August 2017 Featured Dance Photographer
Alexander DiMauro - Artkeh PhotographyAlexander DiMauro – Artkeh LLC, Photography
This month our featured photographer is Alexander DiMauro. He is the owner of Artkeh Photography based out of New Jersey. Alex has a great story and we can’t wait for you to read about it!
Business Name: Artkeh LLC
City & State: Haddonfield, NJ
Owner: Alexander DiMauro
Telephone and website: www.artkeh.com
Social Media Info:
Instagram: @artkeh
Facebook: @artkeh
DA: Why did you get into Photography?
Alex: I’ve been involved with the arts in one way or another since the 1980’s. At first, I was a musician and composer, by the 1990’s I was writing music for theater in the Chicago area. During this time, my sister was involved with photography and even had a darkroom in our basement when we were growing up. So, I can thank her for the early interest. I picked up my own camera in the 1990’s, hopped in a car and traveled, taking photos everywhere I went. In total during the 90’s I made it to over 30 states, and even a few other countries, developing a love for photography along the way. It wasn’t until after my kids were born that I started getting interested in photographing people, and specifically, kids. My daughter, who is 13, is a Rhythmic Gymnast, which is similar to dance in many ways. And my son, who is 6, likes to come with me to photo shoots. He’s been at close to 20 shoots already! Dance photography just seemed to be the perfect combination of taking portraits while being able to do something more artistic than just the usual portraits.
DA: What is your favorite location to shoot?
Alex: Honestly, almost anywhere! I don’t really have a favorite. I’ve done a lot of shooting in the studio in the past, but, I prefer outdoors, it’s just so much more fun. Even seemingly dull locations you can find cool spots and the right angle to get a great photo. I’ve found great locations all over. Although if I was pressed to give a location…probably Florida! Every time I visit I find new amazing locations.
DA: Who inspires you as a photographer?
Alex: This is a tough one because I’ve had so many influences over the years, being involved in the arts in various forms. But if we are talking specifically about dance photography, then that’s easy. The dancers themselves inspire me. When I see how hard they work following their dreams when I see the passion they have for dance and how they express themselves through movement. That is what inspires me to continue to try and capture moments for them and their families to remember. There really is nothing quite like dance, it is one of the grandest forms of art, in my opinion. Using movement to convey stories with more meaning than even words could say, and doing my best to try and capture those moments as best as I can.
DA: Do you have a personal favorite shot (or two)?
Alex: Yes, there are a few that stand out. One of my personal favorites and one of my most shared photos on Instagram that keeps popping up from time to time has been dubbed ‘the spider’. It features Cami @dancer_camster who is so amazingly talented! She’s balancing on the railings of a staircase, and really does look like a spider! Although I avoided labeling it ‘the spider’ on purpose, a majority of the reposts called it that anyway! So, the name has now stuck. Then there is Courtney @courtbelle28 who is also amazingly talented, and one of the hardest working people I have met, we got this one shot at a gate where she is bending backward on pointe shoes, with an arch made of leaves over her. One of my favorite shots of all time, for sure, and we got it by chance as we just happened to find the gate while driving around with her mom.
DA: If you could have the perfect photoshoot…who and where?
Alex: The ‘who’ part is harder to answer. I have been so humbled by the amazingly talented kids I have met, so many ‘whos’. I’d pick a big group and bring them all with their families to one of the amazing locations in Florida for a photo shoot if I could!
DA: What is one piece of equipment that you could not live without?
Alex: Umm…my camera? 🙂 May seem like too obvious of an answer, but it’s true. Of course, that’s two pieces of equipment, as I would need a lens, too!
DA: Any advice to help dancers relax when having a photoshoot?
Alex: The best advice I can give is to just be yourself. The best photos come from bringing out your unique personality. Just be you, because you are amazing, and the photos will turn out great!
DA: How can someone get in touch with you?
Alex: DM me on Instagram, message me on Facebook, or email me at info@artkeh.com
DA: What is the best place to view your work online?
Alex: Instagram has, by far, the biggest collection of my work.
So happy we got to talk to Alex about his experience as a dance photographer. Have an idea for our next feature? Use the contact form and let us know!
Dance On!! – DanceAdvisor.com 🙂
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Dancer: @sarah_georgiana – This picture is a Breakfast at Tiffany’s theme we did. This picture shows off Sarah’s amazing personality. One of the most fun kids to work with!
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Dancer: @molly_yancy – I was having trouble with the background in this picture and ended up just replacing it all together. It worked perfectly how it just blending in with the cloth in her hand. Molly is so talented, and giving her something a little more artistic really fit in with her amazing personality.
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Dancers: @mackenzie_lynne_dancer @jocelynmastro @dance_like_a_beastie – Three amazing kids that I had the honor to work with in Texas. Jocelyn I’ve known for a while and actually lives near me, Mackenzie and Berkley I met for the first time. Getting these three together was one of those amazing moments I won’t forget.
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Dancer: @morgan._.elizabeth – Morgan always dances with such confidence, it’s inspiring. This shot is one of my favorites, taken in downtown Philadelphia.
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Dancer: @layla_loves_to_dance – Layla is one of those kids who everyone likes. Such a sweet kid! And such an amazing dancer. The mix of flowers and fierce fits her perfectly!
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Dancer: @sarah_georgiana – One of my favorite photos. Everything just fit so well together, complete with the flowering tree in the background.
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Dancers: @sarah_georgiana @obdcmaddie – This photo is important because, after all, I’m working with kids. It’s important to let kids be kids and have some fun. Two best friends, they came up with this themselves, a play on team rivalries.
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Dancer: @courtbelle28 – I love the way this one came together, we tried many different poses in the window, but this one looked the best. Showing off the long hair and the contrasting colors in the outfit and the flowers in the background.
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Dancer: @courtbelle28 – One of my favorite photos of all time. Courtney is really amazing, works hard in everything she does. She took a pose and added her own twist to it, namely going on her toes and head on concrete! I was beyond amazed. This is a perfect shot.
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Dancer: @dancer_camster – One of those kids that never stops amazing me. Cami is not only a dancer, but an aerialist. Beyond talented. I love the way the flower petals on the ground add some color to this photo.
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Dancer: @dancer_camster – The now famous ‘spider’ pose. One of my most reposted photos on Instagram. It’s not just the pose, but the look on her face that makes the shot. One of my all time favorites.
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Dancers: @jada.priscilla @jocelynmastro – Adding color helps. They had on white leotards, on a white background, and I immediately thought of using all the white like a ‘canvas’ to paint on some color with the lights.
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Dancer: @dancerashlyn2008 – I had often used cloth in the studio for shots, but never really brought it outdoors. Ashlyn’s mom had brought some, so we tried it out and it worked perfectly! Love this shot, and Ashlyn is such a great kid! So full of energy, and easy to work with!
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Dancer: @mialepage – One of those ‘lucky’ moments. There was steam from construction behind her and I was trying to get it to look like it was coming out of her mouth. Got it really close, but did have to alter it a bit in post to make it perfect.
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Dancer: @kensington_dancer – Only 6, but one of those kids that you know is going to do great things. So talented for her age. What sets this photo apart from ones with a similar pose, in my opinion, is the arms and hands, very artistic.
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Dancer: @ava_zisko – Ava is young but such an elegant dancer. Really excels at ballet, I think this photo really shows off her gracefulness and elegance, even though the pose itself is simple.
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Dancer: @jocelynmastro – This little stool was actually in the bathroom! Jocelyn found it and immediately knew she wanted to do a pose with it. Worked out perfectly! It’s amazing what one little prop can do to make a shot.
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Dancer: @jocelynmastro – Playing around with backlighting and color, love the way this one turned out.
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Dancer: @giannajosephine – Gianna is another really talented kid, with a great personality. This photo is all her, she wanted to do something fun with a big ice cream cone and I think it came out perfect!
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Dancer: @jada.priscilla – Jada is another special person, so talented. Strong and athletic, but also fun and unique, this shot really sums her up perfectly. Even the grey skies can’t keep this from being one of my favorites!
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Dancer: @charlotte.dance – Many months of talking and anticipation before finally meeting Charlotte. She lives in Canada but we met in NYC. A dedicated and hard working ballet dancer who is so impressive and inspiring, but of course is still a kid with the fun playful side. This photo sums her up perfectly, the elegance of her movement combined with the playfulness of hailing a cab on pointe. Timing this one with a taxi in view was a challenge!
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Dancer: @emmy_dancer1 – Emmy is another one of my favorites to work with. What a fun personality! Hardly stopped laughing the whole time! But, she knows when to be serious, and this shot came out perfect, once again a play with backlighting.
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Dancer: @kadence.marie – Kadence is a spirited kid with a great sense of humor. I love the way this one came together, with the flowing outfit and the flowing water.
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Dancer: @bria5678 – Kambria is one of those kids that impressed me right from the start. We got along great during the shoot. This shot came together after trying several different poses on the ground, sometimes you have to just keep experimenting and something great will come out of it.
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Dancer: @courtbelle28 – One of my favorite photos of all time. Driving around the area with Courtney’s mom, we saw this gate by chance and knew we had to get a shot here! And I’m glad we did. Perfect spot just found by chance led to a perfect shot.
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Dancer: @courtbelle28 – Courtney has a talent for coming up with unique poses, and this one is no exception. The color of the leotard was perfect for this shot, too.
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Dancer: @gabriellemcdowel – Gabrielle is one of those kids that works with such enthusiasm. She and her family were some of the nicest people you could meet, too. I love the way this shot came together.
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Dancer: @elledobler – Ella is another one of those kids, only 6, but wow is she talented! I have a version of this photo where I straightened it, but in the end I think I liked the original slanted version better.
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Dancers: @stagelifemadi @stagelifeolivia @stagelifemadison @dancer_camster – This shoot was really fun, these kids worked so well together. I particularly like the way the background is blown out and the train tracks seemingly recede into the unknown.
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Dancer: @trisha.justdance – Trisha is another one of those kids that really impressed me. Such a talented dancer, and such a warm personality. Another one of my favorite shots, the look on her face really makes the shot.
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