distinctions include the PPGBA’s Photographer of the Year 2013, 2012, Portrait Photographer of the Year for five consecutive years (2009-2013), Ted Gurney Portrait of the Year 2012, 2013 and Print of the Year in 2011.
IG: AlexisCuarezma
Ron McKinney
Ron's passion for photography began when he was a journalist with the European Stars & Stripes. His studio in the Chicago suburbs allow him to focus on dance, sports, seniors and family photography. He is the company photographer for many local studios including Ballet Chicago.
This year, he is facilitating workshops at Out of Chicago and ClickCon photography conferences.
He has been published in the online photography magazine, PetaPixel, and in magazines such as Dance Magazine, Pointe, Dance Studio Life Magazine, and has photographed numerous covers for McHenry County Magazine, Kane County Magazine, Suburban Life Magazine, and others.