Question 1

Is there any cost to me?

Accepted Answer

Nope, this is done for the benefit and amusement of the general dance community

Question 2

Will I get a copy of the original photo of me?

Accepted Answer

Of course!  I intend to make individual photos available on this website.    (I will select one or two of the best ones).      If you would like to pose for a few shots for yourself these will be available too.   Want a nice new Facebook profile picture?  We can do that!

Question 3

Where will the photos be taken?   Is there parking nearby?

Accepted Answer

We have been taking photos at View Ridge Playfield & Park, at NE 70th St and 45th Ave NE, in NE Seattle.   There is plenty of street parking on streets bordering the park.   See the map at bottom of page.  Google Maps lists View Ridge park as 4408 NE 70th St, Seattle, WA 98115   It's a small park but we'll plan to meet on the south side, this area has paved paths, and a brick structure (a bathroom).

Question 4

What kind of time slots are available?  How long will the photo session take?

Accepted Answer

The sign-up will take you to a calendar.   We're setting up slots on a few days of the week, check our calendar for availability.    People have been busy booking up slots, and we are now limiting the total # of bookings per week.  Also Peter & Kathie have their own blocked out times (did I mention, this is an evolving project?).   Keep checking back on the calendar availability!    Plan on spending around 30 minutes at the park for the session.

Question 5

Pretending to dance in a park seems weird.  How can I get into the right frame of mind?

Accepted Answer

Glad you asked.  We'll bring a portable Bluetooth speaker so we can gently play your favorite dance music to accompany the session!   Be thinking of what dance music you'd like to play in the background ... Swing? Waltz? Tango?  Feel free to cue up some music on your phone and link to the Bluetooth speaker, or let us know your ideas.   We have a few tunes that cover a few bases.   This is shaping up to be more of a mini-party than a photo shoot - it'll be a fun event!

Question 6

How many photos are we talking about here?   What kind of poses?

Accepted Answer

We'll want to get a number of different poses, to increase options for the group arrangement.   Several different poses would be good, maybe including a turn, or something dynamic, we have some ideas   Some poses with an invisible partner would be really fun.   It would be good to get a few shots, with your "partner" on the left, right, behind, in front.      Also - would you like a nice new profile picture for Facebook or other social media?  (or some other portrait for you)?  Since we'll already be set up in the beautiful park, with lights & camera, if you'd like to spend a bit of time getting some additional shots of yourself, this would be a great time!  Just ask.

Question 7

What about COVID-19? How many people will be involved?

Accepted Answer

The photo session will be outdoors with social distancing adhered to.    We will ask subjects to sign a release form to allow their pictures to be used and to acknowledge the risks of COVID-19. You'll get the form in an email to sign electronically, after you've booked a session.     All photo sessions are by appointment so the only people who will be present will be you (the subject), possibly another from your household, and Peter & Kathie.   Plus any stray kids running around the park.      We will follow Jay Inslee's current guidelines for COVID-19 precautions for Washington.  The photographer and assistant(s) (Peter and Kathie) will wear masks and keep social distance.   Jay Inslee's also has established guidelines for professional photographers in Washington in this stage of COVID-19. Since we'll be outdoors with no studio props, it should be easy to comply   For reference, here are links to some directives: June 20, 2020, WA Secretary of State Order 20-03, Face Coverings - Statewide May 15, 2020, Jay Inslee Proclamation 20-25, Stay Home - Stay Healthy May 15, 2020. Resuming Professional Photography – Proclamation 20-25 Phase 2 Professional Photography COVID-19 Requirements

Question 8

What exactly is this project?  What's all this about?

Accepted Answer

We've been taking photographs of individuals in dance-inspired poses.   The photo sessions have been safely following social distancing a la COVID-19.  The individual pictures are being merged into a number of fun group pictures.

Question 9

What's the plan if it is raining (or threatening)?

Accepted Answer

You'll provide your contact info in the booking form so we can communicate via email or text probably on the day of the shoot as needed.

Question 10

What should I wear for the photo?

Accepted Answer

I'm picturing an outdoor dance, like a Dancing til Dusk setting, so that might be guidance - comfortable dance clothes that will look ok in a photo.   If you have some kind of "extra" prop you'd like to use, like a hat or boa, don't hold back!

Question 11

When do I get to see the group picture?  Where will this be used?

Accepted Answer

Look on the Photo Albums area of this website, I am collecting both individual photos plus the composite group photos.  These collections are evolving!

Question 12

I'm in!  How do I sign up?

Accepted Answer

We're winding down this project so the best way is to contact me via the "Contact" page of this website

Question 13

Will I need to sign any forms?

Accepted Answer

Yes, once you've booked an appointment I will send out a release form to be signed (you can view a read-only version of the form at this link).  The form covers both using photos of you, and also words about COVID-19.

Question 14

How is that Community Dance Photo Composite project coming along?

Accepted Answer

Glad you asked.   We've finished the "photo taking" phase and now I am busy on the next p hase ... sorting through all of the great photos we've taken so far, cutting them out in Photoshop.   Stay tuned for updates!

Question 15

Everyone in these photos looks very happy ... what's going on?

Accepted Answer

Everyone has been missing each other in the dance community and has missed just getting out, getting a little dressed up, and going dancing.   This project was a great chance for folks to throw on some familiar dance clothes, get out and go to a dance event   Oh, and we had an amazing soundtrack playing on a Bluetooth speaker ... Dina Blade's album "Shall we Dance?".   Impossible to sit still while this is playing. We also played selections from Brian Lee & the Orbiters - their great "Identity Theft" album

Question 16

It looks like there is sidewalk chalk on the pavement all over the place ... explain please

Accepted Answer

Yup, the park is basically a sports-themed daycare during the summer and the kids have been quite creative with the sidewalk chalk.   We dropped by the park so often that we got to know various sports counselers by sight and would wave at them - they'd say "the dance photo people are back..."!

Question 17

Can I download these photos?

Accepted Answer

Yes.  The main photos are currently on Flickr, as you look at each photo, you'll see a download button (looks like an arrow that points downward), in the lower-right part of the web page.

Question 18

How exactly did you take these photos?  What about COVID-19?

Accepted Answer

We followed COVID-19 protocols to create these images.  Some of the dancers shown here are actual couples and danced together in person for the photos.  Most of the couple dance imagess, and all of the group images, were assembled in Photoshop, and the dancers were not able to dance together - these composites are a pale substitute!   We set up individual appointments in the park and took photographs of dancers individually (some couples) on different days/ times.    Kathie and I wore masks and stayed safely socially-distant from the subjects, who also wore masks except while actually being photographed.

Question 19

What if I want a print?  Can I order a print of one of the photos from this site?

Accepted Answer

As a matter of fact, yes you can.  Go to the "Order Prints" section in the menu across the top.   You can go for a plain paper print, or have your photo framed up and mailed to you. Other options are metal or acrylic prints, canvas wraps, and more

Community Dance Photo Series