Essential Gear for Your Next Dance Photoshoot – What to Bring and Why

💡 Not sure what to pack for a dance photoshoot?

Whether you're shooting in a studio or on location, packing the right gear is the difference between feeling prepared and totally flustered mid-shoot. Good news? You don’t need every piece of tech in your kit—just the right pieces.

Here’s my go-to checklist for what to bring to your next dance photography session, along with a few optional extras that can elevate your shoot (and save you time in post).

✅ Essential Dance Photography Gear Checklist

📷 1. Your Camera Body

DSLR or mirrorless—whatever you’re most confident using. Knowing your camera well is more important than having the fanciest one.

🔍 2. A Fast Lens

Prime lenses like a 50mm f/1.8, 85mm f/1.4, or a 70-200mm f/2.8 are all perfect for capturing movement, isolating the subject, and working with available light.

💡 3. A Reliable Light Source (Optional)

If you’re shooting indoors or in lower light, bring a speedlight, LED panel, or portable flash setup. If you're working with natural light—think golden hour—make sure to bring reflectors or diffusers.

🔋 4. Extra Batteries & Memory Cards

You’ll likely take hundreds of frames (especially if you’re capturing jumps or motion blur), so pack more than you think you'll need!

✍️ 5. Posing or Shot List Notes

Jot down key poses or ideas you want to try with your dancer so you're not winging it on the spot. I always recommend starting with a core pose formula to build confidence (hint below!)

🪑 6. Low Stool or Shooting Chair (Optional)

A stool helps you stay eye-level with the dancer’s body—especially for floor work or seated poses. It can also double as a creative prop!

⚠️ What You Don’t Need:

❌ Every lens you own

❌ Complicated lighting setups (unless you love them!)

❌ A suitcase of gear “just in case”

Simple, intentional tools will give you cleaner setups, more creative freedom, and way less stress on the day.

🎯 Want to walk into your next shoot with a solid posing plan, too?

The best gear in the world can’t help you if your posing falls flat. That’s why I created the FREE 5 Pose Formula—a go-to system you can follow at any dance photoshoot to create confident, dynamic images in minutes.

👉 Click here to download the Dance Photo Formula

✨ Save it to your camera roll so you’ve always got a plan (even if the nerves kick in). Your dancer will thank you—and your photos will speak for themselves.