DANCER AS MOTIF
Pay $750 deposit with registration to secure your spot.
Full workshop fee is $3,900 (option to pay in full now, or pay balance by March 20)
OVERVIEW
Join us in New York City for Dancer as Motif, a photography workshop focused on the human figure.
I collaborate with choreographer Alexandra Light to co-lead this workshop. Together, we guide you through a unique interdisciplinary curriculum inspired by themes and ideas about figures and form in photography and in dance.
Throughout the weekend, you’ll have multiple opportunities to photograph live models who are professional dancers. These photo shoot sessions will focus on portraiture and the dancer in variation (full body and detail, single figure and partners, still and in motion, e.g.).
The Dancer as Motif workshop is designed with three goals in mind:
– Gain an enriched understanding of the human figure across art forms.
– Walk away with increased confidence in your ability to creatively and thoughtfully photograph the human figure.
– Produce a small body of photographic figure studies for your portfolio.
DATES & SCHEDULE
In-Person Experience:
APRIL 24-26, 2026
The workshop will begin early evening on Friday, April 24 and continue through early evening Sunday, April 26. The first night will include a light meal, mingling, and presentation. Saturday and Sunday will be full days of shooting, presentation and image review. See sample schedule.
Preview and Prep:
LATE MARCH (date TBA), 2026
Virtual “orientation” session with Ted Forbes and Alexandra Light
KEY COMPONENTS AND CONTENT
A “preview and prep” session with Alexandra and me. This virtual gathering will occur in late March 2026.
Presentation and dialogue about figurative studies in visual art and in dance with emphasis on themes such as form and composition, line and geometry, gesture, movement, and abstraction.
Guidance on photographic techniques, composition, visual language, and more.
Multiple photo shoot sessions designed to workshop through ideas about the figure, with specific assignments and direction from Alexandra and me. Models will be professional ballet dancers and sessions will occur indoors with emphasis on using available light only. Weather permitting, we may opt for an outdoor shoot as well.
Education on photographing proper dance technique from the perspective of dance professionals, including classical form, contemporary/modern form, pointe work, footline, legline, armline, and more.
Time to look at and learn from your work as you create it. The workshop schedule will include specific breaks for image review and discussion with instructors and peers.
Preparation for working with dancers as models, including a review of on-set vernacular, common mistakes, expectations, performance photography, and technical education.
Alexandra and I will also host a virtual “reunion” and group image review approximately one month following the workshop.
LOCATION
Join us in New York City for this multi-day workshop. A local studio space will be the main site for group activities.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
Photographers with a strong interest in the human form in its many variations—portrait, gesture, shape and line, figurative study, still and in motion. Individuals with collaborative experience and those who are curious about collaboration with other artists. Photographers who are new to portrait and figurative photography will find this workshop helpful in terms of coaching for this type of photography. The program is open to all skill levels—beginner to advanced.
ADDITIONAL NOTES
Limited to 14 participants.
Plan for some walking and stair climbing throughout the weekend.
What’s included:
Virtual pre- and post-workshop sessions
Individual and group instruction/coaching from Ted Forbes and Alexandra Light
Model/dancer fees
Studio space rental fees
Three meals: welcome meal (Friday), group dinner (Saturday), and lunch (Sunday)
Snacks and water in the studio (Saturday and Sunday)
What’s not included
Travel (airfare, etc.) and accommodations in New York City
Travel/health insurance (highly recommended)
Meals not mentioned above, and alcohol
Reach out to studio@tedforbes.com with questions about the workshop.
TED FORBES AND ALEXANDRA LIGHT
This experience is a rare opportunity to work with two accomplished professionals working across the visual and performing arts fields.
Ted Forbes, the celebrated creator of The Art of Photography on YouTube and author of Visually Speaking, is a leading figure in photography education.
Alexandra Light, a principal dancer for Texas Ballet Theater until her retirement in 2025, is currently a full-time choreographer with an extensive portfolio focused on abstract and narrative works. She participates in numerous national and international creative residencies, teaching projects, and festivals.
Ted and Alexandra have previously collaborated on the documentation of multiple dance works by the choreographer. This will be their second Dancer as Motif workshop.
FEE INFORMATION
The full workshop fee is $3,900. Your spot is secured with the $750 deposit.
Upon registration, you may opt to pay in full. Alternatively, if you register with the deposit only, the balance will be due March 20, 2026. You will be invoiced for the balance one week prior to the due date.
CANCELLATION & REFUNDS
Cancel on or before March 20, 2026 — all workshop fees refunded less 15% for administrative fees. Cancel on or after March 21, 2026 — no refund will be given. All cancellations must be submitted via email to studio@tedforbes.com.
If the minimum of 8 participants is not reached by March 20, 2026 the event will be canceled and all fees fully refunded.
All dancer images credited to Ted Forbes. Workshop images credited to Linda I’Anson and Nicole Forbes