Daniel Ulbricht / Stars of American Ballet

Daniel Ulbricht and Jeffrey Cirio in “Les Lutins”

It’s great to have Daniel Ulbricht & his star ballet friends back at Jacob’s Pillow. Rebecca Krohn and Tyler Angle are back this summer, too. For the second year in a row, Daniel’s show is fantastic, and these artists are performing beautiful works. I was able to photograph the first piece live during performance, and all of the other dances during dress rehearsal.

Tyler Angle and Rebecca Krohn in Christopher Wheeldon’s “After the Rain”

Rebecca Krohn and Jared Angle in Jerome Robbins’ “In The Night”

My dad was in town this week, and after seeing the performance said to me: “Daniel brought his friends who are all-star, phenomenal dancers, but Daniel himself is the Babe Ruth.” Daniel stands out, because he is a fantastic, beautiful dancer to watch, but also because he is one of those people that when he walks into the room, everyone feels elevated. He has a presence that fills you up. Daniel sees the good in people and is the kind, gracious, generous artist that I aspire to be. Daniel Ulbricht is my hero.

Russell Janzen, Daniel Ulbricht, Amar Ramasar, and Jeffrey Cirio in Justin Peck’s “Distractions”

Daniel started this project with his ballet friends, because his mom was not well enough to come to New York and see them perform. So he brought the ballet to her.  And this great idea has flourished and continues to tour sharing these gorgeous artists and works with the world.

Teresa Reichlen and Amar Ramasar in Jerome Robbins’ “In The Night”

Jessica Lang Dance

Jessica Lang’s The Wanderer

This is the start of a two-week engagement for Jessica Lang’s newest work. I was only able to photograph the final 30 minutes of the evening-length show.  Immediately after seeing the stage and the set I gave myself a specific challenge – “fill the frame, utilize every bit space.”

Jessica Lang’s The Wanderer

I challenge myself to fill the frame with interesting important elements – to work the floor and the set pieces and the dancers into the frame at the same time. There’s a lot going on visually in Jessica’s show: a chorus of dancers, several principal roles, design on the floor and hanging set pieces… I was really trying to photograph from a wide perspective instead of isolating any one aspect of the dance.

Jessica Lang’s The Wanderer

I love challenges like this and it was a satisfying shoot. Jessica Lang is great. People just love her work, and it’s wonderful to have her back here at the Pillow.

Jessica Lang’s The Wanderer

Dance Portraits with Anica Bottom

Anica Bottom

Last Sunday I was able to spend a lot of time with Pillow Artist Anica Bottom. Most often, due to artist’s full schedules (and mine, too) I have limited time, so I wanted to share an example of what I can do when time is abundant. Anica gave me the time to experiment, make mistakes, find interesting locations, collaborate and fine tune. That’s what time brings to two artists working together to create something of beauty, just for fun!

Anica Bottom

Anica Bottom

Anica Bottom

Anica Bottom

Anica Bottom