2023 Pas de Deux Dance Photo Competition
Pas de Deux Photo is committed to elevating the art of dance photography. We are excited to announce 2023 Pas de Deux Dance Photography Competition. The competition is a fun and exciting celebration of dance photography. It is open to photographers from around the world.
Entries can be from any year. Only images that placed in the Top 15 of any category of the 2021 or 2022 competitions are not eligible. Submissions must include at least 5 individual images (a Series entry counts as one image toward the Grand Prize qualification) to qualify for the Grand Prize. There is no additional cost to qualify for the Grand Prize. By submitting five or more separate entries, you are automatically entered into the Grand Prize competition.
The images entered into the competition that make the final round will be reviewed by a unique jury of professional dancers and dance photographers featuring Martha Graham dancer Anne O'Donnell, Nashville Ballet dancer Marissa Stark, dance photographers Steven Vandervelden and Tanya Daniel, and Lisa Mallis of PhotoDay.
Winners of the photo competition will be announced at the Welcome Reception of the Pas de Deux Dance Photography Conference at The Hilton Chicago on July 21-23. Finalists, roughly the Top 50 or so in each category, will be announced in June.
For more detailed information on the rules and how to prepare your images for submission, please read our Terms & Conditions and our FAQs.
There will be a late entry through April 2, 2023.
2022 Grand Prize Winner Jennifer Curry Wingrove
2023 Jurors
Anne O'Donnell
Marissa Stark
Lisa Mallis
Steven Vandervelden
Tanya Daniel
Categories
Studio Portraits. Studio portraits are defined by images created in a photography studio using natural light or strobes or any other type of lighting. Images photographed in a dance studio with studio lighting and a backdrop in a way that resembles a photo studio session.
Performance Photos. These would be shots from rehearsals or live performances using stage lighting. Any performance shots where the photographer supplements the lighting with their own lighting should be in the On-Location Portraits or Fine Art.
On-Location Portraits. These portraits can be photographed at any location indoors or outdoors that is not a photography studio. Lighting can be used in these images, or it may be natural lighting.
Fine Art Portraits. These portraits may have been shot in a studio, on location, or at a performance or rehearsal. These may be composites. These images may also be eligible for the other categories, and yet submitted to the fine art category.
Teen Dance Portraits. These portraits may be studio portraits or on-location portraits, but they may not be portraits that would be classified as Fine Art. These should be taken of a dancer (or dancers) aged 13-19 years old at the time of the shoot.
Children & Preteen Dance Portraits. These portraits may be studio portraits or on-location portraits, but they may not be portraits that would be classified as Fine Art. These should be taken of a dancer (or dancers) aged 12 years old or younger at the time of the shoot.
Dance Photo Series. This is a series of 4-7 images that share a theme or concept.
Grand Prize Winner. The Grand Prize Winner is evaluated based on their body of work submitted to the competition, regardless of the category or categories. Must submit 5 or more images to be considered for the Grand Prize Award.
Prizes
GRAND PRIZE WINNER
Total Value: $2734
Stella Pro Lights Reflex Studio Light ($649)
B&H Photo: $200 Gift Card
PhotoDay: $100 Gift Card for Roberts Camera
Savage Universal: 2 Free Canvas or Muslin backdrops (total value $600)
Sew Trendy Accessories: $250 Gift Card
Harlequin Floors: $100
Bay Photo: 24x36 Metal Print ($255)
H+H Color Lab: 24x36 Edge Block Print ($309)
McKenna Pro: 24x36 Art Block ($170)
DONE.Photos: $100 Gift Card
CATEGORY WINNERS
Total Value: $448
Pas de Deux Photo: $150
Roberts Camera: $50 Gift Card
B&H Photo: $50 Gift Card
Bay Photo: 16x24 Metal Print ($104)
McKenna Pro: 8x10 Art Block ($33)
H+H Color Lab: 8x12 Acrylic Print with Aluminum DiBond Backing ($61)
2023 Competition Sponsors
2022 Competition Results
2022 Grand Prize Winner
Jennifer Curry Wingrove
2022 On Location Portraits Winner
Susan Gietka
2022 Studio Portrait Winner
Jingzi Zhao
2022 Fine Arts Portraits Winner
Brad Winegar
2022 Portrait Series Winner
Susan Gietka
2022 Performance Portrait Winner
Scott Serio
2022 Teen Dance Portraits Winner
Andrew Bowen
2022 Children and Preteen Dance Winner
Melina McGrew
Hear from the Competition Winners!
Check out this interview with 2022 Competition winner Jingzi Zhao. Jingzi shares her approach to dance photography.
We're always fascinated by the creative process. Watch this video to hear from 2022 two-category winner Susan Gietka on how these winning images were created .