the dance photography workshop

ashleigh wilson

I have been quite busy this summer with work, life, travelling, and trying to squeeze in photo projects when I can. I always try to push myself creatively. sometimes, things work out and sometimes they don't. I don't really mind if I fail because as I get older I think its all about testing things out and seeing what happens. for about a year now, I have been eager to photograph ballerinas. I have been fortunate to work with some amazing dancers that I have met through my own dance classes, but I still have been longing for something more. somehow, I stumbled upon an interesting site online called the dance photography workshop. it is run by a beautiful ballerina named ashleigh wilson who gathers photographers from all over the world and we just get together to photograph ballerinas and dancers in interesting locations and spaces. I felt a bit nervous taking part with this group because everyone seemed very professional with their cameras and I didn't really know if I even fit in this group. for the most part, I tried not to focus too much on my level and just do my thing. I can't say I am a professional photographer by any means, but I can certainly find moments with people and that is really my entire aim with anything I photograph. my favorite part of the workshop was when the ballerinas took to the street and we all just snapped away. I did enjoy photographing the ballerinas in the studio, but I felt more comfortable photographing in the street....especially this alley way we found somewhere in silverlake. ashleigh has such grace and elegance and I love how she contrasts with this not so glamorous side street. we really see the tone of her leg muscles and her overall strength. I knew going into this workshop that I didn't want to do cliché ballet photos, I just wanted to capture moments that felt very real and honest.....much like this image! I am going to be doing some more workshops in the future and I very much enjoyed learning from the dancers and the other photographers. at this stage in my life, it just feels really good to try new things and to surround myself with other people who love dance and photographing it as much as I do....so much creation on all levels that I certainly can't get enough of.