BLAZE the new concept show at the Peacock Theatre 11th-28th March

I went along to the Peacock theatre in London to photograph the Blaze company. Wow it is going to be a great show. I also interviewed Chris Baldock, who is the Director of this new company. The choreography of the show has been a collaboration of different choreographers but Chris has worked closely with Anthony Van Last and between them they have devised the concept and also a blue print for the other choreographers to follow.

The interview will be published in the May edition of the magazine Dance Dynamic. There will also be a review of the show and photographs.

EM/ What styles of dance are in the show

CB/ New style,House,Popping, Locking, New Jack Swing, Vogue, tap, contemporary and of course Break dance.

Watch this space for more news and a taster of the review. The World premier is on the 16th March and I will be there!

Wells Winter Weekend 2010/ February 28th 2010

I photographed at the Wells winter weekend which is organised by Francesca Filipi and her Mum. What a treat for the dancers! Francesca is a member of the Royal Ballet and she brings in her friends and colleagues to help teach. On Sunday Steven McCrae a Royal ballet principal was teaching and coaching the three boys who attended the course.

I recently reviewed Steven in the one act ballet

'Les Patineurs'

'Steven McCrae skates onto the stage in a low key way then jumps into the air producing a string of dazzling beats followed by perfect pirouettes. A joy to watch!'

Debra Lamb another principal dancer in the Royal Ballet coached and taught class to the girls. She even gave a short performance at the end of the day.

Francesca teaches with passion and conviction and inspires all her pupils to explore and discover new ways of moving and interpreting the dance.

A wonderful dancer from the Rambert came to teach the contemporary classes. Everybody had a lot of fun even if the moves were not always in the bag!

The pianists played superbly throughout the day and were appreciated by the dancers and teachers.

The Awards were given at the end of the day in a friendly and encouraging atmosphere.

The next Wells Weekend will be at the end of August. They are not to be missed if you are hoping to dance professionally.

Flamenco Festival/Mabel Ryan Awards February 23rd 2010

The FLAMENCO Festival is in its second week at Sadlers Wells. I am reviewing Nuevo Ballet Espanol/ Cambio de Tercio and the Gala Flamenca/ Todo Cambia on the 26th February

Photograph Ballet Flamenco/ Eva Yerbabuena by Elaine Mayson

Watch this space for a taster of the reviews and more photographs.

I will be reviewing for Dance Dynamic the new production Blaze at the Peacock Theatre from Thursday 11 March to Sunday 28th March. It is a mixture of night club vibes and West End production values. I will also be interviewing the Artistic Director Chris Baldock. This Should be an amazing show. I will put a taster on my blog! Another very exciting interview will be taking place soon! Top secret at the moment until it is confirmed

NEW EXCITING NEWS!!

I now have a selection of the pdfs of my articles with photographs on my web site for you to view. Go to my dance web site and click on the tab at the side dance reviews.

www.elainemaysonphotography.co.uk

See the magazine Dance Dynamic March issue which is out now for my review on Matthew Bournes Swan Lake which is in its 14th year!

Mabel Ryan Awards

I photographed the ISTD Awards for the Junior and Lower Junior Cechetti pupils.

They all dance exercies in a group and then perform a dance in groups of 3.

There is a lovely atmosphere and it gives the children a chance to dance on the stage and get a feeling of performing to an audience. Some very proud parents were clapping at the end as the awards were given by Mary Goodhew and Caroline Wright.

All the photographs are for sale on my dance web site.

Dance schools & The Battersea Wedding Fair plus tips for brides

February 15th 2010

I photographed the Debra Lamb School of dance a week ago. The pupils of the school were at their dress rehearsal of their annual show and were able to pose for me in between their dance numbers. All the pupils hair was neat and attractive and they all had fun posing for the camera. I sold the photographs with my assistant John on Saturday a week later at the theatre. The parents loved the photographs. Having had an extensive career in dance I can help the poses come to life and capture any jump or leap. Though everybody has camera phones and digital cameras not many people have equipment to set up a studio and this is a cost effective way of getting studio shots of your children for just £10 per photograph including a mount. If any Dance Schools are interested in Elaine Mayson Photography visiting their school then selling the photographs at the annual display/show then contact her on 0208 977 0319
I will travel any where within England subject to the size of school or the number of pupils to be photographed. I am happy to travel to Scotland or abroad but my travel and accomodation costs would need to be paid.
Added bonus I pay the school 10% of my earnings

Weddings

I visited the Battersea Wedding Designer Show. It was good fun! It was all on behalf of research as I am thinking of exhibiting at the fair. However it was Valentines Day and what the heck! Lets enjoy ourselves. Yes it was my boyfriends idea so off we went by car tube and then luxury ...taxi to the show. The fair is in a modern tent like building and there is a large cafe as you enter. All the muscians take their turns to sing or play to the captive audience. It is a good idea. We wandered round the stands and did the research then watched the designer wedding show. I loved the models hair styles!. Exquisite. Hairdresser Michael Van Clarke is a genius. Look him up on the web.

Working too hard we decided a glass of champagne and a moment of romance was needed. As we sat sipping the bubbly the models waltzed between the tables in divine cocktail dresses and adorable shoes. They stopped infront of my man and smiled at him hoping he would jump up and rush off to buy the outfit for me! However he kept seated enjoying the attention immensely.After visiting my friend Beach on his DJ Sliding Vinyl ( excellent DJ book him now) stand we decided enough was enough of romance and we caught the complimentary bus back to Sloane Square and home.

Will I be asking for permission to exhibit?. I don't think so only because there were thirteen photographers all selling similar work to a limited but hopefully for them serious and wealthy brides.

Tips on the dresses out there for you in 2010

If you are tall it is great to have the shape of dress that hugs yours hips and then flares out at your calf. Very flattering. Not everybody suits strapless dresses. Try on other styles you might be surprised how beautiful a v or rounded neck line can be on you.If you are getting married in a large church then I would go for a train or a long veil. Its the entrance of your life so make the most of it. Great for my photographs as well!

For lots of photographs go to www.elainemaysonphotography .co.uk

February 4th 2010

Hectic first week back from my hols. Planning some exciting interviews and reviews in the dance World so watch this space!

Photographed a company awards. I usually provide a cd of the shots so the company can use the images in magazines and in house publications
I also photographed a twins 4 year old birthday party with studio shots.
From the age of eight I do advertise photo shoot birthday parties on my web site. A fun and exciting party atmosphere where you experience what it feels like to be a model in your favourite outfits and accessories. A must do for your next birthday!
http://www.elainemaysonphotography.co.uk/

I am available for any any age birthday parties taken on location or at the family home. There is an option of reportage photographs, studio photos or a bit of both.
I can design a bespoke photobook to treasure and cd's of the photos and prints, canvases etc. are available to purchase. Wonderful lasting memories with competitive pricing.

Diary 2010 31st January

Hello today I am starting a diary to follow my photography work and journalism in the World of Dance and Weddings/social photography.
I have just had three week holiday in Australia to catch up with my sister and family. The weather was beautiful. 30c blue skies and breeze. We watched the tennis did lots of swimming and shopping and went on hols to Mooloolaba. We stayed in an apartment on the 15th floor which had breathtaking views of the sea and hinterland.
My views on Australia

Wide open spaces
vast arc of sky
long long white beaches
blue turquoise ocean
white foaming crests
crashing and curling as surfers ride the waves
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Rashees and sun umbrellas
sun cream and sunnies
buckets and spades
sandcastles and boards
boutiques full of colour
strapless,short, long frilly,cocktail, beach dresses galore
shorts and bikinis, jewellery and hats
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Fine white sand that crunches underfoot
sand pools to wallow in the warm warm air
crystal clear sea water for snorkelling
A kaleidoscope of fishes and turtles
sharks, manta rays and playful dolphins.
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Tropical rain forests humming with life
Colourful parrots and white cockatoos
Kookaburos and rainbow Lorikeets
Adventure on land and in small flying planes
sand islands, turtle nests and the barrier reef
Palm trees and swimming pools and blue butterflies
Dragon flies and BBQ's and mosquito flies
Juicy ripe mangoes that drip from your chin.
Lychees smooth and white that glisten in the light
sweet divine as the fruit bursts in your mouth
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Sitting outside on the terrace with
warmth on your skin and a tea in your hand
The pool below and the tennis to hand
Orange sunsets that fill the sky with a glory of colour then
then they are gone.
The black silky sky and a million stars
A wide eyed posum stealing the bird seed
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Romantic restaurants overlooking the water
Shafts of silvery moonlight on the black inky ocean
Lynne, Angelica Isabella and Pete
All their family and friends that I meet.
I step on an airoplane and all that is gone
A million miles to the warmth and the sun
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