We were honored to be asked to photograph the program dancers at ReFlex Arts Dance in Sarasota, Florida, for their original Dust Bowl themed Ballet. Each year, Chelsea March, the ReFlex ballet mistress puts together an original mini-ballet that all program dancers come together to perform. This creates an amazing experience for not only the dancers but the audience as well. Many times her pieces break with what someone might consider a traditional theme for a ballet. This year’s theme was no exception!
Ms. March’s extensive experience in dancing, costume making, stage tech skills, and choreography all come together to make brilliant masterpieces. Her passion for storytelling and teaching shines with her student’s performances and attention to detail. Ms. March created the beautiful costumes matching the times of the 1930’s Dust Bowl, but with dazzling colors portrayed, creating an amazing array of colors for the ballet photoshoot.
The photo shoot was held at Heartwood Retreat Center in Bradenton, Florida, which was a perfect setting of tranquility, with beautiful scenery, redwood bridges, a barn, tree lined paths, and a Chakra garden with flowers and stones.
They say that there are not magical lenses, but only magical photographers. We are lucky to have one of the most talented photographers in the area on staff. Billy Elkins captures the uniqueness and beauty of every subject and this shoot was no different. While Billy has done quite a few dance photo shoots this one was a bit different for him, it was his first time photographing ballerinas with live chickens!