Today we want to share our photoshoot preparation process: the path from a concept to final photographs. As an example, we will use our Ballet by the book photoshoot with ballet dancer Sofya Khoreva, photographed by Alice Tikston. 

1st stage: concept development. The starting point for this photoshoot was the image of a dancer from the Foundation of Classical Ballet book by A. Y. Vaganova: oversimplified lines of the body with exaggerated proportions. The image itself makes the whole perception of movement mechanical, regulated, with strict limitations and requirements. The concept went beyond that as we questioned how to find the balance between the norms and rules of classical ballet, the individuality of the dancer, and the ideas of the choreographer. So the concept transformed into finding your personality in these boundaries and actually using them for the sake of expression.

 

2nd stage: the development of the concept into visual references. Moodboard. First of all, we found a location* that had visual references to classes of Vaganova's period, the time when the teaching program emerged. Then, we came up with the idea of mirrors in non-obvious positions, as a sign of something that helps to correct yourself so you looked and acted by the book, as well as an instrument for the teacher to see and give directions to the whole class at once from different points of the classroom. Ribbons embodied the restriction of being led and shown how it should be done. Finally, repetition (of the same person and pose) is a reference to rules and being similar to the same body line from the book. And we could not do without the huge pages from Vaganova's book.

 

3d stage. Transformation of visual references into scenes/shot plans, poses, and composition ideas. At this stage we went deeper into details of how we would like the final shot to look, considering the visual references mentioned above, location, the equipment we have, etc.

 

 

 

 

4th stage. We decide on the makeup and hair based on the concept and visual references as well as the nature of the dancer we are working with.

 

5th stage. Depending on the nature of the photoshoot - whether we are shooting a campaign, a “relaxed” catalogue, or just doing the photoshoot because we want to work with an inspiring ballet dancer or photographer (dream case) - we prepare a list of looks for the photoshoot.

 

Excluding all the organizational details and elements that ended up not fitting in - that’s it. The final step is to brief the participants, get them inspired and let them do their best (NB surely, we discuss the location, lighting, concept, etc with the photographer in parallel with the 3-4 stages).

Some backstage images from the photoshoot. Film photography by Vladimir Chigak. 

Are you ready to see the result now? Let us know what you think in the comments under this post! 

*Untold: the photoshoot took place in the amazing location of DK Kirova**. When we first chose the location, the ballet studio still had the original hardwood floor, which was suddenly renovated later. As Sofya and Alice are based in Saint-Petersburg, we traveled there and did not miss the chance to visit Mariinsky theatre. 

**Dvorets Kul'tury Imeni S. M. Kirova - Culture Palace of Culture named after S. M. Kirov, home to Art Ballet SPB classes.