A Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader
I bought some new camera equipment and I wanted to test it out in a “game situation” before I committed to using it in a “must deliver” event. So I emailed Lynae de Leon, the Director of the Anaheim Bolts Dance Team, and asked her if I could come down and test out my new gear. She graciously obliged and I was excited at the chance to shoot one of my favorite squads. Photographing the Anaheim Bolts Dance Team would be a challenge because the convention center where they perform is very dark and the lighting comes from a very odd angle. This would be a dry run for when I formally visit in February.
My results were mixed and that was not to be unexpected, when trying out new gear. I needed to get consistent results…consistently good or consistently bad…to be able to set a baseline from which I could make some adjustments and fine tune my technique. And I will do so, but for now I wanted to share a couple shots that went well.
My thanks to Lynae and the Anaheim Bolts organization for allowing me the opportunity to test my gear in a game setting. If you’ve never been to a PASL game, you should check it out because it is literally fast break indoor soccer and the action is fast and furious. And the Anaheim Bolts Dance Team is absolutely worth the price of admission.
Now, I have to go back and analyze those “consistently bad” photos and see what I did wrong. In the mean time, let these “good” photos entice you to stay tuned for my official visit to the Anaheim Bolts in February.
Saturday, January 26th
9:30am
Location:
San Manuel Stadium
280 South E Street
San Bernardino, CA 92401
Phone: 909-888-9922
Fax: 909-888-5251
Website: www.66ers.com
Qualifications for Auditions
- All candidates must be at least 18 years old by January 26, 2012.
- All candidates must have a High School diploma or GED, or in the process of receiving one within the following year.
- All candidates must understand the time obligation the Inland Empire 66ers Dance Team will include. Mandatory attendance is necessary at practices, appearances, games, community events, and any other mandatory appearances made by the management of the Inland Empire 66ers Dance Team. The team may have late night and/or early morning practices and games that are mandatory. YOU MUST HAVE A FLEXIBLE SCHEDULE.
- The Inland Empire 66ers Dance Team is a ONE YEAR obligation. Do not audition if you are unable to commit to the entire year. Team members will have to sign a contract stating that they understand being a member of the dance team is a year long obligation.
- Each candidate must have reliable transportation.
- All candidates must possess excellent speaking skills and personality.
- All candidates must be available for all phases of the audition.
- All candidates must provide a 4×6 or larger head shot and bikini shot. Pictures do not have to be professional. All pictures are non-returnable and must reflect what you currently look like or what you will look like during the time of auditions.
Audition Information
- Auditions will be closed to the public.
- Mandatory Audition Attire:
- Dance or athletic half-top (midriff must be showing)
- Hot pants, dance shorts (NO full length pants or capris)
- Dance sneakers, tennis shoes, jazz shoes with non-marking soles
- Flesh tone tights
- Performance ready hair and make-up is a must. ALL hair should be down.
Anyone not wearing the above stated mandatory audition attire will not be allowed to audition.
- The auditions will last around 3-5 hours.
- There will be four cuts during audition ( one after across the floor, two while performing the dance that is taught to the candidates, and one after interviews).
- Registration is at 9:30 am. We will not accept anyone arriving after 10:00am.
A hopeful at 2011 Sacramento Kings Dance Team Auditions
A hopeful at 2012 Arizona Cardinals Cheerleaders Auditions
Congratulations to Captain Marissa on being selected this season’s PRO Bowl representative.
Marissa is truly an inspiration, having tried out for several years (nine, I think) before making the team. She began a rookie, became a veteran and then a Line Captain and now, she’s their PRO Bowl representative.
Congratulations Marissa, job well done!
Between Christmas and New Year’s we are showcasing the year’s favorite photos from our contributors.
Laker Girl Jessica, taken February 5, 2012.
So James asked us to select our favorite photo from 2012 and to talk a little bit about the image. This year, I have been blessed to attend many great events: the Arizona Cardinals Cheerleader auditions, the St. Louis Rams auditions, the 2012 PRO Convention, the Anaheim Bolts Dance Team auditions and a season full of Charger games featuring the lovely Charger Girls. And though there were many photos that I considered to be memorable, this one stands out for a several reasons. First, the girl is absolutely gorgeous, one of the most photogenic cheerleaders that I have ever photographed. Second, its a photo of a member of an iconic squad, the Laker Girls. Third, I love the uniform she is wearing. The colors are eye catching and the style is sexy and classy. And finally, I love the exposure…the rich saturated colors and the golden hue imparted by the reflection off of the court.
This image, to me, is one of my favorite photos of 2012. Of course, in January, I publish my top 10 photos of 2012 on my personal website, thehottestdanceteam.wordpress.com. So stay turned for that.
Christmas time is here again. The air is cool and crisp. Children eagerly await the arrival of Santa Claus. And for NFL fans, the end of the season is near. For some teams, the playoffs await…the reward for a year of hard work and dedication. For others…it’s just the end of the season. And for the Chargers, Santa came early and left them a lump of coal in their stockings. Apparently he checked his list twice and discovered the Chargers were neither naughty or nice…they were just plain bad. How bad, you ask? They were thrashed by the visiting Carolina Panthers, 31 – 7. And to rub salt in the wounds, the Panthers ran ex-Charger Mike Tolbert right at his former team and he responded by scoring two touchdowns.
So with the loss, the Chargers fall to 5 – 9 on the season. Any hopes of the playoffs were long gone and it seemed like the team has given up on coach Norv Turner and his staff. And as if to emphasize this point, the Chargers gained a paltry 164 total net yards on the day. To quote Charles Barkley, “Bad team, man. Bad *expletive* team, man.” There is no other way to say it.
Well, the highlight of the day was the return of the Charger Girls in their Blue Velvet Christmas uniforms!
So you want to know what my favorite stocking stuffer is? Legs! BAM! Okay it’s a stupid quip, but…hey…I like dumb quips. Actually I wanted try this material out on the Chargers Girls in the Bud Light Power Party last Sunday, but I forgot…so I get to torture you readers instead. It’s the price for looking at these photos.
But on a serious note, I really do like these Blue Velvet uniforms that the Charger Girls wear every year. They’re sexy and flattering to the feminine form, but they are a tad short in the back…but I’m not complaining mind you because the Charger Girls were the highlight of the day. Really.
But the bad thing about the Chargers only scoring once (and late in the fourth quarter at that) is that the Charger Girls really didn’t dance all that much. And that was a disappointment. I mean they have a couple of sideline routines for time outs, but some of my best shots come when the girls are performing after a score…and, unfortunately, the Chargers only scored that one time.
I think the Panthers fumbled on purpose and let them score just to keep the Chargers engaged in the game. Because as god only knows, many of us in the stands were already disengaged. By the time the Chargers finally scored, the stadium must have be a quarter full…by the time the game ended and I got to my car, I drove straight out of the stadium, the parking lot being bereft of cars. That’s how bad it was.
Oh well…let’s get on to the good stuff…THE CHARGER GIRLS! So we begin with the Captains: Kara, Lauren O., Natalie, and Marissa.
This week’s Charger Girl of the Day has always been a fan favorite since her first day in the uniform. She’s a fiery red head who happens to be a three year veteran Charger Girl…introducing Anjelica.
Toccara of the Washington Redskins Cheerleaders
From 2006 – A hopeful at the Las Vegas Gladiators Goddesses Auditions
