2021/22 Photography Award: STEP TOGETHER
Dancing is good for the mind. Moving to rhythm produces feel-good hormones that counter stress and anxiety. To this end, Youmanity launches of their 12th annual Photography Award entitled 'Step Together'.
STEP TOGETHER Photography Award aims to hep raise awareness of the benefits of dancing for mental health and well-being. Research conducted by Dance Psychologist Dr Peter Lovatt reveals how happy hormones - including dopamine and serotonin - produced during dancing stay, in the body up to a week from the last dance.
“Just ten minutes of dancing can provide a good workout for the body and brain! Raising the heartbeat causes the release of feel-good chemicals, which reduce stress. When we dance our senses surrender to music as we synchronise our inner rhythm with that of the music. The mind takes a break from repetitive patterns of thinking – and that’s how dancing can reduce stress levels,” says Dr Lovatt - author of The Dance Cure.
Whether one likes dancing or not, rhythm is our lifeline! The rhythm of a heartbeat, the rhythm of breathing and the rhythm of walking is present in all of us. What's more, dancing bonds people together, encouraging much needed social harmony while stimulating the production of happy hormones in the brain.
In an effort to promote mental health, STEP TOGETHER invites participants to submit images that capture the spirit of dancing - any style!
Your photographic entry
STEP TOGETHER invites you to submit a photograph that captures the happiness when dancing, moving your body to music. Send us a photo of yourself, your flatmate(s) - your mum and dad, neighbours - dancing alone or in a group. Dancing in the rain, on stage or in the street. Square dancing, straight dancing, gay dancing. All dancing. If you need help to get moving, download Dr Lovatt’s Move Assure dance app!
A panel of judges will select the photographs that best interpret the movement and mood of the dancer(s). The work of twenty finalists will be showcased in an exhibition in London - location TBC - with the announcement of the winner to coincide with World Mental Health Day, 10th October. The winning photograph will be awarded £500 cash prize. The closing date for entries is 05/08/2022
The photographic entries will be selected by the following judges:
Michael Pritchard, Director of Programmes, The Royal Photographic Society
Anne Williams - Documentary Photography Historian
Fabienne Bowden - Dance Therapist
Maria Falconer FRPS - Dance Photographer
Niall McDiarmid - Urban Photographer
Simon Samaki - Director, Speaker Box Street Party
To upload your photographic entry is free - click HERE
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