Posing or Freestyling: Music’s Role in Perfecting Pole Poses for Photoshoot

As a pole dance photographer based in Maryland, I have the privilege of photographing the incredible artistry and strength of movement artists in the aerial community. At Snapzbytie Photography, my mission is to provide images that showcase the gravity-defying skills unique to each dancer. One of the key elements that can make or break a pole dance photoshoot is the music. But oftentimes, dancers can’t decide if they should freestyle their session or pose. I always recommend doing what feels best for you. In this blog, let’s explore the benefits of both and how using music can help enhance your photoshoot experience. By the end, you should have a better idea of which will serve you better for your upcoming photoshoot.

The Power of Music

I love playing music, specifically your favorite kind of music, during sessions because it has the incredible ability to set the tone and mood for the photoshoot. It evokes emotions, inspires movement, and creates an atmosphere that allows dancers to fully express themselves. Different genres and tempos can influence the way you move and feel, leading to a more dynamic and engaging photoshoot.

Posing with Music

When posing to music, the rhythm, beats, and lyrics can help you find the right pole poses for photoshoot success that reflect your style and personality. Music acts as a guide, helping you sync your movements with the flow of the session. Here are a few tips for posing with music:

• Choose Your Soundtrack: Select music that resonates with you and fits the theme of your photoshoot. Whether it’s upbeat and energetic or slow and sensual, the right soundtrack will make the difference.
• Feel the Beat: Let the music guide your movements. Use the rhythm to transition smoothly between poses, ensuring that each position looks natural and fluid. Also, playing the music can help you get into character. Once you are settled in your pose you can give it that extra umph factor.
• Communicate with Your Photographer: Synchronization between you and your photographer is crucial. Discuss the music choice and the desired mood ahead of time to ensure you’re both on the same page.

Freestyling to Music

Different from posing, freestyling offers you a level of spontaneity and authenticity that the former does not. Recently, I had a mover freestyle her entire session. Yes, the entire 25 minutes with a break. This resulted in her having a stunning variety of images to choose from. From her session, I saw that freestyling can do the following for a session:

• Natural Flow: Freestyling allows you to move naturally and intuitively, creating genuine and expressive moments.
• Variety of Shots: The spontaneous nature of freestyling often leads to a wider range of images, capturing different angles, expressions, and movements—sometimes, movements you haven’t even done before.
• Emotional Expression: Music can evoke emotions that translate into your dance, allowing for powerful and evocative photographs.

Posing vs. Freestyling: Which is Better?

Now, after all of that, you are probably trying to decide which one is best for you for a session. I am always going to say do what’s best for you. While I always say don’t try something new at a photoshoot, I think you can with freestyling and posing because if you find that it doesn’t work for you, you can communicate that with your photographer. However, if you are up for the challenge and experienced enough, try the thing you haven’t.

If you want to incorporate more freestyle, tap into those choreography classes you take. There’s always a favorite set or two that you can go through and have the photographer capture the movement.

If you want to incorporate more poses, have moves that you know you can execute and hold. This is going to be your trajectory for success.

Conclusion

Incorporating music into your pole dance photoshoot can transform the experience, bringing out the best in both posing and freestyling. At Snapzbytie Photography, I encourage dancers to experiment with music to discover what works best for them. Whether you prefer the structure of posing or the freedom of freestyling, music can enhance your session and result in stunning, expressive images. By carefully selecting your soundtrack, you can find the perfect pole poses for photoshoot success. Ready to showcase your gravity-defying skills? Book a session today and let’s create something magical together.