BODY IMAGE - WHEN DANCERS WON’T BOOK A VIDEO SHOOT

This post was a long time coming…

“I’M AFRAID TO DO A VIDEO SHOOT BECAUSE I DON’T LIKE HOW I LOOK”

-the thought of many. 

I knew when I starting writing this as an intended short paragraph that it would turn into a multi-page post. How can we simplify the topic of body image? I’ve decided it’s not possible. 

It’s the number one thing holding most people back from doing a video shoot; Even the best dancers will wait until they have their “ideal body”. Yes, I want them to feel as confident as possible when it comes down to it, but I also don’t believe most will reach the vision they have in their head for chiseled abs and zero cellulite. The time to shoot is always now or within a couple months, which allows you to clean up your diet and train a little more diligently. Stop trying to reach your or society’s ideal body in order to showcase your strength and talent - it feeds into this screwed up system that propels body dysmorphia and internalized weight problems.

It took me about 8 months of making pole videos to realize what fulfilled me most was the ability to empower the dancer, by making them look (and feel) beautiful and powerful. Whether or not they had the “perfect body” or not. Who defined this “perfect body” anyways 🤨  Media, that’s who.

Filming when you look and feel your STRONGEST is of course the most optimal time to book your shoot. My recommendation is to, if possible, film just before a competition or performance, since you will likely be at your best, skill and strengths-wise.

That said, if you can’t shake the feelings you have around a particular body part and it affects your decision to shoot a video, please listen; when dancers have the courage to shoot a dance video with me, I am not only honored by their trust, but I am determined to create a video that makes them happy with their decision, by getting the perfect angles, timed slow motion, gorgeous camera movement, and cinematic lighting to bring out their best looking and performing selves. 

I want them to think, “Wow, I cant believe that’s me”. I love when clients say they can’t stop watching their dance video. No, it’s not in vain; it is empowerment in action. 

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What are your thoughts on body image as it relates to filming? Leave a comment to continue the conversation - It’s an important one!

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