It’s been said time and again that the best camera is the one that’s in your hands, and for the most part, that’s true. BUT, there are a few things to consider to ensure that you are capturing stellar action shots.

1. Equipment. Every photographer will have their personal preference and equipment of choice. The camera and lens that I currently use have been around for a bit, and there are mirrorless cameras out there that in many ways can outperform my DSLR, but for now, my trusty Canon 5D Mark IV and 24-70mm f/2.8 lens are my go-to choice when it comes to capturing dance and action photos. The Canon 24-70 f/2.8 is a fast lens that grabs and holds focus and has been reliable time and again for capturing and freezing motion. The Canon 70-200mm is also an excellent sports lens, but is quite heavy and not for everyone. Camera settings that are essential for capturing action shots are high speed continuous shooting and high shutter speeds. I set my shutter speed at a minimum of 1/500 (preferably 1/1200+ if the lighting allows). The faster shutter speeds freeze the motion, so your dancer’s action is sharp and not blurred.

2. Choose a location that does not compete with the dancer. The focus of your image is the dancer. Choose locations that enhance and allow the dancer to be the main focus. Architecture and cities are my go-to location of choice for dance photography. The dancer doesn’t get “lost” in abundant florals in nature but rather stands out and strikes a beautiful balance of strength and grace among tall buildings and architecture.

3. Focus on their strengths. Every dancer is unique and will have different strengths that they want to accentuate and have captured. Ask them what their favorite moves, jumps, leaps, or poses are, and highlight those strengths in the images you capture for them.

4. Anticipate the movement. Communicate with the dancer and plan what motion or jump they are going to be doing, so you can anticipate where they will be performing the move. This allows you to have your focus points and settings selected ahead of time, which will prevent your dancer from having to repeatedly jump and pose before the perfect shot is accomplished.

5. Count down for them. This is another step that helps both you as the photographer and the dancer to prevent the necessity of repeated jumps and more. You are both in sync with the motion and timing, so it can be perfectly captured. Are you ready to get out there and capture some dance photos? 5, 6, 7, 8, GO!