Conversations with Claire Fabre

Today we’d like to introduce you to Claire Fabre.

Hi Claire, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I started dancing competitively in the Bay Area when I was 14 years old. When I was 16 years old, I also took a photography class at my high school and started taking photos of my dance friends. That’s when my dance photography business was born. As more and more dancers from my studio wanted photos taken, I started an Instagram account for my photography. This Instagram account allowed other dancers from different studios and areas to see my work and inquire about shooting together. Ever since then, I have been growing my business and social media.

Now, I travel to different states once every month to shoot with dancers in different areas. I moved down to Southern California to be able to work with more dancers in the industry. I currently work with all types of dancers, from ballet dancers to jazz and hip hop dancers. I also work with all ages, from tiny tots to adults. My own background in dance allows me to give technique corrections to the dancers I work with. Recently, I have started creating online courses to help dancers grow their own social media accounts. My goal is to help them be seen professionally online by industry leaders so they can be cast for jobs. This process includes having high-quality dance photos and videos, which I can help provide.

In everything I do, I want to help dancers feel confident and capable. Providing them a safe space to create in front of the camera is my top priority, and I want dancers to feel proud of the art that we create together.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Running my dance photography business has not always been a walk in the park. When I graduated high school, I thought I wanted to move away to a different state to get a “fun” college experience. I attended a University in Hawaii, thinking I’d be able to continue taking photos of dancers there. What I realized is that it was a lot harder to do my job in Hawaii. The demand for dance photos was just not the same, and the dance industry is not very big there. After a very difficult first semester, I realized I wasn’t happy because I was no longer doing what I love. “Do what you love” became my favorite motto as I realized that for me, that was the key to being happy. Not moving across the country for something that looked like it would be amazing. I was also losing a lot of money because I had to take out student loans to pay for the expensive out-of-state tuition. I ended up moving back to California after my first semester in Hawaii to continue my education at a local community college. As soon as I moved back, I started building my business even bigger than before because I had a newfound passion and assurance that I was doing what I was meant and wanted to do. Soon after moving back to Cali I was able to pay back all of my student loans from my semester in Hawaii (Which was a lot!) from the money I was making in my photography business. Ever since then, I have been growing and living my wildest dream.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I specialize in dance photography, and I work with dancers of all ages and levels. Because I was a dancer growing up, I have experience in the terminology and technique. This allows me to be able to help the dancers I shoot with to create unique and technically correct images that showcase their ability and talent. I am known for my unique and artistic approach to capturing movement. In addition to capturing poses of dancers, I like to have the dancers improvise and “just dance” in front of my camera. This creates shots that include emotion and real movement. I am most proud of the fact that most dancers leave my shoots feeling happy and confident. I like to show them some of the photos as I take them, so they can see that they really can create beautiful art.

What was your favorite childhood memory?
My favorite childhood memory is when I got my first iPod touch at 12 years old because that is when I first realized that I liked taking photos and editing them. Soon after that, I was taking photos with the family camera and editing them on my iPod.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.clairefabrephoto.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clairefabrephoto/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/clairefabrephoto
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChwpiC1FOuxqrrd6YDtqKKA/featured