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. This year we revisited many previous sites instead of seeking out new locations.

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.

You can read more about the Ballet Project on our Press Coverage page.



2015 Edition
Click to view: 2013 Edition \ 2014 Edition
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Part 1 – Shawankgunk Ridge
We traveled with Paige and Amelia to an area of the Shawankgunk Ridge before sunset one summer afternoon. As the sun moved closer to the horizon the light transformed into an amazing scene.


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Part 2 – Mohonk Road
One August evening I went to the Mohonk Road near New Paltz to shoot portraits with Jenn. Luckily the trail was empty and we were able to capture the late evening warm light along the trail.


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Part 3 – Sam's Point
After our walk to the ridge Amelia and Paige and I traveled to Sam's Point for portraits at sunset. The sky and clouds came together for a perfect scene. The warm light of the sun hit the cliffs perfectly.


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Part 4 – Hudson River at Ulster Park
Megan and I stopped for a brief shoot on the Hudson River at Ulster Park. It was early spring so the trees were bare and color monotone. But with her dress the color popped against the scene.


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Part 5 – Ellenville Pines
My next stop with Jenn was at a secret location in Ellenville. Where we found a small pine forest that blocked out all light. The resulting photos had an other-worldly look.


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Part 6 – Cragsmoor
After the sun was set I reached Cragsmoor with Paige and Amelia. We worked quickly with the light of the sun already behind the horizon and fading fast. I was able to setup 1 light and capture the remains of the day.


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Part 7 – Poet's Walk
On a mid-summer afternoon we took a trip up to Poet's Walk over in Dutchess County. I had heard it was a beautiful location. After a long walk through open fields we arrived at an overlook on the River.


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Part 8 –Mohonk Carriage House
This was a spot I returned to from previous years. This time with Jenn. We stopped here after our shoot on the Mohonk Road. We hit it just in time as the sun was beaming through the arch way creating the most beautiful light.


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Part 9 – Spring Glenn Cave
Another spot I revisited was Spring Glenn. This time again with Jenn. The light was soft and even with made for smooth water and reflections.


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Part 10 – Cragsmoor revisted
Our final post this edition was Cragsmoor which we hit for the second time this edition. This time with Jenn. The light was well before sunset but the clouds and mountains in the distance made for a delicate backdrop.


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