Photographing and reviewing local businesses... Disco Ducks - Hertford and Watton-at-Stone

I’ve been to all sorts of classes since having my eldest son almost 8 years ago. We started with sing and sign when he was just 6 weeks old (I wouldn’t say he was that into it at the time, but I learnt a lot of Makaton which proved helpful). However, it was only when I was asked to photograph Disco Ducks in Hertford that I realised I’ve never taken any of my children to a dance class.

Given how much we love music and dancing in our house, I surprised myself with this revelation. I wonder if there are less dance classes aimed at, or advertised towards boys? My eldest used to attend gymnastics, but most of the dance classes our friends went to were ballet classes comprised completely of girls wearing baby pink tutu’s.

Little girl lying down wearing pretty yellow dress

Laura runs Disco Ducks, in Watton-at-Stone and Hertford. This is part of a wider franchise described as a toddler and preschool funky dance class.

Laura started teaching belly dancing nine years ago. She said “It was my passion and I wanted to share it with the community. I was working and learning belly dance in London at the time”.

After the birth of her first son she left her job to run her dance school around her family, and after her second son she started running Disco Ducks. “I really love teaching movement and dance to little ones as they are so much fun” she said. Laura runs 3 classes a week which are generally fully booked. It’s a great add on to her dance school and flexible around her own children.

I totally get this, as a photographer I am able to work around my children shooting studio and location sessions during the school day and being there for school drop offs and pick-ups. Of-course I also know there’s a side to running your own business, which often means doing accounts, or planning and editing in my case, way into the early hours.

So, what about the class? Laura welcomes everyone with a big smile which put the kids immediately at ease. We were invited to sit down in a large circle, for a welcome song, but weren’t left sitting for long. Laura is full of vitality and exuberance and her energy is infectious. My son really loved getting up, jumping in the air and sitting again, spinning around and was smiling and giggling throughout this warm-up. Rainbow coloured streamers were handed out and there was lots of swinging, shaking and jiggling all around the room.

There was dancing while walking around the room, simple moves that the toddlers could grasp easily. Then all hands-on deck to put together a multi-coloured balance beam to practice balance and coordination. Then was one of his favourites “Sleeping little bunnies” with bunny ears and more jumping, before singing happy birthday to a birthday girl, saying goodbye, and getting stickers and biscuits – yum!

I did really like the class, although I had expected, being called “disco duck” that there might have been some black out blinds, swirling lights and maybe a glitter ball.

Laura clearly loves her job and the freedom it’s given her. She said “Whilst being self-employed is not always the easiest financially, the investment of time I've been able to make in my son’s early years has been more than worth it”.

Christmas themed classes are running at Hornsmill community centre on Friday 20th December at 9.40am or 10.25am. These classes are suitable for 18 months to 5 years old and costs £6 per child. There will be party dances, bubbles, snow (yes, she has a snow machine), parachute games and a small gift.

If you’d like to book a spot, please call Laura.

If you run a local business and are interested in my Personal Brand Photography or would like to find out more about being featured in my local business blog, please contact me via my online form. I work with all sorts of businesses around Hertfordshire, Essex, Cambridge and London, from small 1 man (or woman) sole-trader local businesses to large firms and franchises who are looking to consolidate their brand and send a consistent message to their clients about who they are and what they represent.

During a full day shoot, I can come in and provide enough images to post daily to social media for 3 months. I capture everything from the detail shots of products and premises, to action shots of you at work, planning, attending meeting and running your classes, to professional headshots. We will have a full planning meeting and set a thorough brief to ensure your photos represent your brand.

High fives at the end of a great preschool class

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by Joanne Lewis • 26 November 2020

I couldn't let Black Friday 2020 go by without some amazing deals for my wonderful and valued customers... I've missed you all so much this year, but have loved the few shoots I was able to squeeze in between lockdowns and Home Education. With all the optimism I can muster for next year (I am naturally a pretty positive person) I am offering some spectacular deals on vouchers for my Hertford Studio and outdoor or on-location sessions next year (packages may be given as gifts, but please confirm preferred locations around Hertfordshire and some parts of London, Cambridgeshire and Essex with me before booking).