The Ballet Project is an ongoing photo series of ballet poses at beautiful unexpected locations around the Hudson Valley and Catskills region of New York. The project is now in its third year. 2013 had 10 parts and was shot over several months in the summer and fall of 2012. The 2014 edition was shot in the summer and fall of 2013 throughout the Hudson Valley and Catskills. For the 2015 edition, I expanded the dancers in the shoots. This year we have Megan, Jenn, Amelia and Paige. My goal was to create a fantasy world but retain the identity of each specific location. I was inspired to start this project because my daughters study ballet and I wanted to create images that depicted them in an almost story book scene so the rest of the world could see the vision I have of them.

2013 Edition
Click to view: 2014 Edition \ 2015 Edition
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Part 1 – Highland Lakes April 24, 2013 - Part 1 started off as an experiement and inspired me to create a series out of these photos. This set was taken at Highland Lakes Park in the Town of Wallkill at dusk before a storm rolled in.

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Part 2 – Neversink Gorge Forest May 1, 2013 - This set was shot during a hike through the Neversink Gorge Forest. We hiked down to the Neversink River in search of some unique scenes and found this archway of pines along the way. I consider this the highlight of the entire series.

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Part 3 – Winding Hills Pond May 9, 2013 - These were taken just before sunset at the pond at Winding Hills Park. As the sun was setting it put a spot light on a small area along the shore line. We took advantage of the fading light as quickly as possible. Megan literally ran over to that spot to pose before the sun dropped below the horizon.

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Part 4 – Mid-Hudson Bridge May 14, 2013 - Part 4 was taken last summer after sunset in Highland looking out at the Mid-Hudson Bridge. It took a long exposure with use of a softbox at low power to properly light the dancer as well as get the bridge exposed properly.

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Part 5 – Sam’s Point May 22, 2013 - After hiking up to the top of Sam’s Point last summer on the front side of the Shawangunk ridge, we came upon some amazing views looking towards the Catskills. I used 2 lights to overpower the sunlight to make for a very saturated scene.

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Part 6 – Cragsmoor Day 1 May 30, 2013 - This set was taken last summer on the back side of the Shawngunk Gunk Ridge at the Old Stone Church in Cragsmoor. I used one light to overpower the sunlight to make for a very saturated scene. I was able to take advantage of the overcast sky that resulted in a painterly feel.

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Part 7 – Diamond Lake June 5, 2013 -Last fall at Diamond Lake in Montgomery. The setting sun was just at the right angle to create a unique set of photos on the lake.

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Part 8 – Shawangunk Ridge June 12, 2013 - Part 8 was taken on top of the Shawangunk Ridge facing towards Orange County. I used two lights on this shoot to overpower the late day sun coming in from the backs of the models.

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Part 9 – Woods of Montgomery June 19, 2013 - We traveled around the Montgomery area one evening in mid-fall. Eventually we came across this set of maple trees right before sunset. Between the bright yellow leaves on the ground and the sunlight streaming in from the side it was a perfect location.

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Part 10 – Cragsmoor Day 2 June 26, 2013 - The final installment was shot late day on the back side of the Shawngunk Gunk Ridge at the Old Stone Church in Cragsmoor. I returned to this spot because I wanted to capture a few portraits at sunset instead of the cloudy mid-day light we had in Part 6.

                      
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