Ballerina + Ocean, Santa Maria del Mar, Cuba, 2015

From the first moment we laid eyes on her we just knew that she would fit right in. We were looking for dancers to photograph alongside our main dancer, and especially dancers with similar features and personalities. Our hopes were answered with this young spirit.

We were standing in front of the school when we noticed her practicing with her friends prior to class. She was leading the dance with such passion, truly remarkable. We decided to approach her mother and were greeted with both warmth and confidence. They immediately agreed to be included in our work, and we made arrangements to do so.

That was four years ago, and now she is part of the family. We pick them up early in the morning, at least 90 minutes before sunrise... and they are always ready. What they sacrifice for the sake of these images inspires me immensely, and to see her and the others have a good time in the ocean after our photography fills me with joy. 

When she receives her photographs, and usually the number is in the hundreds, she looks through them one by one. She usually arranges the photographs in the albums as she would like them seen, and always leaves the albums next to the television for all to see. She is in love with dance and photography, and I am beyond blessed to be her photographic documentarian.

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Note: This image was made with a Fuji GA645i.