Dance photography is more than simply pointing the camera lens at a dancer and pressing a button. It is a skill and an art form, as well as an unspoken synergy established between the photographer and the dancer. Releasing the shutter at exactly the right moment captures a fleeting moment of light and elegant movement that creates something truly special. It shares moments in time with dancers where they communicate in a way that transcends language. Dance photography skillfully captures movement. It creates freeze-frames of beautiful, entrancing movements and poses. It is essentially like pressing a pause button that allows the opportunity to truly appreciate the skill, focus, strength, and grace required for that single image and moment in time.
“While living in Istanbul, Turkey, Ashkan photographed his best friend, Selis, who was a ballroom dancer. This completely shifted the trajectory of his career.“
Photographers capturing any form of movement and self expression work hard to create a feeling of trust between themselves and their subject. Helping the dancers feel at ease and like they can trust the photographer’s judgment is important and can take a long time to learn how to naturally cultivate. This is the moment we have prepared for as Houston Photographers, and is ultimately one of the most special aspects of sessions that fulfills us the most. Ashkan Roayaee is an Iranian photographer currently living in Houston, Texas. He has traveled extensively and lived in four countries. He is a seasoned Houston photographer, who has photographed some of Houston’s top dancers and athletes across various disciplines. After honing his photography skills for a number of years, he chose to try something new and exciting to broaden his range. While living in Istanbul, Turkey, he photographed his best friend, Selis, who was a ballroom dancer. This completely shifted the trajectory of his career.
“He has witnessed firsthand the powers of communication beyond only words.”
After that, he completely fell in love with dance and movement. Capturing it became his primary passion. He became enamored with the process of combining two different art forms to create something magical. Capturing the pure grace of a dancer nailing a Grand Jete or performing a Grand Adage with flawless, strong, and slow control in enchanting lighting is truly an impassioned pursuit. Having lived in so many countries around the world, and now living in the USA as a Houston Photographer, Ashkan speaks multiple languages. However, he seldom gets the opportunity to speak his primary language. Because English is not his first language (or second, even!) he has witnessed firsthand the powers of communication beyond only words. There is so much nuance in communicating with others that cannot be confined to the parameters of spoken language. This is why capturing movement completely captivated Ashkan. Each leap, bound, and pose is communicating something different. A dancer can convey emotions simply through their artform and they can tell an intricate story.
“The beauty and elegance derives from a lifetime dedicated to building strength and power.”
“Propelling their bodies in the air and maintaining perfect control over what each body part is doing in the process pushes the limits of humanity.”
“We have the honor of helping the subject to build the courage in themselves to be brave and to express themselves boldly, without inhibitions.”
Additionally, we love to capture the history of young dancers’ talent. Watching passion and dedication progress and evolve into success is deeply inspiring. It has transformed the nature of how we run our studio. We are so grateful for the opportunities we get to work with so many incredible dancers who inspire us and help us continue to grow in our own art form. Beyond that, we love helping dancers communicate their individual personalities through their movement. Capturing someone in their element showcasing their own self-expression is moving. We have the honor of helping the subject to build the courage in themselves to be brave and to express themselves boldly, without inhibitions. Again, they can communicate what their words might not be able to, from the deepest essence of who they are through their movement. Anyone familiar with dance photography, or another Houston photographer, know of what is called the “decisive moment.” The decisive moment is that moment that captures it all; it is when the shutter is clicked, the moment that determines the frame in time, that tiny 1/200th of a second, of the magic of movement.
“That tiny snapshot of a moment in time can be life-changing.”
Whether it is 1/200th or 1/400th of a second, that very specific fraction of a second that you choose to capture the dancer’s movements determines the story that will be told through the photograph. That fraction of a second is what communicates one mood versus another. What seems so small and perhaps trivial is the difference between a good photograph and a photograph that can give someone chills or bring tears to their eyes. The strategic lighting, the moment we choose, and that fraction of a second can completely transform someone’s understanding of themselves. That fraction of a second can forever shift how they express themselves and help them to experience a completely new sense of empowerment and confidence in themselves and their art form. Ashkan has been privileged to witness this firsthand time and again through capturing movement. We would love the opportunity to collaborate with you and help you tell your story through dance and movement. That tiny snapshot of a moment in time can be life-changing, and we would be truly honored to share it with you.
Want to capture your dancing?
We can capture your unique personality and style. We have Sessions for dance auditions as well as Creative Sessions, which offer a large range of diverse options.
