Let’s talk energy. Last November I arrived at Ripley Grier studios to photograph The Big Apply Lindy Hoppers, an incredibly lively group of swing dancers . After 5 hours of shooting, multiple costume changes, 15 setups, and individual portraits I felt like I had just run a marathon.
Throughout the shoot I learned a lot of tricks to getting the shot from a group of dancers…
1) Ask them to perform for you as if you were a one-man (or woman) audience. As I moved around the studio the dancers would focus and smile only at the camera.
2) Count off! It helps the dancers and the photographer. If you know that you need a kick at count 6 of 8 make sure they know as well.
3) Take a break. I didn’t listen to my own advice and by the end I realized I hadn’t had a bite to eat or sip to drink nearly all day. You always need to step back from a shoot for a few minutes to think about what you have done and allow inspiration to creep in. This goes for all shoots, not just dancers.
4) It is always a nuisance to check in with your subject but if you have no idea what the charleston is you should show them when you think you’ve “got it” just to make sure. Oftentimes I thought I nailed it but the form of the dancer was off, which was something I couldn’t see.
Many of the images you see here will be used for the Hoppers’ new website. I will be sure to post the link once it’s up! Also special thanks to Brian Lawton for A) Being my subject many times over the years and B) Teaching me the basics of swing. Maybe soon I will be in some of these photographs…
