Step by Step

Published by Bloodaxe, 1989

Over a six year period in the mid-1980’s, Konttinen photographed mother daughter relationships in North Shields. With the back drop of dance studios, home life and unexpected show venues Konttinen documented the changing local landscape around them. The book shows the dedication, determination and pride the families had, against all adversity for their small dance communities.

Stephen Daldry also gave the book as a gift to members of the cast and crew to be used as a reference prior to the start of filming of Billy Elliot (2000) many of the design decisions and shots can be seen as almost direct homages to the original photographs.