The magazine of the art-form of the photo-essay
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Feb 2014 back issue
by Chiabella James
In 2008 I was asked by two friends to photograph their small dance company's live performance. Having never
photographed dance before, it was an opportunity to experiment. That was the beginning of 5 years as photographer
for the company, watching it grow very quickly from a handful of dancers to over 100 performers in a historical theater
in Los Angeles.
I discovered a new kind of adrenalin rush in photographing dance and learning to read the dancers movements in
order to catch a jump or turn in the split second that it lasts. A good photograph for a dancer has little to do with
framing or lighting and everything to do with fingers and toes in the right place. If not, the picture might never see the
light of day, no matter how beautiful it may otherwise be; a hard sacrifice to make to one's own art! It became my
challenge to find and capture their 'perfect moments' and bring my version of beautiful together with theirs.
Beyond the thrill of the show is the family behind the curtain. I have watched beginners grow into professionals and
feel a different sense of pride in recording their individual accomplishments. The real thrill is in giving these people
tactile proof of their talent, witnessing the boost in their confidence and giving permanency to the beautiful and
passionate moments that are the soul of their dance family. It has altered my perspective of dance and of who and
what a photographer can be and how much impact our art can have on the lives of others.
Marquee - At every performance the dancers traditionally take jumping shots in front of the marquee. This large group,
which includes the owners of the company, only had one take at this as I had to run into the middle of a busy road to
get the picture.
Rehearsals for one of the company shows.
Some of the dancers joke around during rehearsals for a show.
Backstage pre show preparations.
Backstage at the Nutcracker.
The final moment of a performance that bravely addressed the topic of suicide.
A fun tribute to 'Our Favorite Son' from the Will Rogers follies.
A guest performance by a well known LA based bellydancer.
Rehearsing with the trap door for a Vegas Showgirls piece.
Dancing in water. Photograph featured in New York's Art Takes Times Square exhibition.
Jumping around under the Santa Monica pier.
An aerialist dramatically unwinds and drops from the top
of the tissue.
One of the youngest members of the dance company silhouetted at the peak of her leap.
A choreographer with a sense of humour. This robot-inspired piece to a Ting Tings song has been performed for
multiple dance festivals and competitions in California and is an audience favourite.
A guest performance by an LA based pole dancing company, giving the audience a new perspective on pole dancing.
A high energy afro jazz performance.
The company made a few alterations to the classical Nutcracker, including lead performances in drag.
Waiting at the bus stop. Part of a photo shoot centred
on 'Random Acts of Dance' shot around Los Angeles.
Backstage at the El Portal.
An aerial tissue performance at one of
the company's first performances at the
El Portal.
