How to get the Most out of your Aerial Photoshoot
So you’ve booked your first aerial photoshoot! How exciting!
A photoshoot can be an amazing way to capture how much you love your aerial apparatus. Catching your favourite moves in a picture taken by a professional photographer looks so much more special than the images you snapped in the studio or the backyard with your mobile.
The professional photoshoot can make your moves look even more dazzling than when you snap them in the studio as they will know the angles and set the correct lighting to encapsulate the moment best.
You can use these images to show friends and family as well as a post on social media for business purposes. you can even use them on your studio website – if you own or teach at one.
Whilst having an aerial photoshoot can be really rewarding and a fun experience, if you don’t prepare properly it can become quite stressful. In order to get the most out of your shoot, whether it be aerial hoop, silks, hammock or trapeze there are a few tips you can follow in order to get pictures you will be amazed by.
The tips are relevant whether you are working with a professional photographer or you’re shooting in the back garden with your phone and an Amazon light ring.
The Photographer
Most photographers have a certain theme or style of shooting. Before you commit to a photo shoot, a bit late if the first sentence of this page applies to you. But anyway, check out the photographer before you sign up via the studio you attend just in case he has a style that you just don’t like.
To figure out their style look at their photo gallery and see what images they have shot recently. Stalk them on social media if you have to.
If the photographer has taken plenty of aerial shots before he will know how hard it is to hold a posture and will shoot quickly. They will also be able to advise on reminding you to point toes and fingers.
Commit to a Theme
When reading an email from Womac and Bowman recently they suggested that you should have a theme, I thought that was a great idea so I have added it into this post from a while back. they suggested themes like ‘Haute Couture’ , ‘Vintage- Circus’ to ‘Superhero’ and ‘Check-out-me-doing-aerial-in-my jeans’ casual.
The casual jeans theme is my favourite and I’m wondering if I can do that on a pole shoot I have coming up?
Another thing they said was that successful photoshoots almost always have a ‘theme.’
The great thing about a photo shoot is that there is no right or wrong theme. SO go with what you like just to ensure that your clothes, makeup and hair match the theme.
The inspiration for your theme could be preset by the photographer as he might have a preferred backdrop, or he might be using smoke. The location can help set the theme as well. If you were outside in the woods you’d want a fitting costume.
The theme might be preset like if you had a shoot with Kristy Sellars, you’d be dancing around with some clouds and a pole.
Once you commit to a theme the make-up, hair, costume and even the movements will be easy to figure out.
Get Inspiration
As suggested in the HKmagazine getting some inspiration is a great place to start! Good places to look are on the Instagram profiles of your favourite aerialists, look on the social media page of the photographer or take a look on some interest boards.
It’s a good idea to have a range of moves, some easy and some difficult. Often the simple moves can look the prettiest.
Once you have found some poses, make a list of them so you don’t forget what they are. Then in the run-up to the photoshoot practice, practice and practise some more. Get a friend to look at you in the moves and point out ways you can improve the lines so that they are as aesthetically pleasing as possible. It can be a good idea to film or take some images yourself so you can see what you look like.
Make a list of the moves in the order you want to do them. Save the hard ones until the end so that you don’t zap all your energy in the first few minutes. You can use the easier moves as your warm-up. Have a few backup moves just in case you struggle with any of your original ideas on the day.
There are some really fun aerial themed notebooks you can buy to make your lists on.
Costume
We added a section above about themes, if you have a special theme make sure that your costume matches the theme of your shoot.
If you want to go over the top with sparkles then so be it, it is your photo shoot and you can do it however you please. And sparkle looks great in photos.
Have a practice in your costumes prior to the day in case it doesn’t work for some moves. You can last have more than one costume. The photographer will probably specify how many outfit changes you can make.
Check that it’s easy to get in and out of your outfit. You don’t want to be struggle ing on the day and get flustered.
Make Up & hair
Ensure that any make-up and hair style matches the theme.
At most photoshoots, there won’t be time to change your upstyle or redo a full face of make-up.
Hiring a make-up artist or a hair stylist can be a great way to take the pressure off yourself on the day.
Don't Forget to Take the Essentials
Make sure that you make a list of everything you need on the day of the photoshoot so that you don’t forget anything.
- Makeup, false lashes
- Hairbrush and accessories
- Costumes
- Underwear
- Water
- Snacks
- Energy gels and protein bars
Don't Be Last Minute
Make sure you think about all of the things above.
Read the photographers guidance they send out before the shoot.
If appropriate have a discussion with them about your theme and costume, let them know any specific ideas you have and discuss with them the venue if you don’t already know about it.
Don’t be so last minute that you almost miss your shoot. Arrive in plenty of time!
Listen to the Photographer
They will have taken aerial photos before, they know what they are doing. Listen to their direction and suggestions. They have a good eye for details and will know how to help you achieve the best. If they have a name for themselves they must have a good eye for the visual aspect of aerial art, so listen to them.
On The Day - Perform!
You’ve paid the money, practised, invested money in a costume or maybe two or even three don’t waste your photoshoot. Make sure you perform, give 120%. commit to the move. Don’t be shy, show off! Believe in your self and you will nail it!
Have an amazing aerial photoshoot – you will come away with the most amazing pictures! Hang them on the wall and be proud!
We hope you have found our tips on how to get the most out of your aerial photoshoot!
Sophie Green has been pole dancing and aerial arts at home and in studios around the world for over 13 years. She’s taken a number of instructor courses in pole and aerial. Plus attended a course on rigging. She takes part in lots of exercise.