Are you looking for some great contemporary dance poses for your next dance photoshoot? Then you need to try some of these stunning contemporary dance poses!
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Contemporary dance has become so popular in the last twenty years and it also happens to be one of the best genres of dance to photograph because there are so many different possibilities with poses, locations, and more for what you can include in your photoshoot.
However, it can be hard to know where to get started if you are planning a contemporary dance photoshoot. That’s why I’ve created this blog post all about ideas for the best contemporary dance poses and how to have the best contemporary dance photoshoot.
After having some of my own dance photoshoots and working with a few different dance photographers I have gathered some tips and ideas for you to use during your next dance photography session. In this post you are going to learn all about the best poses, outfit ideas, location ideas, and more for planning your contemporary dance photoshoot.
In this post
Part 1: How to have a contemporary dance photoshoot
Part 2: Dance Poses
This post is all about contemporary dance poses
Contemporary Dance Photos
Before you start looking at pose ideas it’s important to sort out all of your ideas and what you need for your photoshoot. This section of this post will help you get ready and get started planning your contemporary dance photoshoot.
Getting Started
Before we even start to look at dance pose ideas for your dance photoshoot, we need to do some planning first.
If you know you want to have a contemporary dance photoshoot, you need to first ask yourself a few questions.
Here are some questions you need to answer when planning your photoshoot:
- Who is taking the photos?
- When are we taking photos?
- Who else is involved in the photoshoot?
- Is there a theme?
- Will there be more than one outfit?
- How long will the photoshoot take?
- What purpose will I use these photos for?
If you are using a professional photographer be sure to communicate some of this with them and set a “vision” for your photoshoot. This will help you save time and frustration when preparing for the actual dance photoshoot.
Keep reading to find our EXCLUSIVE Dance Photoshoot Workbook Guide to prepare for your dance photography session!
You Might Also Like: 25+ Jazz Dance Poses for Your Next Dance Photoshoot
What to Wear
When it comes to getting dressed for a contemporary dance photoshoot you have a lot of different options for what to wear.
My best advice is that less is more for a contemporary dance photography session. There are also a lot of casual, everyday outfits that you can wear that will work perfectly for a contemporary dance photoshoot.
Try exploring your everyday, casual wardrobe to see what kinds of outfits you can create.
Here are a couple ideas of what you can wear during a contemporary dance photoshoot
Casual Contemporary Dance Outfits
Athletic and Dancewear Contemporary Photoshoot Outfits
Location
For contemporary dance photoshoot locations the options are endless. Contemporary dance works in nearly any location with the right vision and the right concept for your dance photoshoot.
Be sure to work your poses and outfits to the location or vice versa. This way nothing will look out of place and your entire photoshoot will seem cohesive.
Communicating with your photographer will also be helpful for finding the right photography location. Many photographers have experience choosing the right location for your photoshoot and usually have some great recommendations to get you started.
Finding Inspiration and Ideas
Now that you have some of your basic ideas mapped out it is time to start looking for inspiration. This post hopefully has you covered when it comes to your inspiration but if you need some more here are some great places to look.
I recommend looking at different dance photographers on instagram and pinterest. Look at the dancers they have photographed and what types of contemporary dance photoshoots they have done in the past. These are also great for references and ideas to share with your photographer for inspiration.
On instagram, look for popular dance photography hashtags and follow them.
When looking on pinterest, you can use some of the following searches to find some good contemporary dance photoshoot ideas
Pinterest Inspiration search ideas
- cool dance poses
- dance photoshoot poses
- contemporary dance poses
- contemporary dance photoshoot poses
- contemporary dance photos
- contemporary dance aesthetic
- contemporary dance photography
Contemporary Dance Poses
Now for the part of this post you’ve been waiting for, the contemporary dance poses! In this section you’ll find some amazing easy contemporary dance poses, jump poses, poses for male dancers, duet contemporary dance poses, group contemporary dance poses, cool dance poses, and more!
Easy Contemporary Dance Poses
First up are the simplest and easiest poses for contemporary dancers that you can find.
1. Lunge
A basic lunge has so many possibilities for dancer in a photoshoot. Try one out with a few different arm positions at your next contemporary dance photography session for some options.
2. Casual sit, stretch and lean
Get your drama on with this easy contemporary dance pose dancers at all levels can do. Try this pose in a split or stretch and stare down the camera for some amazing results.
This simple contemporary dance pose has so many possibilities to pull from. Just lean down and try some different variations of poses during your photography session for some unique ideas.
3. Basic sit and pose
Get some good headshots and basic photos that aren’t entirely dance related with a some casual seated poses like this one.
The chair is totally optional! But we think this pose looks best if you have a wall or surface to lean up against.
4. Squat
Put that ballet barre and grand plié to work with a good old squat for your contemporary dance photos.
Add a lean or shoulder for some dramatic effect.
5. Basic Releve
A simple everyday relevé has so much potential in your dance photos. Try it out on one or two feet and BALANCE for some great photos.
Try some reaches or poses with the arms for more possibilities to get the most out of this easy contemporary dance pose.
6. Seated Knee Extension
Try this super simple seated dance pose by extending one of your legs to show off your gorgeous legs. This pose can be achieved with very little strength and flexibility and looks beautiful on almost anyone.
7. Foot Hold
Try this easy dance pose on relevé or on flat feet for some gorgeous effects in your photos. Try rising and leaning out of the pose to add some motion to your photos.
You can also get creative with your arm placement and how you face the camera to get some different looks with this easy contemporary dance pose.
8. Face Down Arabesque
Believe it or not this pose is actually super easy to do and can be done by almost any dancer. Just lie face down, lift one leg while bending the other and brace yourself with your arms.
9. Fourth Position Lunge
There are so many possibilities for poses with a simple fourth position. Add a forced arch or lean with arms for some variety!
There are so many different directions you can go with this simple, easy contemporary dance pose.
Contemporary Dance Jump Poses
No dance photoshoot is complete without a few jump dance poses. Check these contemporary dance jump poses perfect for your next dance photoshoot!
10. Tilt Jump
Try a tilt jump for your contemporary dance photoshoot. Bonus points if you try some different angles with your photographer.
11. Firebird Jump
Don’t be fooled by the pointe shoes, this dance pose works for any dance styles. You might even try this dance pose in sneakers on the street for fun.
12. Basic Sauté Jump
Try a basic jump from both feet to add some motion to your contemporary dance photos. Arch your back and look up for the best effect in these photos.
13. Double Stag Leap
This classic contemporary dance jump is perfect for your contemporary dance photoshoot. Better yet, add a jacket or skirt for some extra motion!
14. Flying Squirrel
I love a good flying squirrel jump and it makes for such good motion in your dance photos! Try this jump out or a good old 540 jump for some amazing dance jump photos!
15. Leg Cross Jump
Try this jump pose that happens to actually be super easy. Just jump from two feet, tuck the back leg and cross the other in front. This pose usually looks best when you throw the arms up but feel free to experiment!
16. Second Leap
A second leap is another super clean, satisfying leap you can add to your photography session for amazing results.
Try prepping with a chasse for best results and make sure you have plenty of room.
17. C Jump
Arch your back for dear life and look to the sky for this dance jump pose! I love a good C-jump and it happens to look beautiful in dance photos.
18. Kick to the Camera
Finally, try this jump where you tuck one leg while extending the other in a kick while jumping. I see so many variations of this jump in photos that there is no doubt that you can’t go wrong trying this contemporary dance jump pose!
Duo Contemporary Dance Poses
Adding a friend or friends to your dance photoshoot can give you some amazing possibilities for great contemporary dance photos. Duet photos can turn out to be really artsy and unique.
One of the best ways to get some great duo contemporary dance photos is by just moving around and dancing with your friend and letting your photographer have fun. However, if you want some specific pose ideas this section has got you covered.
Grab a dance partner or friend and try these amazing contemporary dance poses for duos now or at your next dance photoshoot!
19. Duet Strech
Try a partnered stretch like this one with your dance partner during your photoshoot!
20. Weight Sharing Lifts
If you’ve got a partner you can’t go wrong with a good weight sharing pose or lift for your duet dance photoshoot. Contemporary is the perfect genre for these types of poses.
Here are some more ideas for some duet dance lifts
21. Mirror Each Other
Don’t be fooled by the ballet shoes in this picture, you can mirror almost any contemporary dance pose for some amazing duet dance photos.
22. Echo
Try any simple or harder dance pose and try echoing each other like this, with one dancer standing behind the other while doing the same pose.
23. Partnered Jump
Try a jump like this for some really amazing photos. Bonus points for adding some motion with the hair or a costume!
24. Infinity Pose
Try making this infinity sign with your arms with your dance partner for some unique duo dance photos!
25. Try Unique Shapes
Just like the infinity sign, there are infinite possibilities of the shapes you can make with a dance partner like this one.
Start just playing around with different shapes and individual poses to see how a partner might be added in. Who knows, you might find some of the best poses of all!
Group Contemporary Dance Poses
What’s better than a dance photoshoot with one or two dancers? A photoshoot with multiple dancers in a group!
Whether you are doing a photoshoot or dance pictures to promote a dance concert or show or just for fun these group contemporary dance poses are sure to be a hit at your next dance photo session.
26. Group Lean and Tendu
Try this tendu and lean group pose for your dance photos. There are lots of other unique poses like this that are perfect for groups of all sizes and that any dancer can easily recreate.
27. Lean On Each Other
Every dancer knows that when dancing in a group you literally have to lean and depend on each other. That’s why this concept is a great thing you can capture in your dance photos.
Try leaning on each other like this and experiment with different levels and formations for more variety.
28. Use a Dance Formation or Pose
Looking to choreography can be one of the best places to start when photographing a group for contemporary dance photos. A simple formation and pose like this has so much potential.
So get moving and get creative with how you and other dancers arrange yourselves. Use the space you have and find some new and unique poses!
29. Stretch
Friends that stretch together, stay together. Try a simple stretch pose with your fellow dancers in a line for another group dance pose.
30. Use Directions
Try a pose like this and bring the focus to one dancer. Every dancer contributes to this pose by bringing the eye to the final dancer in the pose.
Use a variety of poses to try this effect and it’s even better with a larger dance group.
31. Pair Up
Have dancers pair up in a group and attempt the same pose, lift, or trick. This can make your photos look more natural and as if the photos were captured during a dance piece.
32. Individual Poses
Try having each dancer do a different pose like this. Add layers and levels and rearrange to find the right arrangement. This can bring attention to each individual dancer but still allow for great group contemporary dance photos.
33. Birds Eye View
Have your photographer try a different angle and shoot some dance photos from above while the dancers lie on the floor. Try lying in a circle or making a formation on the floor for a cool effect.
Cool Contemporary Dance Poses
Finally, we’ve saved the best for last with these unique and cool contemporary dance poses! Try out these unique dance poses for the best contemporary dance photos that no one else will have.
34. Leg Hold
Show off your flexibility with this leg hold pose. Experiment with how you face the camera and what angle you take photos out for some extra variety.
35. Hinge
I love a good hinge and hinges happen to make great photos. So suck in your abs and lean for your life for this unique dance pose.
36. Pose With the Face
Try some cool poses with your arms and upper body by just moving around. Frame your face and have some fun voguing with your photographer for some unique dance poses.
37. Use Your Space
Get out and experiment with the location you are in. Try posing in unique spaces and arranging your body in. a different way. Arch you back over a rail or lean against a window.
Look to your environment for some pose inspiration and I’m sure you’ll find infinite possibilities.
38. Back Arch and Lean
This has to be one of my favorite contemporary dance pose ideas. I’ve seen so many dancers do this and look absolutely stunning.
Just hit a classic passé pose, arch your back, and lean for dear life!
39. Forced Arch Attitude
Add a little attitude to your dance poses by literally using an attitude leg. Try this to the front on back, on a straight or a bent leg.
This pose has the potential to look absolutely beautiful on any dancer so play around with your angles and have some fun with it!
40. Whatever this move is
I see this pose and similar weighted presses like this so often and think they look so cool as dance photos. So experiment (safely) and try this one out during your contemporary dance photos!
Before You Go
We hope you found some amazing contemporary dance pose ideas and inspiration for your next contemporary dance photoshoot.
Share your favorite contemporary dance pose idea in the comments!
And if you are getting ready for your own dance photoshoot be sure to subscribe down below and get our FREE dance photoshoot guide and workbook to help you plan an amazing dance photoshoot this year!
