Richmond, VA Dance Photography: Artistic Studio Portraits and Dramatic Contemporary Dance

Virginia Dance Photography | Dance Portraits | Midlothian, Short Pump, Ashland, Hanover, and Virginia Professional Dance Photography | 

There is no greater joy in my career than when a senior client becomes a forever client. Not long ago, I was exploring the vibrant, urban backdrops of Downtown Richmond with Emma for her high school senior portraits. We had the best time capturing her personality against the city’s iconic architecture, but what I loved most was seeing Emma truly shine.

After we wrapped her senior portraits, Emma’s mom sent me a message that touched my heart. She said, "We’re even more excited about the dance session after the senior session. And I hope you keep doing this in perpetuity because you’ll be seeing us for two more senior and one more dance!"

When a parent tells me they want to come back for every milestone, it’s the highest compliment I can receive. Emma loved the experience of being in front of my lens so much that she and her mom were ready to jump right back into the studio to celebrate her life as a dancer.

As a student at Marianne Kelley’s School of Dance (SOD), movement is at the heart of who Emma is. While her downtown senior session was all about her style and graduation, her Artistic Dance Session was designed to celebrate the power, drama, and athleticism of her craft.

We traded the city skyline for the quiet of the studio to achieve a look that was purely artistic and dramatic. Emma specifically loved the high-contrast look of my black studio background portraits. There is something so striking about the way a dark backdrop allows every muscle movement and every pointed toe to take center stage.

Focusing on contemporary movements and a few stunning moments en pointe, Emma was a total natural. When she brought out her platter tutu, the session leveled up into something truly fine-art. We drew inspiration from some of my signature jumping and en pointe images, focusing on the shapes that only a trained dancer can create.

To the families at Marianne Kelley’s SOD and the Richmond dance community: your journey is worth documenting. I don't just want to give you a gallery; I want to give you an experience you’ll want to return to year after year. My studio calendar for artistic dance photography in Richmond is officially open—let’s create something dramatic together!