Tip1: Hire a Professional Photographer not someone with a professional gear.
Pranati getting blessings from Lord Nataraja before starting her Arangetram
A well planned event is half the success and if that event is planned a year in advance, then it can be PERFECT!
Apart from getting the event place booked, next comes the booking of a Photographer and Videographer. Most Bharatanatyam students and their parents think last about who should be Photographing the Arangetram. The old fashion way of thinking is hire someone with a professional camera or God forbid even hand over to an Uncle who has a pro camera to shoot, so we can just print pictures from it later.
Now think again!
Considering you have been learning Bharatanatyam for maybe 7 to 8 years and planning for this Arangetram from a year in advance. A little more thought should be put on deciding who the right person should be to capture those once in a lifetime moments.
If you want to hire the best in the Industry then you have to book them fast. Most dance school can recommend Photographers who have worked with them in the past and know their work. It also makes sense to hire them first for a smaller gig, generally like a photo shoot for the brochure/invitation. This will give you an opportunity to see their work first hand and also get a feel for them before the BIG event. Plus it also gives the Photographer a chance to get comfortable with his subject and know the strengths and weaknesses of the dancer so he/she can do a good job on the BIG day.
Tip 2: Stage Manager and Photographer should be in sync.
The Photographer should get to know his/her Stage Manager right from the dress rehearsal. The Photographer can coordinate with the Stage Manager during the dress rehearsal and provide expert advice regarding the stage lighting and setup. Mostly it has to do with the lack of lighting on the stage and other technical stuff about lighting like projections and Gobo’s. If everything is taken care during the dress rehearsal, then actual Arangetram can be a perfect from a lighting perspective.
Nisha & Swetha performing their Arangetram at the Garland Center, Texas
Tip 3: Rest your Pose
Just like Photography is all about moments, Bharatnatyam dances are all about striking the right pose to give the correct expression and portray the right image. However, for a Photographer to get that moment, he needs all the help he can get from the Bharatnatyam student who will be performing. If the student does not rest their pose before proceeding to the next one, the shot that it will represent will be vague and awkward looking. Photographically speaking it will be a moment lost or rather not there. Ouch!
Anjali performing her Arangetram at the Irving Arts Center, Irving
Tip 4: Family and Friend group shots.
Before the BIG day, I recommend making a list of family and friends that you would like to get group shots with. It often happens that after the Arangetram, friends and family huddle around the student to congratulate. There are folks who crowd in the hallways and take pictures. There is a rush of people to get the picture taken and often some people get missed. Talk with your Photographer beforehand where he/she would like to get these shots done and let your guests know to arrive to that location after the Arangetram. It is always best to take group pictures with family just before the Arangetram, when the makeup is GOOD.
Group Shots after Arangetram
Tip 5: Even in the digital age, PRINTS are still sexy
After the event is over and the Photographer hands over digital copy of the images. Most people are very happy with the CD of images and rarely print them and look at it again. Considering it was momentous occasion in your life and a big achievement, it seems a rather lame way of looking at your images. Plus the picture is only going to look as good as your monitor or digital frame. A print on the other hand will always show you true colors and has a feel that is more personal and intimate. You should check with your Photographer if he/she can deliver a coffee table style book or album. This is the perfect way to treasure and look at them after many years to come, even when your current digital technology is no longer working or obsolete.
Coffee table style Photo book
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