Patrick Dunn : Photography

09/08/2026

Are you a dancer in the Dallas area - or maybe you know a dancer who would love to create some amazing Dance Portraits? I’d love to connect! Send me a message and let’s talk about setting up a session.

09/08/2026

After I posted some of my favorite portrait images on my personal page, I got several requests to do the same with some of my favorite Dance Portrait images. So I thought, why not?

And I figured I’d start with a photo of my very first Studio Dance Rep, Anna.

This image was taken during a shoot in 2020. Anna and I had already been working together for about four years, and this was our last shoot together before she headed off to New York for her next chapter. I learned so much through working with Anna, and I honestly couldn't have asked for a better dancer to help me get started in Dance Portraiture. Such an amazing artist that has gone on to do such great things. And she is only getting started.

For this particular session, we were in the Arts District in downtown Dallas. We had been moving around and working with several different backdrops when I noticed this really clean, white wall. I've gone back to that wall several times since because it creates such a simple setting. There’s really nothing competing for your attention. The dancer is the entire picture.

But what I remember most about this part of the shoot isn't actually the wall or even the final image. It's something Anna taught me about persistence.

She had a very specific vision in her head of what she wanted this shot to look like. And this is one of those things that, unless you've actually done something like this, you probably don't realize what goes into getting a single image.

This shot took somewhere around 20–25 attempts.

And every single one of those attempts meant Anna going full out.

When I say dancers are athletes, this is a big part of what I mean. The conditioning it takes to repeatedly throw yourself into a jump, land, reset, and then do it again — while making tiny adjustments each time to get closer to the image in your head — is pretty amazing to watch.

There are so many little things happening in the process. Technique. Hands. Feet. Hair. Body position. Your relationship to the camera. Composition. Timing. And probably a hundred other things that all have to come together in a split second for the image to work.

On this day, Anna gave me a front-row seat to what drives dancers to keep working until they get a move, a leap, or a performance exactly where they want it.

Drive. Dedication. Persistence.

And maybe that's one of the things I love most about Dance Portraiture. I'm not just photographing a dancer doing something beautiful. I'm getting to see the work, determination and athleticism that goes into making that moment look effortless.

Anna taught me a lot over those four years. And this image is one of the reasons I still think about those lessons today.

08/31/2026

Some pretty exciting news to share!

I’m thrilled to have seven of my Dance Portrait photographs selected for publication in Issue 67 of DanceSzn Magazine!

I’m incredibly grateful to each of these dancers for trusting me with their portraits and for bringing their own personality, movement, and artistry into the sessions. Every time I get to work with a dancer, I’m reminded of just how lucky I am to do what I do.

Having these images recognized and selected for publication is a huge honor, and I’m genuinely excited to see them in the pages of DanceSzn.

A big thank you to DanceSzn Magazine for the opportunity and, most of all, thank you to all the amazing dancers I collaborate with for letting me create with you.

Scroll to see the images that were selected!

Issue 67 — coming soon.

08/24/2026

If you are a dancer or know of a dancer that is interested in booking a Dance Portrait session with me in the Dallas area - reach out to me. I would love the opportunity to talk to you about how we might collaborate.

08/24/2026

08/24/2026

More senior portrait images from my recent session in Boerne with Studio Dance Rep, Allyssa.

Trying to beat this Texas heat, we picked a location with some nice shaded areas to help keep us a little cooler. And while I may have looked like a wrung-out dish rag by the time we wrapped up, Allyssa somehow managed to look amazing the entire time.

As so many students head into their final year of high school, I want to wish them all the best as they finish one chapter and start stepping into the next. It’s an exciting time filled with new opportunities, challenges, and memories waiting to be made.

Enjoy the journey!

08/17/2026

My Dallas photoshoot dates are set for the last quarter of 2026!

If you’re a dancer—or know a dancer—who might be interested in a Dance Portrait session, I’d love to connect and chat about a possible collaboration.

Feel free to reach out!

08/06/2026

More great shots from Addison's recent photoshoot celebrating her achievement of being named Colonel for the Tivy High School Golden Girls this upcoming school year!

This wasn't something that happened overnight. It took years of hard work, countless hours of practice, and so much dedication to build the talent, confidence, and character needed to step into this leadership role.

One of the biggest reasons she's reached this moment is the incredible support system she's had every step of the way. Her family has been there through it all, cheering her on from day one.

Traci and I can't wait to be sitting right there next to her family this football season, watching Addison and the rest of the Golden Girls take the field. We know it's going to be an amazing year!