Dance Ambassador Program
Applications Close May 1st, 2023
*Early Decision Applications Due February 1st, 2023
Are You the Ideal 2023 Dance Ambassador?
Bold | Memorable | Artistic | Outgoing
Do you have a passion for dance and a desire to have fun sharing the spotlight with a network of like-minded dancers from across the country? In my search for 2023 Dance Ambassadors, I’m looking for a diverse group of dancers of all ages, genders, backgrounds, and ethnicities.
The Ambassador program is a place to meet other dancers from across the country, showcase your unique talents through photos taken at creative photoshoots, build your social media following, and gain valuable skills to help you succeed in a future career in dance, modeling, or entertainment.
"Thank you for doing such an incredible job capturing my favorite little humans!"
-Under the Spotlight Dance Co | Imagine National Dance Challenge | Chicago, IL
Hey There!
I’m Zoe, a traveling photographer who has captured images of tens of thousands of dancers across the U.S.. My images have been published in over a dozen publications.
As a dance and portrait photographer, I have had the joy of capturing clients doing what they love in California, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Over the past few years, I have fallen in love with capturing the unique passion of the dance community. My passion has brought me the privilege of photographing dance competitions across the country, including the World Dance Pageant and World Dance Championships in 2021. With the 2023 Dance Ambassador Program, I am looking for talented, passionate, and ambitious dancers of all ages and disciplines who are looking to grow and share their artistic expression with the world through beautiful images.
Benefits
Up to 2 free individual photoshoots in locations across the country ($495 value per photoshoot).
Free participation in up to 20+ planned group photoshoots in locations across the country ($395 value per photoshoot).
1 headshot or personality portrait for use in photogenic competitions during the 2023 dance competition season ($95)
5 high-resolution edited images per photoshoot for sharing on social media, using in modeling portfolios, or printing ($50 value per photoshoot).
Credits toward additional high-resolution images & free photo sessions for referrals (up to $1,000 value).
Permission for your home dance studio to share watermarked images on their social media & website ($25 value per image).
Training on how to use the images from our sessions to grow your social media following.
Potential to have your images published in Dance & Photography Magazines.
Potential opportunities to model for dance attire companies.
Opportunities to make new friends with dancers across the country.
*Total value between $1,980 and $13,485 depending on Ambassador’s level of participation in the program.
Role of an Ambassador
As an Ambassador of the program you will be expected to:
Actively promote your images from our work together on social media through the duration of the program. (The number of posts will be based on the number of sessions you choose to participate in).
Attend 1 individual and 2 group photo sessions.
Sign a model release allowing images to be used on my website & social media, and for submission to various publications including dance and photography magazines.
Have parent or legal guardian’s permission to participate (if under 18 years old).
Pay the $650 enrollment fee ($500 if the application is received prior to June 1st).
"Thank you for these photos of my daughter. They are breathtaking and literally the most amazing [dance] photos we've ever received."
-Lindsay | DreamMaker Talent Competition | Zanesville, OH
Tour dates.
Know of a location you think would be perfect for 2023? Send me an email at zoe@zoegregoryphoto.com
August 2023
TBD
Group & Individual Sessions
September 2023
TBD
Group & Individual Sessions
October 2023
TBD
Group & Limited Individual Sessions
November 2023
TBD
Group & Individual Sessions
"That’s my daughter! …her ID Detroit pics were my favorite ever. Absolutely phenomenal. You are so talented. Thank you!
-Chloe D. | ID National Dance Competition | Detroit MI
FAQs
Is there an age requirement?
While there is not a minimum (or maximum) age requirement for participation in the Ambassador Program, a minimum of 5 years of dance training is strongly encouraged.
Dancers with less than 5 years of experience who have a written recommendation letter from their dance teacher will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please email recommendation letters to zoe@zoegregoryphoto.com after filling out your application.
Do I need to have a certain number of social media followers?
The program is open to any dancer looking to grow their social media presence - and includes some training on how to expand their reach on social media. It is preferred that the dancer have at least 400 active followers. Accounts appearing to have a large number of fake (or purchased) followers will not be considered.
Can I have a private Instagram account?
While I understand the privacy concerns that can come with social media, at this time only applicants with public Instagram accounts will be considered (however younger ambassadors are welcome to have Instagram Accounts that are parent-run). Certain photo sessions throughout the Ambassador Program may include collaborations with dance attire companies, studio spaces, etc. which often leads to third-party sharing/cross-posting of some of the images from our sessions. As a member of the Ambassador Program, you knowingly accept the chance of images from our sessions being used in marketing for collaborating brands and being featured in print.
Can my child’s Instagram be parent run?
I totally understand the privacy concerns that come with your child having a public social media profile. Ambassadors are more than welcome to have a parent-run account - however, the parent running the account will still be expected to participate in the same required posts as dancers who run their own social media profiles.
What is the time commitment?
Membership in the Ambassador Program lasts from July 2023 to December of 2023 and requires attendance at a minimum of 1 individual photo session and a minimum of 2 group photo sessions. Individual photo sessions will last roughly 1 hour, while group sessions may last up to 4 hours.
Ambassadors are welcome to attend all sessions (including those in other cities). Applicants for the Ambassador Program living outside the cities currently listed on the tour schedule must be willing to travel to the minimum number of sessions.
What if I don’t have a studio to call home?
While it’s preferred for Ambassadors to be actively studying at a dance studio, any dancer with a minimum of 5 years of dance training will be considered.
Is there a cost to being an ambassador?
Yes. The Ambassador Program experience includes a minimum of 3 free photo sessions, free high-resolution digital images, credit towards additional free high-resolution images, credit towards print images, credit towards future photo sessions, and customized swag. The registration fee of $650 is due within 15 days of receiving your acceptance letter, and will quickly be made back with the total value of the program being between $1,980 and $13,485 depending on your level of participation as an Ambassador in the program. Dancers accepted to the Ambassador Program who submit their application prior to February 1st, 2023 will receive a $150 discount on their registration fee.
Can I be an Ambassador for another company?
Being part of an Ambassador Program can be a great opportunity for any dancer, and it’s so exciting you are considering applying for multiple programs (or are already a contracted Ambassador for a company). While there is not an exclusivity clause in the contract for this program, please check to make sure there is no exclusivity clause in the contract for any other program you might already be affiliated with.
Do I need to already have professional dance photos to be an Ambassador?
Not at all! I understand not all dancers have had the opportunity to work with a professional photographer prior to applying for the program, and that is totally okay!
What is a group photo session?
Group photo sessions are held at various locations throughout the Ambassador Program Tour and are an opportunity for Ambassadors to hang out with each other while also creating fun, unique, and artistic images together. During group sessions, we will take photos of you individually, in small groups, and in a large group with all of the Ambassadors attending that session.
How do I request a city for the 2023 Ambassador Program Tour?
I am SO excited you are interested in having the 2023 tour be part of your favorite city. If you have a city you are hoping to be included next year, click here to fill out the “2023 Request a Location” form.
"Fabulous pictures!!! Thank you SO much for including my daughter! You made her whole day!!!”
-Kellie M. | DreamMaker Talent Competition | Zanesville, OH
Apply Now
Want to be part of the 2023 Ambassador Program? Apply now!
Applications close May 1st, 2023
*Early Decision Applications Due February 1st, 2023
