Photography, for me, is always about capturing the emotion, the moment, and the essence of the subject. Recently, I had the incredible opportunity to photograph dancer Amelia Martinez in my studio. This session, however, was far from ordinary—there was a very specific vision in mind, and to bring that vision to life, I enlisted the expertise of a dear friend and accomplished Hollywood director of photography, Georg Koblasa. For those who may not know, Georg’s work behind the camera includes some iconic works, especially in the series Columbo as Director of Photography. His eye for detail and experience were essential for what we were trying to create and I learned a lot from this dear mentor.

The Vision and The Process

From the start, I had a very clear image in my mind: a dramatic interplay of light and shadow that would highlight Amelia’s fluidity and grace while embodying an ethereal yet powerful feel. The lighting had to be just right, the pose delicate yet strong, and the overall ambiance had to capture the essence of dance itself. It wasn’t just about showcasing Amelia’s skills as a dancer, but about creating a feeling, almost like freezing a heartbeat in time.

With Georg’s guidance, we began setting up the lighting. His suggestions were invaluable, and together, we fine-tuned the balance of light and shadow. The first few shots were close but didn’t quite hit the mark. It took a few tries, and in the process, we really put Amelia through her paces. She was graceful throughout, even though it was a physically demanding session. Each adjustment in lighting and pose brought us closer to the vision, but it wasn’t easy. We wore this poor dancer out!

The Perfect Shot – And Beyond

Finally, after numerous attempts, we nailed the look I had in my head. That one image—where the light hit just right, Amelia’s pose captured the precise blend of elegance and power—felt like magic. The satisfaction of seeing that vision materialize was immense.

After achieving that perfect shot, we moved on to other poses using the same lighting setup. The beauty of working with someone as talented as Amelia is that even after an intense session, she had so much energy and creativity to offer. We experimented, played with form, and captured a variety of different looks, all still infused with the same dramatic lighting.

Reflecting on Collaboration and Creativity

This shoot was a reminder of how much collaboration can elevate the creative process. Working with Georg and Amelia pushed me to think beyond what I normally do in the studio. It was a fusion of dance, photography, and cinematographic expertise, and the results exceeded my expectations.

For me, this session wasn’t just about getting beautiful images, but about honoring the art of dance and the process of creating something truly unique.

I can’t wait to work with more dancers and create expressive and meaningful art.

Stay tuned!