Behind the Lens: Capturing the Art of Amelia Martinez with Georg Koblasa
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!
Kendall ChristinFischer: Old Meeting House Sessions
I run a Facebook group for dancers and I met Kendall in that group. She runs Myriad Dance Co. and dances all over the valley. I first photographed her group, Myriad, in a fun and challenging group session using a wash of colors in the set, This time I got Kendall and Arielle Miller and we shot in the ballroom of The Old Meeting House (now scheduled for demolition). This post will feature just Kendall, because each dancer deserves their own posts.
Kendall in front of the old organ at The Old Meeting House.
Kendall dances a variety of dance genres, from ballet, to modern, from hoops to silks. I was struck by how conscientious she is in her work ethic and in her preparation for a dance shoot. I love this kind of mental attitude with dancers as it brings out my best and I find myself even more eager to create with them and give them the very best I can in lighting and a working relationship.
This session was taken during Covid and Kendall brought this fancy bejeweled face mask. We had to get a portrait with it. Does she look part Ninja with it on?
There are a number of options for you when planning a dance portrait session. Starting at $100, there are lots of possibilities. You may find more of Kendall on:
Video review of Kendall’s session.