Check Out Cheryl Mann’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Cheryl Mann.

Hi Cheryl, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I have had over 30 years of professional dance experience from Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida to Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. I love that my experience in the performing arts allows me the freedom to capture the artistry that lies within the people that I photograph.

Now being on the ‘Other Side’ of the dance world, I feel it is my turn to give back to the next generation some of the incredible experiences that I was given as in my career. I can think of nothing else that I would rather do.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There have always been challenges along my journey, but in those moments we can take chances, and I feel like I grew the most when I came out of it all. Moving to LA has been my greatest challenge. After living in Chicago for 20 years, I had built up a large network in the dance world and the photography community. I also have two amazing children, so finding the balance between my professional career and my family life is always a struggle.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I had a long, incredible career as a professional dancer. I got to see the world and travel with the best of people. When I retired from the stage, I entered life on “the other side”. I had been dabbling in photography for the last eight years of my dancing career, and after 10.5 years with Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, I decided to focus on transitioning into a photographer. For seven years, I did just that. I began shooting dance companies that were budding and new to the scene (as I was as a photographer) and taking headshots for friends and friends of friends. Before I knew it, I was being referred for corporate headshots, weddings, events, & for anything live on stage. I was immersed in a new life as a photographer. Photography was an outlet for me as a dancer, and after seven years of photographing, I felt that I needed an outlet from shooting, so back to the dance world I went! I felt the need to be back in the studio without a camera in my hand. I wanted to be involved with creative processes with dancers again and give back to the next generation the knowledge that I had gained as a dancer.

I became the Artistic Associate for Visceral Dance Chicago, and I got to bring in the most talented choreographers that I had gotten to work with as a dancer. To rehearse these works with the dancers was so rewarding, and suddenly I felt whole again. The Joffrey Ballet in Chicago had also invited me to be their photographer, and I still shoot their performances today. I am so proud to have gained their trust as a photographer, and I am humbled to photograph their incredible dancers who I can call my friends. Keeping my Chicago connection means the world to me, and they fly me in for every performance. It’s a dream. After moving to LA, I began to work with Ate9 under the direction of Danielle Agami. This gave me an instant community in a world that I loved in a new city. I love putting on a show. Producing every aspect of it from conception to performance. I see things through my lens and I like to capture moments throughout the process. I love what I do!

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
With photography, I always enter a job feeling the risk factor. I rely on the technology of the camera not to fail. I rely on the memory card not to fail, my gear, my hard drives with all of the files from important shoots. Also, the notion that I might not be successful in capturing the moments that they hoped for. In dance, I always felt the utmost confidence that after our rehearsal period, I would be ready and I never experienced stage fright. Now I know what that feels like, and it’s crazy!

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.cherylmannphoto.com
• Instagram: @cherylmannphoto
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cherylmannphoto
• Twitter: @cherylmannphoto

Image Credits:
Cheryl Mann Productions Todd Rosenberg Photography Jonathan Mackoff Selena Moshell