Spotlight: An interview with Simon Ho
A deep dive into the talented photographer
When it comes to exceptional photography, few artists bring the same level of skill, passion, and creativity as Simon Ho. Over the past few years, we’ve had the pleasure of working with Simon on several projects, and his work has consistently exceeded our expectations. Whether he’s capturing the raw energy of street dance or the elegance of a stage performance, Simon’s photography is nothing short of flawless.
Getting to Know Simon and His Craft
How did you first get into dance photography, and what inspired you to focus on this art form?
When I first started in my professional photography journey I had focused on the family market but became disillusioned working with babies and 2year olds… Sometimes you have to fail at something before you find your right path. I went through a phase of experimenting and the first dancer I worked with was one of En Pointe’s students who took part in a powder shoot, the results of which were far more satisfying than I ever got from working in the family market.
What makes dance photography unique compared to other types of photography?
If the beauty standards you value are elegance, beautiful lines, dexterity, class. I can’t think of a better genre for that. Also it’s a type of beauty that is intended to look effortless but of course it’s anything but, it’s all earned by hard work from both parties. A girl might have to execute a pose where her lower body is using all her strength, while her toes are feeling like they’re about to explode I’m telling her to keep her upper body soft, her expression serene and preferably flick her hair so it catches a little light. There’s a lot of technicalities which the photographer has to be aware of, you have to know concepts like turnout, you have to know how to tell a dancer to control a certain body part if it’s throwing something else off, you have to position them so the light is sculpting them in a flattering way. Basically, everything needs to be as close to perfection as possible.
Do you have a favorite type of dance or moment to capture during a shoot?
Genre wise, ballet or lyrical lends itself best to my style, I wouldn’t say favourite but certainly every shoot involves some combination of a retire & 4th position.
Behind the Lens
What challenges do you face when photographing dance, and how do you overcome them?
As a man who had no background in performing arts, I had no right to know what terms like 4th position, fondu, pile etc meant, there was a huge knowledge gap that had to be overcome with time, perseverance & experience.
Can you share a memorable experience or standout moment from one of your dance shoots?
I remember in one of my first couple of location shoots, we were in a wonderful location waiting for the sunset but it was quite exposed to the wind. I kept checking on the girl and she kept insisting she was fine, with hindsight she really wasn’t. It stunned me that a girl would rather risk freezing than risk (in her mind) disappointing me. It really gave me respect for how dedicated dancers are to a fault - stories like that later gave me the inspiration to create the ‘Broken Dancer'.
Personal and Professional Growth
How has your work as a dance photographer evolved since you started?
As I’ve understood the industry better I’ve also branched out into related genres such as show coverage & headshots for the performers seeking work or college applications.
What have you learned about the dance world through your photography?
That it’s a very competitive industry, often compared to being the girl’s equivalent of being a footballer. Most of the girls even those who start off ballet centric seem to inevitably end up down the MT route. In recent years I’ve been involved with a organisation that provides a bridge between graduates and the ballet companies in the form of an annual competition, one of the 2024 winners ended up with a contract at Birmingham Royal Ballet. The dance world is a small one, I’d love to see that day one of my past clients emerges all grown up as one of the winners.
Have you ever had a “wow” moment where a shot exceeded your expectations? What was it?
Many but what still stands out over time… it’s the passion projects which I rarely get to do. A personal favourite has always been ’The hunt for the white swan’ for it’s production value, difficulty of the editing (this was pre-AI days) and it’s story because it’s nice to shoot with a concept. In this particular case I re-imagined Odile as Rothbart’s bird of prey-like henchwoman hunting down Odette.
How do you stay inspired and creative in such a dynamic field?
I think creative people don’t have problems with ideas, there’s always something floating in our heads. It’s just the realities of running a business that means we’re pre-occupied with something else.
Advice and Reflections
What advice would you give to dancers on how to prepare for a photoshoot?
Moodboards, have an idea of the poses you want along with the outfit/hairstyle best paired for it. Establish what you can and can’t do so we’re working on your strengths.
What about advice for aspiring photographers looking to specialise in dance?
Don’t forget the facial expressions
Do you think your work has influenced how people perceive the beauty of dance?
Dancers are an idealised archetype, I’ve not changed that I simply ratchet a girl closer to that ideal.
Fun and Future Plans
If you could create your dream photoshoot with unlimited resources, dancers, and locations, what would it look like?
I can give you a little taste from a past project, it would be a re-interpretation of Swan Lake drawing from my journey in the dance world.
Before I lose you, let’s quickly swap to Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake. The character Prince Siegfried is often interpreted as a metaphor for Bourne's battle with his homosexuality (a character struggling with the weight of state duties & royal protocol).
I as a dance photographer who was both an outsider and a man operating in what is (functionally) a female space, drew from Rothbart so this is my early story:
“First, they treat you like a scary villain…
but you have a gift to offer…
you can turn girls into swan princesses…
and when they realise they start fighting for your favour…
so they can keep up and outdo each other”
Given unlimited resources I would expand on this story possibly mixing in a little Greek mythology with concepts like Sirens (maybe even Medusa) that resonate with my experiences of being a man in a female world.
What exciting projects or shoots do you have lined up for this year?
No solid plans but I would like to work with more men
If you weren’t a photographer, what would you be doing instead?
I’m someone who has always leaned towards work with a creative outlet. I could see myself as a designer or filmmaker, but had I grown up with more exposure to theatre I can imagine myself as a gaffer or lighting technician.
Why highly recommend Simon
If you’re searching for a photographer who can deliver breathtaking results, we wholeheartedly recommend Simon Ho. He’s professional, approachable, and incredibly talented. Whether you need photos for a street dance project, a stage performance, or something entirely different, Simon will work with you to ensure the result is nothing short of perfect.
Get in Touch
To book Simon Ho for your next photography project, you can reach out to him through his website at HOtography or connect with him on Instagram at @hotographyuk. Trust us—you won’t be disappointed.
Take your street/dance photography to the next level with Simon Ho, and let his lens tell your story in a way that’s uniquely yours.
