PHONE: 916-548-9230
Brian Balloon, Rowlett, TX
The 2024-2025 Ambassador Application is now Closed.
About BEING A BRIAN BALLOON PHOTOGRAPHY AMBASSADOR
GET PROFESSIONAL PHOTOS AND ONLINE PROMOTION
perform dance poses and choreography ON-Camera
BUILD FRIENDSHIPS WITH OTHER DANCERS
GET OPPORTUNITIES FOR creative MODELING shoots throughout the year
GET Opportunities to collaborate with other brands
If this sounds like what you'd love, this could be for you!
Ambassadors are the heart of Brian Balloon Photography (BBP). They love the services provided and actively promote BBP throughout the year to their colleagues, family and friends. We are now in our 4th year of providing this opportunity. By collaborating with BBP, you get to showcase your talent and skills as you perform and improve throughout the year, build your portfolio with fun, beautiful, creative, professional photos and video and build relationships! BBP offers the most diverse opportunities of any dance ambassador program in Dallas, giving you the means to express yourself through photo, video, and a podcast, with referral bonuses and paid brand opportunities for loyal and high performing Ambassadors, as well as quality instructor collaborations. We have served dancers from several pre-pro and professional dance companies across DFW! Check out the frequently asked questions below to learn more, then if this is right for you, fill out the application!
FAQ
What is the vision of BBP?
The vision of Brian Balloon Photography is to produce amazing photos and video for you that make you want to come back again and again.
For dance photography specifically, it is to create an environment that empowers you to be safe to express your physicality and creativity in dance at your best technique and artistry and to create photos that we both feel are beautiful, expressive and captivating.
What is required of a BBP Ambassador?
Ambassadors are chosen through a very selective process. If you are a dance ambassador, it's expected that you:
- Align with the vision of Brian Balloon Photography
- Are an active dancer of a dance company and are in good standing with them,
- Extend your time, skills and talent to allow us to promote you through photos and video and be available as a dance model for photoshoots throughout the year,
- Promote BBP and show support for the other dancers in the group, because when we promote each other, we all reinforce each other's value to our team and create a supportive environment, and
- Share your love of BBP by encouraging others to book shoots with BBP.
Is there an age range? Is there a type of dancer you're looking for?
Dancers ages 10 and higher, including adults, are encouraged to apply! For young dancers under 10, some exceptions may be made for exceptional maturity and skill level. BBP is searching for ballet, lyrical, contemporary, modern, jazz, aerial, street, tap, ballroom, acro and even flamenco dancers. Almost any style of dance. Also, if there is another type of dance you're great at, let me know for consideration!
Note: If you are under 18, you must have written parent/guardian permission to be an Ambassador.
Who is best suited to be an Ambassador?
This ambassador program will benefit dancers the most who fit one or more of these needs:
- You want professional and creative modeling photos and video to display in your personal or business dance portfolio
- You want consistently updated dance-related images/video for your social media
- You want to be part of a supportive team of pre-pro and pro dancers
- You see yourself utilizing our diverse offerings like a $50 dancewear reimbursement, podcast, 6 or more shoots a year, and referral perks including paid shoots
- You are a dancewear ambassador and need consistent photo/video shoots for that brand
- You have effective communication and can make yourself available for photo/video shoots throughout the year
- You have great dance skills, take initiative, have creative ideas for shoots and are a team player
- You are working toward a dance goal and want professional photos throughout the year to demonstrate your strengths and show your progress
- You are a dance teacher who would like to record instructional material for students
- You want to get together for shoots with other dancers from different studios or companies
- You take direction well and are looking for constant improvement
- You can actively share and engage with Ambassador posts and promote BBP
- You enjoy BBP photos and video and want to recommend others to book with BBP.
Who MAY NOT BE BEST SUITED TO BE A BBP AMBASSADOR?
Being a BBP Ambassador may not be best for dancers who:
- Want photoshoots with BBP, but don't want the responsibility of helping promote BBP throughout the year
- Don't log into social media at least once a day or do not want a growing social media presence
- Don't work well with other dancers or aren't good at applying advice
- Are generally not in good standing with their fellow dancers and dance studio
- Are too far away to do photoshoots (unless through shutter app)
- Would not attract a good audience of potential customers through their posts online
- Are just too busy to devote some time to photoshoots and promotion throughout the year.
In these cases, booking individual packages with me would be best.
What is taken into consideration when selecting ambassadors?
Your dance history, your dance skill level (including artistic emotional expression and technique), your current involvement as a dancer or teacher at a dance studio or company, your ability to work well with the dancers already in the Ambassadorship, your social media account, including your perceived reputation, character and social media influence as a dancer, your application and interests, your overall prompt and effective communication with BBP, including engagement with BBP posts on social media, your aspirations, dedication and initiative, available slots for ambassadors, your availability for shoots, our group need for specific dancers at the time (i.e. such as older dancers or on-pointe dancers) and other closely-related factors, will be used in the evaluation process.
How Much Time Is Required per month of an ambassador?
Photo and video shoots: generally 5 hours a month, including prep and travel. Most shoots are 1-2 hours and I try to make them close to whoever is attending. We all help choose the location for each shoot.
Chat participation, posting and engaging on social media: Perhaps 2-3 hours a month (2-5 min a day)
Finding customers: Ongoing, as you go about your own life and see opportunities throughout the year
How long is the Ambassador term?
An Ambassador term in 2024-25 is for one year. Ambassadors are welcome to reapply for another term at the end of their term.
What types of shoots could I do as an Ambassador?
A large variety, which may include: shoots with various in-studio lighting and props, rain shoots, outdoor shoots, brand shoots, fashion shoots, holiday-themed shoots, creative shoots for BBP, dance tutorials, account takeovers, beach shoots, AI-themed shoots, etc..
Can I shoot with other photographers too, even though I'm an ambassador for BBP?
Over the years, I've really wrestled with this question, because on one hand, every photographer appreciates having loyal customers. I certainly do, especially in this saturated market of dance photographers and Ambassador programs around the country.
But, in the best interest of the dancer, it's good to work with different photographers and their different personalities and artistic ideas, because that's the way the industry is - it's filled with dance instructors, choreographers and directors with different personalities and teaching methods that dancers have to get used to, some more ideal than others. Of course, we all have our favorites, and I advocate, if you have a choice, to do photography with someone who is typically available when you need them, who you gel with and who can bring out the best of your abilities on-camera.
Ideally, it should be a synergy, and that photographer should elevate you as a dancer. That requires communication of your strengths to your photographer.
Hopefully that photographer is me, but sometimes that may not be me. Occasionally, I may be out of town or ill or otherwise unable to shoot. You know who you would work best with in order to achieve the results you want in a given shoot. I am always open to opportunities for improvement, including collaborations. At minimum, you should definitely feel your photographer values you and wants the best for your wellness and your career.
And that's my hope for every dancer who works with me: that you enjoy working with me and grow stronger in your craft and creativity when working with me. A photographer should help you look the way you want to look in your photos (and you should know what your goals are).
I encourage you to work with whomever you please. Of course, if you choose me for an idea, or a season, or more, I'll be delighted to work with you, as I strive to be your photographer of choice. The most important thing to me, for you as an Ambassador, is that you value working with me and that you would jump at the opportunity to recommend potential customers to me.
The Ambassador program is meant for those dancers who want to seize this great opportunity and will consistently help promote me throughout the year.
Do I need to post BBP content?
Yes, Ambassadors follow Brian Balloon Photography on social media, add BBP Ambassador to their IG bio and post final media from their shoots, without editing them or adding filters, within a week of receipt, on your Instagram (and other social media if applicable). You must also be okay to share promotional posts and stories from BBP to your IG account when requested.
What is the cost of the ambassador program?
For the 2024-25 year, the cost to be an Ambassador has been lowered to $450 per person plus tax for professional dancers (18 and older and part of a professional dance company), and remains at $600 per person plus tax for pre-pro dancers. This can be split into monthly payments if needed. This is all-inclusive. Shoots do not cost extra, unless you need more than your allotted number of shoots, and those can even be earned through successful referrals. For multiple-year, high-performing Ambassadors, the incentives make it even more affordable. This cost helps cover your studio and on-location photography and videography sessions, group events, collaborations with third parties, camera equipment labor and maintenance, business expenses, investment in our brand to create more opportunities like this, and time and expertise involved in photo editing and marketing of you on social media throughout your year as an Ambassador.
What does my Ambassador cost cover?
Your Ambassador cost gives you a minimum of:
- Two shared photo shoots with other Ambassadors
- One individual photoshoot (i.e. to focus on professional photos)
- Teacher and brand collaborations
- A Bring-a-friend shoot
- Podcast guest opportunity
- Yearly group event
- Team apparel
- Magazine photo submissions
- $50 dancewear reimbursement
- The opportunity to earn paid ahoots and profit-sharing from sales of your media
- Photo/video editing and marketing throughout the year.
These shoots may be outdoor, on-location or in a photography studio, depending on creative need. You may also be invited to do other creative photoshoots throughout the year without additional cost, which may include paid opportunities, and there is the potential for profit sharing from commercial sales. The combination of this is a huge discount off normal photoshoot prices and a great investment in your portfolio as a dancer! You get to keep the media produced of you, and typically that includes all viable images and video from our shoots!
The exchange is that you continue to share what you love about BBP with your family and friends and help BBP find new customers!
How can I get paid for shoots?
High-performing Ambassadors can become eligible for "All-Star" status. This status is earned yearly. It is your gateway to paid shoot opportunities. You must be a BBP Ambassador for at least one year, be in good standing, and have successfully referred customers that have booked shoots with BBP totaling a certain amount of revenue. There are also other ways to earn a commission as an Ambassador.
Will I be expected to refer others to BBP?
Yes. I am only able to maintain this low pricing for Ambassadors because they help me find and book new customers. They invite other skilled dancers to book photo sessions or to apply to become Ambassadors! There are further discounts for you if you refer someone who completes a session as well as opportunities, if you become an All-Star Ambassador, to be paid for some photoshoots! All-Star Ambassadors also get a break on their Ambassador cost for their hard work!
Do I Need to Be Flexible Like in a lot of your dance pictures?
Not necessarily. Dancers are known for many aspects, including dedication, technique, physique, lines, and expressiveness, in addition to flexibility. While flexibility is helpful and important, dancers can be chosen because they excel in many of the other aspects important to dance, like technique and expression.
When CAN I apply to become an ambassador?
I generally will open the Ambassador application twice a year to the public. First in September/October, then mid-year in March/April. However, new Ambassadors may be allowed to join anytime throughout the year if referred by an Ambassador or dance teacher for consideration, depending on available slots.
The current Ambassador application is open from Sept 16th-Oct 3rd.
Can I do a test shoot with you Before signing up?
Yes. That can also be arranged. During the timeframe the application signup is open, if you are selected as a possible Ambassador and have never done a photoshoot with me before (how do you know if we'd work together well if you've never worked with me), you can do a short outdoor photoshoot with me at a location of our choosing for $50 + tax and you will receive up to 5 total web-sized photos, per person (regardless of how many are taken). If you are accepted as an Ambassador and decide to join, that will be applied toward your Ambassador fee. However, if either of us don't feel we're a good fit, you can still keep the media from the shoot. Note: This is not in place of a normal shoot, and is only available to further assess whether we'd be a good fit. To be considered, you must fill out the Ambassador application and must be chosen to do the shoot.
WHAT IF I PAY AND THEN DECIDE THIS ISN'T FOR ME
That's okay! Just let me know within a week after the Ambassador Agreement is signed, and you will be removed from the team and receive a full refund. After the first week, however, as a general rule, no refunds will be given, particularly if your main Ambassador photoshoots have begun.
I'm ready! What's the next step?
So you're ready? Awesome! The next step is to fill out the Ambassador application below. If accepted, applicants will be notified by early October and will then receive paperwork to review and sign before officially joining the BBP Ambassador team!
2024-2025 BBP Ambassador Application
QUESTIONS?
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME AT 916-548-9230 OR EMAIL BBALLOONPHOTOGRAPHY@GMAIL.COM.
PHONE: 916-548-9230
Brian Balloon, Rowlett, TX