Get to know JMBT alum Mickey West!
Michela “Mickey” West recently got her MA in photography in London, and is now back in Boston working as a dance photographer.
At JMBT, I really enjoyed the friends I made. They were a huge reason I loved going to classes. I still keep in touch with quite a few of them. I remember going out for ice cream sometimes after classes in the summer or just stretching before barre with them and catching up on life.
What is life like now that you have graduated from JMBT?
I recently spent three years in London getting my MA in photography and then working while traveling the world. Since then, I have been back in Boston from the spring. I have been freelancing around Boston, rediscovering its wonders and working at a gallery in SOWA.
Even though you are not a professional dancer, do you think that your ballet/dance training has helped prepare you for your professional career?
My dance background has helped me immensely as it has given me a good instinct for when to capture motion. It has also given me a great ability for posing and directing dancers so they don’t look awkward or mistakenly not have pointed feet. I think having grown up a dancer, I have a bit of insight into a dancer’s mind, so it helps me interact with them in order to create better content. Plus, I know ballet terms!!
Do you have any advice you would give to students who want to pursue a career as a photographer?
To any who are interested in a professional photographer career, I’d just say practice. It’s the best way to learn, build a network, and create a portfolio. And if you’re looking to go into dance photography, dancers barely say no to photos if you need some practice in that area.
The arts are incredibly important and I would not be where I was without the immense support of the Boston dance community. I am eternally grateful to them. But now, arts nationwide need support more than ever. So much funding was just rescinded for programs and events where the money was already allocated. I will not let this pass by and will fight to protect the arts however I can.
Photo credit to the amazing Nicole Volpe.
Check out Mickey’s portfolio and website here.
