black and white image of a dancer warming up and stretching

woman holding on to window sill to stretch

black and white image of a dancer stretching out her back leg to her forehead

black and white image of a lady balancing on one foot with plaid shirt

Dance Warm Up Photo Series

Dance is a challenging and powerful art form. Not everyone can kick their leg up to their head or jump 5 feet up into the air with their legs in a perfect split. It takes years and years of training and a strong individual with the right mindset to persevere through roadblocks and doubts. Not only is dance art, but it is an athletic sport. A dancer’s body is their tool, just as a paintbrush is to a painter. If it is not taken care of, it can not perform as well the next time it is asked to be used. Dancers cannot demand these unbelievable actions of their bodies on the spot. They must nurture every muscle, joint, and tendon that they move. The consequences of not taking care of their bodies could be career-ending injuries that wash dreams down the drain. Warming up is how the dancer physically and mentally prepares.

dancer stretching on a brick window with her leg above her head

dancer standing on white leg in a room with only window light

dancer posing for Nieto Photography Dance Warm Up series

dancer doing a split in the air in a black and white image

two dancers posing infant of three windows in a black and white image

Taking the steps to warm up with a few jumping jacks, practicing plies and lunges, and sliding into a split before running on stage to do a leap can make a huge difference. Dancers always strive for growth and consistency in their performance. Stretching is how they make their legs go higher in the air or have a stronger arched back. Without it, our performance can be weakened.

black and white image of a boy dancing in a studio

male dancer stretching out his split while on a hard wood floor

black and white image of a dancer in a leotard raising her leg into the air

dancer posing as she warms up before a dance shoot

warming up for a dance shoot in a black and white image

Warming up the Mind

Whether it is a show at Radio City Music Hall, a small performance outside, or a photoshoot, preparing our mind is just as important as preparing our body. Dancers are trained to make everything look simple and easy with even the most difficult of moves. We can never let our stress and fear make an appearance to the audience, let alone be captured in a picture. Warming up, breathing and clearing the mind allows room for focus and determination no matter the task that is put in front of you.

black and white image of a dancer stretching out her calf

two dancers stretching in a black and white image

dancer stretching with leg up in the air against a white wall with windows

back and white image of dancer stretching under a window

black and white image of a dancer jumping in the air

dancer dressed in blue and black posing in front of a window

dancer pulling on pink band to stretch toes

dancer in a split while using a pink stretch band

dancer with a stretch band warming up before dancing

black and white image of two dancers stretching their legs on a hardwood floor

dancer jumping in the air with her hands out in front of her

two dancers doing yoga as the stretch and warm up for a photoshoot

dancer dressed in a plaid shirt dumping in the air with her legs tucked under her

black and white image of dancer stretching body and neck while warming up

dancer stretching her leg out for a dance photoshoot

black and white image of a dancer in Nike sport wear stretching

Guest Writer: Mia Crider

A little About Mia

I have been shooting Mia since she was a rising junior and dancing at Holly Springs School of Dance. Her first shoot she came out to the Eno River in Durham NC and risked her life. She has been part of some of my best dance series. You can see her through out my portfolio. She is currently in her sophomore year at Montclair State University as a BFA dance major. She also drives a cool Jeep.

dancer stretching leg while dressed in Nike sports bra

blacking and white image of a dancer in three poses warming up for to dance

Kuja Studios | Wendell NC

When thinking about shooting this series I had imagined hardwoods floors and big windows. After several months of searching, I had resigned myself to shooting the whole series outdoors. Mid 2020 the studio contacted me to come out and tour their facility. It was a dream come true. The studio manager is great and it has everything I need for dance photography. I have to thank Kuja Studios for making my “Dance Warm Up” series come to light.

Thank you for visiting my Dance Warm Up Series page. If you would like to see more dance portraits, please follow these links:

Nieto Photography Dance Portfolio

Color Dust Series

Have any questions? Feel free to contact me if you would like to set up a portrait session.

Email: Chris@nietophotography.com

Phone: (919)495-5916