Last week we photographed the 2016 Baltimore Dancesport Challenge held at the BWI Westin. After all the dancing was over, all that’s left are the photos! So, we came back, sorted them by number, and posted for you to see.
Thanks to Marielle Pabon for inviting us to cover her event again this year. Although our company covered the 2015 event, I had to send a substitute. By comparison, there has been a nice update to the ballroom decoration. Because I am a technology nerd, I really like the new gobo projections. While the logo can still be seen, it is not as reflective. Since I use flashes on all the photos, this makes a good balance!
Photos from the 2015 Arthur Murray Fall Showcase are expiring at the TimeLine Media proofing site. Chiefly, we would like to thank the dancers for their support of our photography. Also, the staff of the studios that worked so hard on these routines that resulted in awesome photos!
After all the students finished their routines, and competed in All Arounds, it was time for the big show. During the last section of the event, we had eight routines from most of the participating studios. Although not a competition, the effort put on by these professionals was excellent! At this point, the dancers won over not only their own studio mates, but all the others as well. In reality, each had some aspects that everyone could take and apply to their dancing.
Since I have an upcoming group fashion shoot, I wanted to revisit a solo session from last year. The first time I met Kyle McKay, he was a model at a fashion show in Springfield, Virginia. At this time, I was very new to photographing fashion shows. While there may be a lot of events in the area, I ran into Kyle at a couple of them as he worked hard at gaining experience. In getting to know him, he was very ambitious in pursuing more fashion projects, though he was collaborative with everyone involved. So when I wanted to expand by studio portfolio, I reached out to him.
In the time since we last saw each other, Kyle and his friend, Mehr started a styling and makeup company, M&K Productions. When we planned to do a portfolio shoot, both of them came to the studio. Mehr worked her makeup talents to create a professional look for his headshots. Initially, these were a great example of their professional styling. For executives that need updated professional portraits, this look is nicely even.
After making some ‘standard’ headshots, I had what I needed for my portfolio. Since we had time, I asked Mehr if she wanted to do something crazy. Because they also have a theatrical painting service in their company, she asked if she could really do something crazy. Of course, I said, ‘Yes!’ So she created this blackbird-inspired look on Kyle’s face. This is a markedly different look from his professional headshot!
Lastly, I changed up the background with lighting. The black background was working, but sometimes his hair would get lost. When I asked the room for suggestions, red was the consensus! So I put a red gel on a flash, and put it on the background. It was a really enjoyable shoot with these two, and I look forward to future shoots together! If you have any ideas that you would like to work on, please contact me. I am looking for more collaborations in the studio!
