Dance Studio Portraits

Why MXM Photography?

We understand and value the hard work you, as parents, instructors and assistants, put in taking your children to class, and recitals, buying costumes, and teaching them everything that is involved. We know how important those memories are as your children grow to love the art of dance. And we absolutely love the creativity behind the scenes when it comes to capturing those memories!
We work very closely with the staff to create a fun and relaxed portrait session for each child. Parents never have to decide how many photos they will purchase before they see the images. We utilize an easy online ordering system, where parents can browse their children’s portraits and place orders at their leisure.

How does it work?

The process is simple: all aspects of the portrait experience are handled by us, including parent communication, online viewing and ordering, print fulfillment, payment, and customer service.
After discussing your needs, a setup will be chosen (traditional or composite) and we’ll set up a portrait date. Depending on the number of participants, this may include multiple photographers and stations or multiple days. A questionnaire, and roster template will be sent to fill out and that’s it. From there your job is finished! You will be given a poster to hang/ digital image to share to announce photo day.
On Picture Day, we will set up at the desired location, and the children will be escorted by one of your volunteers to the portrait location. Several poses will be taken of each child. Every child will be photographed regardless of whether they plan to order!
Not long after Picture Day, photos will be ready for online viewing and ordering in private, password-protected galleries. Orders are then delivered directly to the purchaser’s home via the lab.

Planning Portrait Day

Contact me at mande@magicbymande.com or by using the Contact Form to check on availability. Magic By Mande Photography photographs in Wichita Falls, Burkburnett, Holliday, and surrounding areas.

I am comfortable photographing all ages but specialize in dancers from ages 3-12.

I prefer a minimum of 20 kids in order to bring my whole setup out. If your studio is smaller than that, feel free to reach out to another group to see if they want to do theirs at the same time or if I have an opening for a smaller studio!
I thrive on large quantities at once and will happily bring along a second (or third) photographer in order to accommodate!t!

No! There is no cost and in fact, I am happy to offer complimentary group photos for the studio!

Yes! I am licensed with the state of TX, city of Wichita Falls, and insured through the Professional Photographers of America!

During Portrait Day

Absolutely! Just let me know there is a sibling/family set and I’ll be happy to take that image for you!

Whenever is the most convenient! That could be at an evening class or during dress rehearsal week. I prefer to maximize the number of participants and minimize the number of times I need to set up and tear down.

Each child should take no more than one minute to get their photo taken. QR cards will be handed out by a volunteer or photographer assistant as the children arrive. The card is handed to the photographer when it’s their turn, several poses are taken and the card is handed back to give to a parent. That’s it!

Depending on time, each subject is offered 5 poses plus a group photo -either created digitally or photographed together. Parents may choose one, none, a handful, or all poses when ordering. Each child will also receive a customized memory mate of every pose (as long as there is a group available) and several customized individual photos in their gallery.

After Portrait Day

Each team receives a beautiful, easy-to-use online website that showcases each child’s photos in individually password-protected online galleries. Parents order right there in the gallery; it’s even easy to view sibling galleries and check out all at once!

If some parents need assistance with online ordering or prefer to pay via cash or money app, please have them contact me for assistance.

Orders are sent directly to the lab and will be shipped directly to the purchaser’s home usually within one week of ordering. Digitals are available for download immediately (within a few hours).

Online ordering accepts all major credit cards. For families that do not have online ordering access, payment can be made via Venmo, cash app, cash, or money order.

Of course! Have these parents contact Mande for assistance!

Parent Frequently Asked Questions

Absolutely. Just let me know when it is the younger child’s turn!

Definitely! Just let me know during their turn!

I do not require you to pre-order before seeing the images. You’ll make your selections in an online gallery a few days after the portrait date!

Online ordering accepts all major credit cards via Stripe. For families that do not have online ordering access, payment can be made via Venmo, Cash App, cash, or money order. 

Yes! Digital files are made immediately available for download as soon as I process the order.

One of the wonderful things about the online gallery is that anyone with the passcode (or forwarded link) can place an order. If your family members are out of state or not local, they can still have their orders shipped directly to them!

Absolutely! You will be sent a proofing gallery to view the images. All ordering is done online via a password-protected gallery. There is no pre-printing or viewing at pickup to purchase. 

Orders are sent directly to the lab and shipped directly to your door! They usually arrive within about a week later.

For any child who was not photographed or refused to be photographed, check the reshoot option and book a spot at the local studio! All dance reshoots will be taken on a white backdrop regardless of team background choice.

Take a look at the Parent Ambassador Program. It has rewards for parents whose teams/leagues book a portrait session with me, and it’s super easy to do!

If your child’s studio has selected MXM Photography to capture their dance portraits, rest assured that the experience will be comfortable, friendly, and fun!
  • DISCUSS PICTURE DAY, BUT DON’T STRESS YOUR CHILD OUT
    There’s no need to remind your child to smile, stand up tall, or keep their eyes open. (In fact, these types of instructions often make the process worse, because the child tries to do everything perfectly instead of just being natural in front of the camera!) I will do my absolute best to get those natural, genuine smiles you crave. I will have pose ideas available, but please feel free to have them choose their own ahead of time!
    *If you have special instructions, please let me know by email.
  • Costumes
    Dress your child in fresh costumes ensuring all pieces are accounted for. Hair and makeup should be done as though it were dress rehearsal day. Full-body photos will be taken, so please include proper footwear!
  • SIBLINGS
    If siblings dance together or are being photographed on the same day, I am happy to take a sibling photo! Please just let me know when it is your child’s turn you’d like a sibling photo (or remind the dance teacher). Sibling photos are typically taken during the younger child’s turn.