A 4 hour marathon of exceptional dance!
In May, I had the pleasure of photographing a truly special event — the 25th anniversary performance by Zodiac Dance at the Lochgelly Centre. Although this was my first time working with the company, it was clear from the moment I spoke with their founder Stacey that this wasn’t going to be an ordinary evening of dance.
In the weeks leading up to the show, Stacey and I were in regular contact, making sure everything was planned out and that myself and Eilidh (a young photographer who had asked to shadow me for some more experience) knew exactly what to expect. What became clear very early on was that this wasn’t just a standard two-hour dance recital — this was a four-hour celebration of everything the school had built over the past 25 years, featuring performances from both current students and returning alumni.
That meant more preparation on my end: extra batteries, plenty of memory cards, and yes — a few extra snacks! It was a true test of endurance, but what made it more than manageable — even exhilarating — was the sheer variety and high calibre of the performances.
Over the course of the evening, I photographed everything from tap and modern to hip-hop, street, and musical theatre-style numbers, including full 15-minute condensed dance versions of well-known musicals. One of the standout moments for me? The fire eaters — a jaw-dropping act that completely stole the show and created some of the most visually striking images I’ve ever captured.
By the end of the night, I had taken hundreds of high-energy, beautifully lit performance shots, all carefully edited in Lightroom Classic and delivered within a couple of weeks. In total, over 500 images made the final cut — a huge gallery that reflects the scope and spirit of the celebration.
Working with Zodiac Dance was an absolute joy, and Stacey’s leadership and attention to detail made the entire process smooth and collaborative. It’s always exciting to work with a new dance company, especially one with such a passionate community and rich history. I’m already looking forward to coming back for their 26th-year showcase!
At Alastair More Photography, I specialise in dance show photography, stage productions, and live performance documentation across Fife, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and beyond. Whether it’s a major anniversary show or a school’s first recital, I’m here to capture the energy, artistry, and emotion of every performance.
