Freelance Dance Competition Photographer

Join us as a Freelance Photographer and explore the world while capturing stunning images of North America's largest dance competitions!

DanceBUG is on the lookout for skilled photographers for our February-June competition season. If you have experience shooting at sports events, concerts, dance performances, or any fast-paced live situations, we’ll provide you with training on our specific workflow and the art of dance photography.

Your responsibility: Shoot high-quality photographs. We take care of the editing!

Why You'll Love This Opportunity:

Starting pay at $25/hourGuaranteed minimum daily pay and event compensationPaid travel daysAll travel expenses covered, including flights, hotels, and rental carsPrivate hotel accommodationsMeal provisions or per diemUp to $700 equipment allowancePaid training sessionsNo need for photo editing!Consistent weekend assignments throughout the seasonSeason Duration: February-June
Travel Schedule: Typically Thursday/Friday through Sunday/Monday
Events Occur: Across the United States

Job Responsibilities:

Capture action-packed dance performances in dynamic lighting conditionsTake sharp, well-timed images of dancers in motionCollaborate with DanceBUG's media team during live competitionsBack up, transfer, and upload images following DanceBUG's protocolsNo previous dance photography experience? No problem!

All new hires will receive virtual training in January and participate in at least two live training events alongside experienced photographers before operating independently.

If you’re comfortable shooting action shots, we’ll teach you how to capture the essence of dance!

Photography Experience Needed:

We're seeking photographers with backgrounds in fast-paced subjects including:

SportsDanceConcertsTheatreGymnasticsFigure SkatingCheerleadingLive EventsYou must be proficient in shooting with manual mode and continuous autofocus (Servo/AF-C) under fluctuating lighting conditions.

Please note: Experience in portrait, studio, real estate, landscape, product, or architectural photography alone does not meet the requirements for this role.

Requirements:

Legally authorized to work in the United StatesReside within an hour's travel of a major airportAvailable for frequent weekend travel throughout the competition seasonPossess a valid U.S. driver's licenseHave either a passport or a REAL ID-compliant driver's licenseComfortable with driving up to 5-6 hours when necessaryAble to work long hours during events and lift approximately 25 lbsMust complete a criminal background check successfullyEquipment Needed:

Photographers are required to bring their own professional gear, including:

Two Canon, Nikon, or Sony mirrorless camera bodiesOne 24-105mm, 24-120mm, 24-70mm, or 35-150mm constant-aperture zoom lensOne 70-200mm zoom lensf/2.8 lenses preferred; f/4 is acceptableFour 64GB or larger memory cards and a compatible card readerAt least three batteries with two chargersA monopod for stabilizationPlease Note: DSLR cameras and other brands are incompatible with DanceBUG's proprietary photography system.

Ready to Become Part of Our Team?

Please submit:

A link to your live-action photography portfolioYour current city and stateA brief summary of your relevant photography experienceDanceBUG has been a leader in dance media and event technology for nearly 25 years. Join us for an exciting season filled with travel, live events, and incredible photography opportunities across the country!

Apply now - we can’t wait to hear from you!