Every year I photograph the final year students at Central School of Ballet to produce their audition images. The shoot takes two days and at the end the students choose eight images that they will send to professional companies in the hope of gaining an audition.
These are dancers at the very start of their professional careers and it is often their first experience of a dance photoshoot. It is interesting to watch their reactions when the image appears on the computer screen. It varies from horror at where their left hand is, for instance, to wonderment that they really can do the splits in mid air. It’s the first time they have seen themselves in the air. Through a process of looking at the shot and then listening to corrections offered by the teacher the dancer strives to arrive at a perfect position. Here are two images that hopefully will get those dancers auditions. Helen and Stephanie can be contacted through Central School of Ballet
Helen Brunson takes flight. © 2008 Patrick Baldwin. All rights reserved.
Stephanie Thomas on point. © 2008 Patrick Baldwin. All rights reserved.
