Behind the Lens: Six Days of Dance at the Southsea Dance Festival

This October half term, our team joined hundreds of dancers, teachers, and families for six incredible days of performance at the Southsea Dance Festival, a fun and friendly event that celebrates all styles of dance and the passion behind them.

Hosted at Portsmouth Grammar School, the festival featured novice and open solos, duets, trios, quartets, and group sections, with dancers performing across ten different styles.

Setting Up for the Festival

We arrived the day before to set up our print-on-site set-up and viewing boards, making sure everything was ready for the busy week ahead. One of the benefits of our setup is its flexibility, we can work efficiently with as little or as much space as an event provides.

At Southsea, we were fortunate to have plenty of room for our desk and a bright, open area to display our viewing boards in the light and airy foyer. It created the perfect space for dancers and families to browse through their images and relive their performances throughout the festival.

Take a look at this!!!

Heading there the day before also allowed us time to test the all-important stage lighting, ensuring it was as bright and even as possible to help us capture the very best photos.

After a full day of preparation, it was time to grab some dinner and get ready for the week ahead. We stopped at El Greco, a brilliant local restaurant we enjoyed so much, we went back twice during our stay!

Capturing the Festival

With everything in place, the festival got underway, a packed schedule of performances spread across six brilliant days of dance. From the very first routine, the atmosphere was full of energy, excitement, and pride.

We had 3 photographers who worked tirelessly throughout the week, capturing everything from expressive solos to high-energy group routines.

Across the event, we captured over 12,000 photographs, each one showcasing the hard work and talent of the dancers who took to the stage. With a wide range of dance styles and ages, the variety of performances made every session feel fresh and inspiring.

The Southsea Dance Festival is known not only for its friendly, community-driven atmosphere but also for its professionalism. As a Full Member of The British & International Federation of Festivals for Dance, Music & Speech, and now an All England Southern Regional Qualifying Festival, it’s an event that truly celebrates dance at every level, from first-time performers to those aiming for national qualification. For us, it was a privilege to be part of it and capture it all.

Instant Prints and Digital Downloads

Alongside capturing every performance, our print-on-site service is a big part of what makes our dance festival coverage so popular. We aim to have each section’s photos ready by the time adjudicating has finished, ensuring a quick turnaround for viewing. Everyone can see their images displayed on the boards or take a closer look on our larger screens for a better view before deciding what to order.

We use industry-leading software to manage and deliver photos efficiently, ensuring speed, and a smooth experience for everyone involved.

We offer high-quality prints produced on-site, so families can take home professional photographs the very same day. It’s a great way to let dancers see and celebrate their achievements while the excitement of the performance is still fresh.

For those who prefer digital copies, instant downloads are also available, with images delivered directly via email within seconds of purchase. It’s quick, simple, and ensures every dancer’s best moments are available to share, post, or keep forever, even before the festival has finished.

This combination of instant prints and rapid digital delivery means every visitor can enjoy a professional and efficient experience that matches the energy and organisation of the Southsea Dance Festival itself.

Looking Back on a Brilliant Festival

As the final routines came to an end and the stage lights dimmed, it was clear how much hard work and heart had gone into making this year’s festival such a success. From the first day of setup to the final photo upload, it was a week full of creativity, teamwork, and unforgettable performances.

By Friday evening, our team had uploaded all 12,000+ photos to the online gallery, ready for dancers, teachers, and families to browse through and relive their favourite moments from the week. Thanks to our industry-leading gallery software, photos could be easily found using selfie or time search, making it quick and simple for everyone to locate their images and enjoy them while the festival was still fresh in their minds.

A huge thank you to the Southsea Dance Festival team for having us, it was a pleasure to be part of such a well-organised and welcoming event.

📧 Interested in professional photography for your dance competition or festival? Get in touch with our team today at hello@lw-photo.co.uk.