Hilary Shedel Dance Photography

20th February 2008


I recently had the privilege of attending a workshop with well known dance photographer Hilary Shedel. The workshop was held at Hilary’s studio set in the beautiful rural landscape of the Staunton Harold Estate in Leicestershire. The Studio is in a very creative setting, being part of a small development of some of the old Estate buildings, hosting varied craft and design businesses.



I can thoroughly recommend one of Hilary’s workshops. They are particularly suited to people who are interested in studio dance photography, however they will also be of enormous benefit to anybody wanting to learn how to depict movement in a still image. The workshops are small, 5 people on the one I attended, so that all attendees get one-to-one help and tuition. On the workshop I attended we were able to work with an excellent professional dancer Alice Cade, who worked with the photographers to develop ideas into successful images. Even in the short interludes when I was not behind the camera I could learn just as much by watching others work, and especially by watching the interaction of performer and photographer. If you are nervous about the prospect of directing a professional dancer, then don’t worry. The whole process is very friendly and supportive and you will soon find that your confidence will grow in leaps and bounds equivalent to those of your subject!



We covered studio flash techniques and also continuous light work. Each methodology was used to demonstrate different ways to depict movement in a static frame. If you ever find that your photographs of moving subjects look still, lifeless and lacking in dynamic impact, then a day on one of Hilary’s workshops will certainly be an eye opener.



I produced all of the images on this page whilst at the workshop and I am now full of inspiration and enthusiasm to get moving with these techniques in my own work.

Thanks again to Hilary and if anybody reading this is inspired to book a place on one of her courses, then I may well meet you as I feel I will definitely be a repeat attendee.

Hilary Shedel’s contact details are

Phone: 01332 694 525
Email: hilaryshedel@btconnect.com

Alice Cade has her own dance company, The Abalino Dance Company. You can find out more about this at www.abalino.com