Portrait of Belly Dancer - Destiny

I found out recently that belly dancers are super cool! Destiny reached out to me in need of images for her new website so we started to brainstorm. Destiny is not just a dancer but also instructor, mom, snake owner and loves muscles cars - hers had me drooling. However I soon realized there were too many ideas to complete in a single day. So we turned it into a two day shoot. In fact we still have a 3rd day scheduled for later this summer. Below is a just a small sample of my favorites from our two days of pure fun.

Enjoy.

Ballerina shoot with Janna | Dance project

I shot this series in 2013 after meeting Janna at a party. We talked about her background in ballet and I suggested we shoot. I absolutely love everything about these images and starting this summer I am looking for dancers interested in doing more. 

If you or a dancer you know is interested please get in touch using the contact form - put "Dance DC" in the subject line.

FYI This is not limited to ballet dancers.

DeAnna: Fine art project

DeAnna approached me a few months ago with an idea based on a fine art shadow series by Lucien Clergue. I was excited to take on this challenge and spent some time practicing at home using studio lights pointed through various materials, patterns and shapes.  I discovered the control of these lights/shapes were rather difficult using strobes. Then I moved to the idea of continuous or constant light, but still ran into the problem of needing to have multiple shapes and patterns available on different medium light card board, metal or anything with holes in it. Then it hit me, a projector would be more beneficial for better light control. I could also include specific shapes/patterns that I wanted like lace, lines, palm and ginko leaf.

We talked about adding a few personal touches like an orchid and calla lilly since she is a part time florist. As a bonus, I wanted to make sure I included a few unique images shot through my Rollieflex for a vintage perspective. We also planned a few outdoor shots which proved to be tough due to the weather. Though it was mid/late May it happened to be a 50° F day, rainy and very gloomy. 

From the beginning of the shoot DeAnna was 110% fearless and confident. She took direction very well and brought her own elegance and beauty to each pose - I was highly impressed! For the record, she is not a model but killed it like one!

Enjoy a few many of our favorites below. Some images have been censored per her request.

Huge thank you to Samantha for the making DeAnna even more amazing with the hair and makeup. See more of her work here:  https://www.instagram.com/_snbeauty/

Assignment: Dr. Pacheco oculoplastic surgeon

I always enjoy photographing professional portraits that involve a contextual setting. Though I didnt get to photograph and surgery this time, it was a pleasure working with Dr. Pacheco for some updated portraits. 

Dr. Pacheco is a renown cosmetic and reconstructive eyelid specialist. Find out more about Dr. Pacheco and her talented team at www.myeyelids.com.