Photographing Dance and Dancers

with Fritz Liedtke

Discover the art of capturing movement, emotion, and light in this immersive three-part dance photography workshop with professional photographer Fritz Liedtke, held at Portland’s celebrated BodyVox Dance Center. Designed for photographers of all levels, this workshop combines the excitement of working with professional dancers with the technical and creative guidance you need to take your images to the next level.

Part 1: Preparation — Self-Guided Materials (Delivered the week before class)

Before the in-person session, you’ll receive a set of resources to help you prepare. These materials will cover foundational concepts and a host of inspiration, so you arrive ready to make the most of your time in the studio.

Part 2: On Location — 6 Hours of Shooting (Saturday)

Spend the day photographing professional dancers in a variety of settings, both in the beautiful studio and in the surrounding environment. We try to keep the dancer-to-photographer ratio at 1:2, so you get plenty of time to photograph. Fritz will be your guide all through the day, both demonstrating concepts, and working with you one-on-one to help refine your vision and imagery. You’ll learn how to:

• Work with natural light and artificial light, including flash and modifiers
• Direct and pose dancers to highlight form, grace, and drama
• Anticipate and capture the decisive moment when movement and emotion align
• Choose locations, wardrobe, and styling that enhance your vision
• Build confidence in working with models and performers
• If you want to work with flash, equipment will be provided for your use, though you are welcome to bring your own gear if you prefer. 

Part 3: Virtual Editing & Image Review (Follow-Up Session)

Several days after the shoot, we’ll gather online for an editing and critique session. You’ll receive constructive feedback on your photos, learn editing techniques to make your images shine, and discuss strategies for building a strong body of dance or performance photography.

By the end of the workshop, you’ll not only have a deeper understanding of lighting, timing, and storytelling in dance photography, but also the confidence to work with dancers, models, and performers in future projects. Whether you’re looking to broaden your portrait and event photography skills or simply want the chance to create extraordinary images in a supportive, collaborative setting, this workshop is designed to be both challenging and inspiring.

This workshop is limited to 12 students, so everyone gets plenty of attention and time photographing. Invite your friends to join you while there are still spots left!

FAQ: 

Do I need prior dance photography experience to join?
No prior dance photography experience is required. This workshop is designed for photographers of all levels, and we’ll cover lighting, posing, timing, and working with dancers from the ground up.
What equipment do I need to bring?
Bring your own camera, lenses, and lighting gear (if you have it). A DSLR or mirrorless camera with manual controls is recommended.
What is included in the virtual editing and review session?
In the follow-up online session, we’ll review your images together, provide personalized feedback, demonstrate editing techniques, and discuss strategies to improve your portfolio and capture stronger dance photographs in the future.

About the Speaker:

Fritz Liedtke