Professional dance photographer in Hampshire
I’ve been dancing since I was five years old.
I trained at the Central School of Ballet in London for 8 years. And for nearly 10 years after that, I was a professional dancer with the Northern Ballet.
So when you come to me for your dance application photos, you'll come away with so much more than just ‘photos of you dancing’.
If you have any questions about the application process - what they’re looking for, or what you can expect in the auditions - ask away!
I’ll help guide your lines- how they should look; what form is classically correct. And as I’m taking photos, I’ll know exactly when to take them - seeing the arc of each movement, knowing when to catch that split-second peak.
Giving you photos that’ll make your application stand out (for all the right reasons!) Photos that’ll make you shine.
Photos only a dancer could take.
Am I the right person to take your dance application photos?
The Photos
03.
The warm-up
02.
The studio
01.
Mine and my wife’s (Christie) dance photography studio in Hampshire is a dancer’s haven!
You’ll be dancing on professional dance flooring. There are ballet bars along two sides, and full-length mirrors for one elevation, so you’ll always be able to watch- and adjust- your form.
I use professional studio lighting ensuring every image we capture is crisp, clear, and perfectly-lit.
My wife and I built the studio ourselves, purely with dance in mind. And we’ve made sure we’ll have everything we could possibly need to get you the application photos you deserve.
The Photos
03.
The Warm-up
02.
The Studio
01.
Before we start taking photos, you’ll have a 20-minute coaching class with my wife, Christie Bell.
Christie is an ARAD teacher, trained at The Royal Ballet School and a former professional ballerina at Northern Ballet. Over the course of her career, she’s trained with some of the best teachers in the world.
And for 20 minutes or so, you’ll have her undivided attention.
We’ll work with you on each of your movements; finding your lines, refining your form. Helping you reach your potential, and then pushing beyond it; making even the most subtle micro-adjustments to help elevate your performance.
You’ll go into the session feeling prepared, and confident. And every image we take will showcase your abilities at their absolute best.
The Photos
03.
The Warm-up
02.
The Studio
01.
The session itself will be a creative collaboration between two dancers.
Some poses may take longer than others; some might need a tweak, or a subtle adjustment to get it ‘just right’. I’ll give you honest feedback around what’s working, and what isn’t. And if it helps, you can even take a look on my computer between shots to see where you can improve your form.
After all, we’re perfectionists, aren’t we? “That’ll do” will never do!
My sessions are always relaxed; we’ll chat away, and have some fun. But more than anything, I want you to come away with photos you’re truly proud of.
I know first-hand how important these application photos are to your career. They can be *the* difference. Let’s make sure we do you justice.
Every dance photo shoot booked with Martin, includes a 20 minute warm up coaching class with Christie Bell (ARAD teacher and former professional ballerina with the Northern Ballet and The Royal Ballet School)
Meet Christie
Empowering young dancers through supportive, disciplined, and technical coaching.
Your ballet coach
A well deserved break!
Christie Bell is a Hampshire-based ballet coach specialising in one-on-one training for pre-vocational students. A former professional with Northern Ballet, she trained at the Royal Ballet School (White Lodge) and Central School of Ballet. Christie is a qualified RAD teacher and certified in Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) and Pilates. Through Bell Ballet Coaching, she helps dancers refine their technique and prepare for vocational opportunities.
- Ciara Doogan
It was so incredible working with you both! Thank you so much for the lovely photos.
- Keesha Ramkelawon
Thank you again so much, I absolutely love how my CV photos have come out!
Your Dance Photography journey
To place a booking with me there is a £50 booking fee due with the remaining amount due 2 weeks before the photo shoot
Want some fun and creative dance photographs? For an additional £200 you can add an hour to the photo shoot to achieve these.
Enquire now →
Investment £250
✦ A 1.5 hour photo shoot at our studio in Fareham, Hampshire
✦ All dance positions for all applications will be covered
✦ Guidance on what to wear for the photo shoot
✦ All high resolution digital photographs included
✦ A 20 minute warm up coaching class with Christie Bell (ARAD teacher and former professional ballerina at Northern Ballet and The Royal Ballet School)
✦ All photographs professionally edited by myself
✦ All photographs produced in colour
✦ A Password protected gallery to view and download your application photographs
These are suited to dancers applying for Easter/Summer Intensive courses, associate programmes, full time schools and colleges.
Dance application photo shoots with me include the following;
Dance application photo shoots with me include the following;
Enquire now →
Application Photo Shoots
To place a booking with me there is a £50 booking fee due with the remaining amount due 2 weeks before the photo shoot
Want more than 12 digital files from the photo shoot? You can purchase these for £25 per additional photo or an additional £300 for all of the photographs.
Enquire now →
Investment £350
✦ A 2 hour photo shoot at our studio in Fareham, Hampshire
✦ A discovery call to discuss what style of images and dance genres you want to achieve
✦ Guidance on what to wear for the photo shoot
✦ A selection of approx. 30 photographs to choose from
✦ All photographs professionally edited by myself
✦ Your choice of 12 high resolution photographs included
✦ A 20 minute warm up coaching class with Christie Bell (ARAD teacher and former professional ballerina with the Northern Ballet and The Royal Ballet School)
✦ All photographs produced in colour and black & white
✦ A Password protected gallery to view and choose your photographs
These are suited to dancers wanting to have some creative photos of them dancing, these can be for the walls at home, personal portfolio or for their social media profiles.
Creative dance photo shoots with me include the following;
Creative dance photo shoots with me include the following;
Enquire now →
Creative Dance Photo Shoots
To place a booking with me there is a £50 booking fee due with the remaining amount due 2 weeks before the photo shoot
Want more than 10 digital files from the photo shoot? You can purchase these for £25 per additional photo or an additional £300 for all of the photographs
Enquire now →
Investment £500
✦ A 2.5 hour photo shoot at our studio in Fareham, Hampshire
✦ A discovery call to discuss what style of images and dance genres you want photographed
✦ Guidance on what to wear for the photo shoot
✦ A selection of approx. 40 photographs to choose from
✦ All photographs professionally edited by myself
✦ Your choice of 10 high resolution photographs included
✦ A 20 minute warm up coaching class with Christie Bell (ARAD teacher and former professional ballerina at Northern Ballet and The Royal Ballet School)
✦ All photographs produced in colour and black & white
✦ A Password protected gallery to view and choose your CV and audition photographs
These are suited to graduating dancers applying for dancing jobs in the UK and abroad.
Dance CV and audition photo shoots with me include the following;
Dance CV and audition photo shoots with me include the following;
Enquire now →
CV and Audition Photo Shoots
✦ That they have a proven understanding of the technical and aesthetic requirements of dance that all major International Dance Schools and Companies expect.
✦ That they have the experience, knowledge and ability to correct and critique all styles of dance.
✦ That they have recognition as a Professional Dance Photographer by all major Dance Schools and Companies.
✦ That they have the experience, knowledge and ability to correct and critique all styles of dance.
✦ That they have recognition as a Professional Dance Photographer by all major Dance Schools and Companies.
IMPORTANT : Whichever photographer you choose for your CV & Dance Audition photographs, I do recommend considering the following:
- Teresa Wilson
Martin listened to what my daughter wanted and worked with her to get the perfect shot each time. The photos are absolutely amazing, we couldn't have asked for better. We will certainly not hesitate in coming back to Martin for any future dance related photos we will need. An absolutely amazing experience.
We selected to have a creative photo shoot added on to the application shoot and WOW!
- Sarah Littler
I just wanted to thank you and Christie so much for today. Our daughter had such a great time. She isn't usually confident about having her photo taken so it was lovely to see her being outspoken, giving her opinion and being relaxed in front of the camera.
Our daughter had such a great time...it was lovely to see her giving her opinion and being relaxed in front of the camera.
- Kim Goodall
Thank you so much, the application photos are absolutely beautiful! The coaching was amazing and Matilda really benefited from Christie's expertise, she is feeling much more confident about the audition now! And thank you so much for your attention to detail with the photographs, ensuring we got the best possible ones, they're so beautiful.
We are so very grateful to yourself and Christie for giving Matilda such a lovely experience that she will always remember!
What colour leotard should I wear
for my application and CV photographs?
What should I do with my hair, and how much makeup should I wear?
All my dance photo shoots take place at my home studio in Stubbington, Fareham.
How many dance poses/movements should I prepare for my CV photographs?
Can we do some creative photos as part of our application photo shoot?
How do you know which application photographs are required?
Where will the
photo shoot take place?
Where will the photo shoot take place?
For application photo shoots the colour leotard is usually specified on the application form. Darker colours work a lot better as the backdrop will be white for the entire photo shoot – red, green, navy blue and black always work well. Please make sure your tights are clean with no ladders and shoes are also clean too. Please also bring some warm up clothes.
Whereabouts will the
photo shoot take place?
What colour leotard should I wear
for my application and CV photographs?
What should I do with my hair, and how much makeup should I wear?
How many dance poses/movements should I prepare for my CV photographs?
Can we do some creative photos as part of our application photo shoot?
How do you know which application photographs are required?
What colour leotard should I wear
for my application and CV photographs?
A ballet bun is always best and for the non ballet photographs either French roll or hair down, we can always try both. Only basic, every day, make up is needed.
Whereabouts will the
photo shoot take place?
What colour leotard should I wear
for my application and CV photographs?
What should I do with my hair, and how much makeup should I wear?
How many dance poses/movements should I prepare for my CV photographs?
Can we do some creative photos as part of our application photo shoot?
How do you know which application photographs are required?
What should I do with my hair, and how much makeup should I wear?
A minimum of 10. This will help the photo shoot to run smoother. Once I see you performing the movement a couple of times I will be able to see if it will work for you or if we need to adjust it slightly.
Whereabouts will the
photo shoot take place?
What colour leotard should I wear
for my application and CV photographs?
What should I do with my hair, and how much makeup should I wear?
How many dance poses/movements should I prepare for my CV photographs?
Can we do some creative photos as part of our application photo shoot?
How do you know which application photographs are required?
How many dance poses/movements should I prepare for my CV photographs?
You can opt to add on an hour to the application photo shoot to get some more fun and creative dance photos. This is priced at an additional £200.
Whereabouts will the
photo shoot take place?
What colour leotard should I wear
for my application and CV photographs?
What should I do with my hair, and how much makeup should I wear?
How many dance poses/movements should I prepare for my CV photographs?
Can we do some creative photos as part of our application photo shoot?
How do you know which application photographs are required?
Can we do some creative photos as part of our application photo shoot?
Each school or intensive application will have a different set of photographs that they require. I will ask you to email over the list of photographs each school requires and then I’ll create a list of the positions required across all applications so everything will be covered.
Whereabouts will the
photo shoot take place?
What colour leotard should I wear
for my application and CV photographs?
What should I do with my hair, and how much makeup should I wear?
How many dance poses/movements should I prepare for my CV photographs?
Can we do some creative photos as part of our application photo shoot?
How do you know which application photographs are required?
How do you know which application photographs are required?
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s no small thing, choosing your dance photographer.
You need to find someone you feel comfortable with. Someone you trust to tell your story.
If you think that person might be me, I’d be so genuinely excited to hear from you. Get in touch today and let’s see if we’re a good fit.
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