Cambridge Dancers’ Club

One of the reasons that I photograph a lot of dance, is that I’m also passionate about dancing myself. Thanks to the breadth of opportunity and classes available in Cambridge, I’ve worked my way through Ballroom, Latin, Offbeat, Salsa, Acrobatic Rock’n’Roll, and Contemporary dance. Most of these styles are offered by Cambridge Dancers’ Club (CDC), which was, up until recently, the largest student society in Cambridge. They’re in the process of doing a large publicity drive to bring lots of new members to classes, which in turn feeds new members to the Cambridge University Dancesport Team, one of the most successful student dancesport teams in the country. While I was on the Cambridge University Rock’n’Roll Team, I created lots of publicity material for RnR classes and the CURnR Team, so CDC have commissioned me to create the new publicity material for this year. Having started on my Cambridge Ballerina Project this summer, I had the idea of a photoshoot in one of the most impressive locations in Cambridge (New Court, St. John’s), with 3-4 couples, representing each of the styles offered.

Cambridge Dancers' Club - Poster

Cambridge University Dancesport Team
One of 4 related photos, focusing on each couple in turn

Salsa Dancers, Cambridge University
Salsa dancers

Cambridge University Ballroom Dancers
Ballroom dancers

Cambridge University Ballroom Dancers

Ballroom Gentlemen
Ballroom Gents. So suave.

Cambridge Ballerina Project – Sandy

The fifth photoshoot of the Cambridge Ballerina Project. I’ve photographed Sandy in many contemporary dance shows over the last few years, and with her background in ballet as well as contemporary, she was always one of my top choices for a dance photoshoot, especially after one my photos of her graced the cover of a Cambridge magazine.

I always prefer shooting at Magic Hour (the hour before sunset when the light is golden, and everything it touches looks beautiful). However, Sandy wanted to shoot in the middle of town, on roads, roundabouts etc. Given the number of people occupying the streets around 8pm, we decided to shoot at sunrise. The results, I hope you’ll agree, were well worth Sandy’s 5am start, and my staying up all night in anticipation.

Cambridge Ballerina Project

Cambridge Ballerina Project

Cambridge Ballerina Project

Cambridge Ballerina Project

Cambridge Ballerina Project

Cambridge Ballerina Project

Cambridge Ballerina Project

Cambridge Ballerina Project

More photos from this shoot can be viewed at http://claude.gallereasy.com/#gallery_286

Become a fan of the Cambridge Ballerina Project on Facebook.

Cambridge Ballerina Project – Ellie & Emily

The fourth photoshoot of the Cambridge Ballerina Project, in Emmanuel College. Emily was one of the principal dancers in the recent CU Ballet Show “Sleeping Beauty”. Ellie is a friend of Jenny’s (whom I’d photographed in a previous Cambridge Ballerina Project photoshoot), and although I was apprehensive before the shoot, having no idea how photogenic or capable a dancer she was, I was immediately and very pleasantly surprised when she took up her first pose:

Cambridge Ballerina Project

Ellie then went on to confirm that she was not only a great dancer, but also an inspiring muse.

Cambridge Ballerina Project

Cambridge Ballerina Project

Cambridge Ballerina Project

Cambridge Ballerina Project

Cambridge Ballerina Project

Cambridge Ballerina Project

Cambridge Ballerina Project

Cambridge Ballerina Project

Cambridge Ballerina Project

Cambridge Ballerina Project

Cambridge Ballerina Project

More photos from this shoot can be viewed at http://claude.gallereasy.com/#gallery_284

Become a fan of the Cambridge Ballerina Project on Facebook.

Cambridge Ballerina Project – Chantelle

The third photoshoot of the Cambridge Ballerina Project, in St. John’s College, and The Backs. Chantelle was one of the principal dancers in the recent CU Ballet Show “Sleeping Beauty”. She has trained professionally, and has done several ballet photoshoots in the past. I felt bad that Chantelle’s beautiful white pointe shoes got slightly damaged and dirty during the shoot, but hopefully the gorgeous resulting photos make up for it.

More photos from this shoot can be viewed at http://claude.gallereasy.com/#gallery_283

Become a fan of the Cambridge Ballerina Project on Facebook.

Cambridge Ballerina Project

Cambridge Ballerina Project

Cambridge Ballerina Project

Cambridge Ballerina Project

Cambridge Ballerina Project

Cambridge Ballerina Project

Cambridge Ballerina Project

Cambridge Ballerina Project

Cambridge Ballerina Project

Cambridge Ballerina Project

Cambridge Ballerina Project – Jenny, Natalie, Hanna

The second photoshoot of the Cambridge Ballerina Project, in Jesus College. The main model here was Jenny, one of the dancers I spotted in the recent CU Ballet Show “Sleeping Beauty”. I noticed her potential, even though she wasn’t one of the prominent dancers in the show, and she certainly exceeded my expectations.

More photos from this shoot can be viewed at http://claude.gallereasy.com/#gallery_282

Become a fan of the Cambridge Ballerina Project on Facebook.

20100604-IMG 2160-Edit p-2

20100604-IMG 2211-Edit p-2

20100604-IMG 2237-Edit p-2

20100604-IMG 2381 p-2

20100604-IMG 2421 p-2

20100604-IMG 2477 p-2

20100604-IMG 2550 p-2

Cambridge Ballerina Photoshoot – Luciana & Claire

Having photographed contemporary and ballet dance shows in Cambridge over the last 5 years, and recently inspired by Dane Shitagi’s “Ballerina Project” based in New York, I decided to work on my own project, creating beautiful images of ballet and contemporary dancers in scenic (and not-so-well-known) locations around Cambridge.

This inaugural shoot took place in Magdalene College and St. John’s College, with Luciana and Claire, two of the more experienced ballet dancers in the recent CU Ballet Show “Sleeping Beauty”.

More photos from this shoot can be viewed at http://claude.gallereasy.com/#gallery_281

Become a fan of the Cambridge Ballerina Project on Facebook.

Cambridge Ballerina Project - Luciana

Cambridge Ballerina Project - Luciana
In the cloisters under the Pepys Library, Magdalene College

20100602-IMG 1826-Edit p-2

20100602-IMG 2115 p
Claire, showing true Johnian pride

20100602-IMG 8397 p-2

20100602-IMG 8422 p-2

20100602-IMG 8436 p-2

Chaela

Chaela is a ballet dancer, student and part-time model from Cambridge. I’ve always wanted to create an image of a ballet dancer tying on her shoes.

Ballet dancer Chaela

Ballet dancer Chaela