14 years ago, despite 5 years of shooting, I had not gotten comfortable with who I was as a photographer. I knew I loved it, and I had done a few paid sessions- your typical fledgling photographer stuff- such as families, a wedding here and there, high school seniors, etc. However, nothing was really clicking, so I decided I wanted to be a photojournalist. At the time, I had just broken up with my boyfriend who I lived with, moved back home, starting working at a local pizza place, and I had landed an internship at the local newspaper. This was all in preparation for going to to Ohio University to pursue a degree in photojournalism, which I ultimately quit after one semester.
Flash forward to late summer 2010. I’ve just started dating my now-husband, and I’m meeting his older sister for the first time. We were stopping over at her house really quick for some other reason, so it was a relatively brief meeting, but we did end up discussing my photo work. She mentioned she had a need for a photographer to come take some promo photos for her newly acquired pole and aerial fitness studio, and I eagerly accepted the opportunity to shoot something I’ve never seen before. This was my introduction into aerial fitness photography, burlesque, pin up, and so much more. My now-SIL was the first person to tell me I could become a professional photographer, and gave me the foundation for the work that I am now known for.
Prior to this shoot I’d only dabbled with flash and studio lighting, and this was a very DIY studio session.
While looking back, this was a hell of a rough go at it, it definitely opened up doors to working with the studio as the official photographer for over 13 years. Through those years I developed what is now know as an “action shoot,” where I came with all of my lights, equipment, and usually a fog machine, to photograph the students and staff on the various apparatuses at the studio. These were all day events that were super fun, if not totally exhausting, where I got to capture all of the hard work the students had achieved during class. It also allowed me the opportunity to try out new techniques, lighting set ups, etc.
In my career I’ve taken tens of thousands of aerial fitness images, however I’ve never really talked about it on social media, and rarely shared that part of my portfolio online. Part of that is just the general limitations I’ve had with bringing my aerial photography to my level as an artist. Aerial photos require equipment and a space in which that equipment can be rigged, so I was always limited on where and when I could shoot creative aerial fitness work. There have been concepts, services, and ideas I’ve wanted to develop for years within this particular style of photography, and it wasn’t until this year that I discovered how I could make these ideas a reality.
The issues of proper location, equipment, and more have held me back from taking my aerial fitness photography out of a less-than-exciting-gym environment and into something spectacular. However, my fellow photographer friend, Jess Hess of Wurmwood Photography, who works/lives out of an incredible old church in Dayton, did an aerial shibari photoshoot in the sanctuary of her studio. I’ve rented Jess’s studio space many times before, since it’s such a cool and unique location, but it didn’t dawn on me that the vaulted ceiling and the beams in the sanctuary would be perfect for an action shoot until the moment I saw her photos. With help from my very accomplished aerial friend (who has just about any apparatuses you could think of), we booked a day to do a promo shoot. Let me tell you, the images were better than I even imagined they would be!
Besides finally getting to take aerial fitness photos in a unique and gorgeous location, I also was finally able to delve into something I felt the aerial fitness photography world needed- accessible aerial fitness videography. One of the biggest things I noted through out my career working within this niche, is that there are just some tricks that are incredibly impressive, but do not translate well to still images. I had a vision of creating simple, cinematic, digital videos edited for social media, and I’m so happy to share that I was able to make this service a reality!
If the player will not load, click here to watch the video.
So why am I telling you all this? Well…I have secured this location for a one day action shoot event on May 4th (Star Wars Day!), 2024, and I’ve created special packages for any aerialist who wants to be photographed and filmed within this lovely space in Dayton, OH. You can find out more about available time slots, pricing, booking etc. by clicking here. While this day is going to be dedicated to hanging apparatuses (we will have silks, hammock, and tabling lyra available), if there is a demand we will return to this location for a pole or dance day.
2024 is all about trying new things, and so far it has absolutely invigorating!
SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS