It is always exciting to get to photograph something I haven’t had a chance to shoot before. Recently I was hired to shoot two different dance events just days apart from each other.

The first event was a belly dancing recital at Tupelo Music Hall in White River Junction, Vermont put on by Raq-On Studios. I had photographed Raq-On’s founder Amity Alize and one of her classes for Upper Valley Life magazine at the beginning of last year, but this would be a live performance. I got to the event early enough to watch a little bit of last minute rehearsal so I had a pretty good idea of where I would shoot from and what angles I would try for - soon the hall filled to capacity to see the many dancers. The dancers ranged from beginners to those with decades of experience, but each performance thrilled the crowd and the performers seemed to be thoroughly enjoying themselves. Belly dancing embraces beautiful movement, individuality and traditions, confidence, glitter, and lets face it - sexiness.

The second event was the ballet performance of Cinderella by Moving Light Dance at the Barre Opera House. To get the best shooting locations and not to be distracting to the audience I shot the dress rehearsal a couple days before the public performances. My first challenge with this event was an ill-timed migraine headache that started just before I had to head to it, fortunately a headache pill kept it in check, and I didn’t have to curl up in ball on the floor when I should be taking pictures. Ballet and belly dancing are very different, but both are beautiful. The athleticism required in ballet is impressive and then it is paired with wonderful grace and acting that takes great talent to pull off. This performance had many student performers playing key roles and lots of younger kids in supporting roles which added to the fun.

Photographically these were face paced, non-stop jobs, but I still had time to enjoy the performances too. The stage lighting provided plenty of light to produce clean and dramatic images of the talented dancers and I was pleased with what I was able to produce on my first two dance jobs.

And a few more belling dancing images...

...and more ballet...