I have heard a lot about a travelling dress collective a few times but in January 2019 I decided it was about time I push my creativity a little bit more than I normally would.

Therefore I decided to join a travelling dress collective with eleven other members from a photography background.

They were all living in England but spread mainly in the Southern region of the country.

I contributed towards the cost of a designer dress along with the other members and was allocated a set date.

My weekend happened to coincide with Easter weekend so knowing that I wouldn’t get my body into the sized 6/8 sequinned adorned piece by then, I searched for a more suitable model.

My model was Tara, she has an extensive dancing background and I used to dance with her Mother back when I was younger.

Tara is 16 years old and has recently been fortunate enough to receive a place at The Laine theatre dance school in London.

Having her last week of festivals she was only too happy to assist me on my own personal project.

We discussed ideas, locations, hair and make up and then set about our day,

Thankfully the weather was Summer-like and the sun shone amazingly as did Tara.

With pointe shoes and dancing tights she put on the dress and came alive as if ‘dancing’ to a score whilst on stage.

The passers by were in awe, many asking questions and telling us their dancing connections. One lady’s sister was a dance teacher in Zimbabwe, another man worked at the local Kings Theatre in Southsea for many years.

It was so great to see the public’s response, Tara was making many dance like movements, posès and I captured her in the essence of the atmosphere.

Our setting used was  Southsea Castle and surrounding walls and beautiful sand coloured wall backdrops. These really echoed the colour of the travelling dress and also Tara’s hair colouring too.

I asked Tara why she loved dancing so much and this is what she said to me;

I dance quite simply because its my passion. 

I love the release I feel when I dance and I am able to forget about the outside world for a while. Some dance is very emotive and I can relate so much to the music and express my feelings.

I love performing and sharing my passion with an audience, it is so rewarding.

I started dancing when I was three. My mum said I always danced round the room when music came on.

It’s always been in my family that we dance and I’m so happy I do!

After having been given offers from four dance colleges,I am so excited to further my training at Laine Theatre Arts, for a level 6 diploma in musical theatre.