Ballerina mid-air leap captured in a dance photography session.
Ballerina mid-air leap captured in a dance photography session.

Discovering the Passion of Dance Photography: A Journey Behind the Lens

From capturing the magic of weddings to freezing the fleeting grace of dance, my journey as a photographer has been one of delightful evolution. For many years, under the banner of Timeless and Treasured Photography (established way back in 2007!), my lens focused on various life moments. Like many photographers, the early years saw my business nestled comfortably alongside family life, particularly raising my three daughters, which even inspired the name of my blog, “My Three Girls.”

Life, as it often does, brought beautiful changes. With my daughters growing and homeschooling becoming a cherished memory, I felt a pull to dedicate myself fully to my photography. About two years ago, that “little hobby business” blossomed into a full-time passion. While I found success in the wedding industry, a deeper calling was waiting to be discovered.

Ballerina mid-air leap captured in a dance photography session.Ballerina mid-air leap captured in a dance photography session.

The pivotal moment arrived with the first annual Pas De Deux Dance Photography Conference in early 2020. This experience was transformative, reshaping my artistic vision and business focus entirely! I owe a huge thank you to Ron McKinney, the conference director, for connecting with me through Instagram (proof that #hashtagsareimportant!) and encouraging me to attend. It was at this conference that my love for Dance Photography truly ignited.

Dance has been a constant thread in my life, especially with all three of my daughters having danced ballet. My youngest daughter’s profound passion for ballet resonated deeply with me. Photographing dance wasn’t new to me, but now, my personal life and professional interests beautifully converged into a shared love for capturing dancers in motion. My focus sharpened, my lens now dedicated to the art of dance photography. Embracing the unexpected pause of 2020, I channeled all my energy into nurturing the dance aspect of my business, making the heartfelt decision to step away from booking future weddings. The creation of my Dance Ambassador Team – more on that adventure later – filled my schedule and my creative spirit.

There’s an undeniable magic in discovering work that transcends the ordinary, a passion that makes you lose track of time and even, dare I say, the need for mundane breaks! For me, that magic is dance photography. The technical challenge of capturing a dancer at the peak of a leap, freezing that perfect millisecond, is incredibly rewarding. My business is thriving, busier than ever, and my heart is full. I hope everyone finds that one thing that sets their soul alight! Below are a few of my favorite dance photography moments captured recently.

Graceful ballet dancer en pointe, captured in a studio dance photography session.Graceful ballet dancer en pointe, captured in a studio dance photography session.

Dynamic dance photography portrait showcasing movement and emotion.Dynamic dance photography portrait showcasing movement and emotion.

Expressive contemporary dancer captured in a powerful dance photography pose.Expressive contemporary dancer captured in a powerful dance photography pose.

Energetic jazz dancer mid-jump, highlighting the athleticism of dance photography.Energetic jazz dancer mid-jump, highlighting the athleticism of dance photography.

Creative rain dance photography session with a dancer splashing in puddles.Creative rain dance photography session with a dancer splashing in puddles.

Elegant ballet dancer in a flowing costume, a classic dance photography image.Elegant ballet dancer in a flowing costume, a classic dance photography image.

Stunning silhouette dance photography against a bright backdrop.Stunning silhouette dance photography against a bright backdrop.

Candid dance photography moment capturing the joy and freedom of movement.Candid dance photography moment capturing the joy and freedom of movement.

Artistic dance photography emphasizing lines and shapes of the dancer's body.Artistic dance photography emphasizing lines and shapes of the dancer's body.

Group dance photography capturing the energy of a dance ensemble.Group dance photography capturing the energy of a dance ensemble.

Close-up dance photography focusing on the emotion and expression of the dancer.Close-up dance photography focusing on the emotion and expression of the dancer.

Backlit dance photography highlighting the dancer's form and movement.Backlit dance photography highlighting the dancer's form and movement.

Outdoor dance photography utilizing natural light and environment.Outdoor dance photography utilizing natural light and environment.

Black and white dance photography emphasizing contrast and form.Black and white dance photography emphasizing contrast and form.

Studio dance photography with dramatic lighting and posing.Studio dance photography with dramatic lighting and posing.

Dance photography capturing the fluidity and grace of ballet movements.Dance photography capturing the fluidity and grace of ballet movements.

Creative dance photography using props to enhance the visual storytelling.Creative dance photography using props to enhance the visual storytelling.

Jumping dance photography showcasing power and elevation.Jumping dance photography showcasing power and elevation.

Passionate dance photography capturing intense emotion and performance.Passionate dance photography capturing intense emotion and performance.

Dramatic dance photography with strong shadows and dynamic poses.Dramatic dance photography with strong shadows and dynamic poses.

Playful dance photography capturing joyful and lighthearted moments.Playful dance photography capturing joyful and lighthearted moments.

While dance photography is now my primary focus, I continue to photograph families, engagements, seniors, and newborns. I am a portrait photographer and a dance photographer, just minus the weddings going forward! Though, you will still see some wedding work as I fulfill existing commitments.

With much love, and the joy of capturing beautiful moments,

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Madison ~ A Baltimore Ballerina Photo Session

Photographing Dancers ~ Heather O’Steen Photography

Heather O’Steen is a Dance Photographer serving Maryland and surrounding areas. She specializes in creating visually inspiring photographs that embody the dancer’s grace, strength, and spirit. Heather collaborates closely with each dancer, forming a true “pas de deux” partnership to craft stunning works of art.

Services include: Dance recital photography, dance stage photography, rain dance photography, and color powder dance photography.

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