FotoRecord » Dance Photography

04.26.2012

North Carolina Dance Theatre is performing its finale of the season with two provocative pieces - “Dangerous Liaisons,” with choreography from Sasha Janes, and “Artifice” from renowned choreographer Dwight Rhoden.

Endings are always bittersweet, and this year is especially difficult as NCDT says goodbye to four wonderful dancers - Rebecca Carmazzi, Justin Van Weest, David Ingram and Alessandra Ball.

Rhoden’s work is always visual and stimulating, and Janes, a former NCDT dancer, delivers another feast for the senses that includes composer, cellist Ben Sollee suspended above the dancers.

Pete Walker and David Ingram in an epic sword fight

Amazing set for "Dangerous Liaisons"

Anna Gerberich and Alessandra Ball

Daniel Rodriguez and Kate Ann Behrendt

Rebecca Carmazzi

Composerm. musician Ben Sollee floats above the stage

Composer, musician Ben Sollee floats above the stage

Incredible music and performance from Ben Sollee

Pete Walker and Rebecca Carmazzi

Pete Walker looks ready for battle

Cool choreography and vision from Sasha Janes

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Best to David Ingram, another incredible talent who is performing in his final show

Anna Gerberich and David Ingram

Jamie Dee and David Ingram

Walker and Ingram's sword fight is incredible

Rebecca Carmazzi is wonderful in her swan song performance

Rebecca Carmazzi is wonderful as she prepares to transition from dancing

Good luck also to Justin Van Weest, who is leaving after his season

Good luck also to Justin Van Weest, who is leaving after this season

Alessandra Ball

Ingram and Ball in Rhoden's "Artifice"

David Ingram

Ingram lifts Jamie Dee

Pete Walker

The group has some fun in "Artifice"

Pete Walker

Jamie Dee and David Ingram

Melissa Anduiza and Jordan Leeper

Anna Gerberich and Addul Manzano

Jordan Leeper

Fun finale to Rhoden's piece

A special farewell to Alessandra Ball...an amazing dancer and wonderful person. Best to you and Michael in your new adventures

04.25.2012

I’m excited to share some images from another studio photography session with two amazing ballet dancers.

Several years ago, I photographed then 16-year-old Anna Gerberich for a story The Charlotte Observer was doing on her joining the North Carolina Dance Theatre.

Melissa Anduiza is another incredible artist I’ve photographed numerous times and it was a pleasure working with them both. I have so much respect for their talent and professionalism.

Both women are incredibly photogenic and I took the opportunity to try out a few new portrait lighting techniques.

A big thank you again to Kevin and Teresa Chelko for giving the opportunity to work in their studio. They are incredible professionals who pay attention to every detail, which is a good reason the space is utilized in major television and still productions. Thanks also to my former Observer colleague Phil Hoffman, who came along and filmed the shoot. We’ll be sharing that here at some point.

Be sure to check out NCDT’s final show of the season, which includes the choreography of Sasha Janes in Dangerous Liaisons and Dwight Rhoden’s Artifice. The performances are this Thursday through Saturday at the Knight Theater in Charlotte.

Anna Gerberich

Melissa Anduiza

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04.02.2012

I started photographing ballet in the early ’90s while working for The Charlotte Observer.

At the time, much of my time was spent photographing Atlantic Coast Conference and professional sports. But I was immediately taken with the artistry and athleticism of the dancers. A passion was born.

Fast forward to the present and much of my time is spent photographing brides and grooms, marketing materials and corporate executives. But, as anyone who has followed our blog for a period of time would note, I’ve never stopped photographing the amazing dancers of North Carolina Dance Theatre. It is one of few things I do purely because I want to.

While I’ve always enjoyed the challenge and discovery of photographing live performance, I have also wanted to experiment with capturing some of these amazing athletes in the studio.

The planets aligned and I had the opportunity to work at a friend’s amazing studio and the idea came to life.

I want to thank my friends Kevin and Teresa Chelko for giving me the opportunity to work in their beautiful studio. Kevin is one of the premier food photographers in the region and Teresa is a talented food stylist - what a great combination. And we all attend Lake Forest Church in Huntersville.

And I also had the good fortune of working with two amazing NCDT dancers: Alessandra Ball and Sarah Hayes Watson. Both have appeared on this blog many times and we are very excited to be photographing Alessandra’s wedding to Michael in May. You can see some of their engagement photos here.

Thanks to you Alessandra and Sarah: it was such a pleasure working with you.

Keep an eye out because we will be doing some more of these shoots in the near future.

Alessandra Ball

Sarah Hayes Watson

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03.09.2012

North Carolina Dance Theatre’s Sleeping Beauty is a timeless story with classic choreography by Jean-Piere Bonnefoux.

It’s a tale of good winning over evil and it includes a beautiful princess, a dashing prince, gorgeous costumes, wonderful sets and an amazing score from Tchaikovsky. They even threw in a couple of other fairy tale scenes for good measure.

Alessandra Ball, whose wedding we are excited to be documenting in May, does a wonderful job as the lead character Princess Aurora.

Alessandra Ball takes center stage in NCDT's Cinderella

Alessandra Ball takes center stage in NCDT's Sleeping Beauty

The show is a visual delight with classic movement and colorful costumes

NCDT2's Christina LaForgia

Sarah Hayes Watson floats

Kate Ann Behrendt charms the audience

Jamie Dee makes a point

Melissa Anduiza is the fairy who helps revive Sleeping Beauty

Colorful symmetry

David Ingram portrays Carabosse, one scary character

It was nice to see the talented Kati Hanlon Mayo, a former NCDT principal dancer, back on stage portraying Cinderella's mother

It was nice to see the talented Kati Hanlon Mayo, a former NCDT principal dancer, back on stage portraying Sleeping Beauty's mother

Amazing colors and movement

Princess Aurora falls under the spell

Addul Manzano and Melissa Anduiza

Alessandra Ball and Addul Manzano

Floating in unison

Aurora awakens

Amazing kick from Melissa Anduiza

Sarah Hayes Watson takes flight

Another fun moment

Jordan Leeper soars

Jamie Dee

Naseeb Culpepper is the fox chasing Little Red Riding Hood, portrayed by Kate Ann Behrendt

Boys overtake the ogre, played by David Morse, in NCDT's version of Tom Thumb

The ogre is down for the count

Alessandra Ball commands the stage

Ball and Manzano finish a daring drop

Addul Manzano knifes through the air

Jamie Dee watches the rehearsal

Aurora takes a bow

12.23.2011

We have been blessed with another wonderful year and we are so thankful for all of our fantastic clients and friends.

Here’s hoping that you have the happiest of holidays!

From Christopher Record Photography and the Record family - Chris, Betsy, Alison and Sean.

Wishing you the best for the holidays and in the coming year

12.09.2011

Christmas Carols, cookies, eggnog and…The Nutcracker of course.

It’s that time of year and North Carolina Dance Theatre is ready with its 2011 version of the holiday classic.

Happy Holidays everyone!

Alessandra Ball takes flight in North Carolina Dance Theatre's Nutcracker

Clara gets a lift from Drosselmeyer

Clara with her Nutcracker

Getting carried away

Toy soldier Jordan Leeper

Mice on the move

The Mouse King is ready for battle

Graceful dancers

In unison

Ready to perform

Snowflakes

In motion

Jamie Dee gets a lift from Pete Walker

A light moment while waiting for some publicity photos

Pete Walker has some fun while waiting

Dancing in the snow

Footwork

Pete Walker and Jamie Dee

Snowed under

Preparation

Angels

Sugar Plum Fairy Anna Gerberich

Sarah Hayes Watson kicks up her heels

Kate Ann Behrendt

Melissa Anduiza and Daniel Rodriguez

Melissa Anduiza

Alessandra Ball and friends

Alessandra spins

On their toes

Pretty in pink

Pete Walker leaps

Colorful Kate Anne Behrendt

Watching from the wings

David Morse and Anna Gerberich laugh as they practice their lifts during a break

Gerberich and Morse

David Morse and Anna Gerberich

11.04.2011

North Carolina Dance Theatre’s Innovative Works is always vibrant and entertaining, but this year is a unique experience as the talented troupe opens the doors of its sparkling Uptown facility for shows on three consecutive weekends.

Works by acclaimed resident choreographer Dwight Rhoden, NCDT’s Mark Diamond and NCDT dancers/choreographers Sasha Janes and David Ingram are a feast for the senses.

Shows run this weekend as well as Nov. 10-12 and 17-19.

Anna Gerberich soars in "Last Lost Chance"

Sarah Hayes Watson in the spotlight in Dwight Rhoden's "Alleged Dances"

Addul Manzano

Anna Gerberich and Jordan Leeper

Alessandra Ball, who will be one of our 2012 brides, in "Alleged Dances"

Melissa Anduiza

In unison, Alessandra Ball and Pete Walker, Melissa Anduiza and Addul Manzano and Anna Gerberich and Daniel Rodriquez in Rhoden's piece

Sarah Hayes Watson

Ball with Naseeb Culpepper

Anna Gerberich

Dancer/choreographer Sasha Janes talks with dancer/teacher Traci Gilchrest during a break

Acclaimed choreographer Dwight Rhoden works with Jamie Dee and Melissa Anduiza

Watson and Leeper in James' "Last Lost Chance"

More Watson and Leeper

Anduiza in "Last Lost Chance"

Anduiza performs

Gerberich, Anduiza and Watson

More from "I"

Sarah Hayes Watson and Jordan Leeper

The conclusion of Ingram's "I"

06.11.2011

I always know that a wedding that features a Kathy Allen Fine Wedding Cake is going to be an impressive event.

So I was excited and privileged to get the opportunity to document Kathy’s daughter Kendrick’s wedding to Clay at The Duke Mansion. And, as you would expect, the cake and the entire event, were spectacular.

Kathy is known to go above and beyond as she consults with brides to learn more about their dresses and flowers to help her create a masterpiece cake that fits seamlessly into the overall feel of the wedding.

The Duke Mansion was the perfect host for the event, which included an amazing palette of colorful flowers from Elizabeth House.

Adrian Howe of Beauty Sophisticate had the ladies looking gorgeous and Jessica Jonczak and the staff at The Duke Mansion made everything run seamlessly. I got another excellent photography assist from the talented Peter Zay.

You might say the event was, well…a piece of cake.

Congratulations Kendrick and Clay!

Kendrick and Clay

The Duke Mansion

A grand entrance with one of Kathy Allen Fine Wedding Cakes as the centerpiece

Another view of the magnificent cake

The flowers from Elizabeth House Flowers were spectacular

The setting for the ceremony

The dress

Kendrick's sister Lawson gets an assist from sister-in-law Olga

Graham comes to see his sister as she gets ready

Getting ready

Lawson grabs a photo as Olga finishes her hair

Touching up

Kendrick gets a touch-up from makeup artist Adrian Howe

Kendrick checks her look

The ladies gather for some champagne

Kendrick and her mother admire her beautiful bouquet

Kathy enjoys the moment with her daughter

Adjusting the veil

Kendrick spots her nephew as she makes her way to the ceremony

Waiting on the staircase at The Duke Mansion

Clay, his father and the minister wait for their entrance

Love this image Peter captured of Kendrick waiting with her father Gary

Love this image Peter captured of Kendrick waiting with her father Randy

Graham escorts his mother

Kendrick and her father from Peter's angle

Walking down the aisle

One of the flower girls got a lilttle off course

One of the flower girls got a little off course

The vows

Just married

Finding a quiet spot

Time for some pictures

The ladies were pretty in pink

Kendrick and her sister Lawson

The extreme heat was a challenge, but Kendrick managed to keep her cool

Kendrick's brother Graham and his wife Olga

A kiss for the bride

Time to party

Father/daughter dance

Clay dances with his mother

It's almost a shame to cut such a work of art, but Kathy gives a few pointers

Cutting the cake

Kendrick hugs a friend

Enjoying the evening on the grounds of Duke Mansion

Time to dance

End of a sparkling night

04.20.2011

The setting was perfect as Dana, Tom and their families prepared for their wedding on the farm property that has been in Tom’s family since 1763.

But a potent spring storm had everyone scrambling as the rain poured down on the morning of the wedding. Plans called for the ceremony in a meadow not far from the farmhouse. Plan B called for the ceremony to be held under the tent that would also be used for the reception.

Fortunately the storm blew through early enough to move the ceremony back to its original setting. The sun even made an appearance, but remnants of the storm were persistent, gusty winds.

Dana and Tom live in New York City but they wanted to utilize the beautiful family property. It was a wonderful family affair with Dana’s brothers and Tom’s father and sister in the wedding party.

Following the beautiful outdoor ceremony, everyone moved to a cocktail hour outside the farmhouse before dinner in the tent.

Thanks to Janie Sellers, a friend of Tom’s family, who served as wedding director. I had the pleasure of working with Janie several times when she had a wedding planning business and it was great working with her again. The Place for Flowers had everything looking great and Haines Barksdale of For Goodness Cakes created another masterpiece.

I got a great assist from from David Malament, a talented young photographer who came along to help document the day.

The night got a bit chilly but Tom’s father built a huge bonfire that was good for keeping warm as well as for making smores.

Sparklers lit the way as the couple headed off for their new life together.

: Dana and Tom take a stroll on the family property that has been in Tom’s family since 1763

: There was a wonderful low-key, country feel to the wedding celebration

: There were plenty of four-legged friends on hand

: Dana prepares to get dressed

: Adding the earrings

: Dana’s father Brad checks on the progress before the wedding

: Dana gets some help from her mother Barb

: Finishing touches

: Something old…

Classic

: A bouquet detail from David

: Tom gets ready

: Guests head out to the ceremony site

: A little help with directions

: The women head to the ceremony in this image from David

: Dana and her father wait to down the aisle from David’s vantage point

: Dana glances at Tom as she walks with her father

: Exchanging rings

: A happy moment

: Celebrating

: Another kiss

: Both families gather for a portrait

: A fun shot of the bridesmaids from David

: What started as a rainy, stormy day turned into a beautiful, albeit windy, evening as David captured this portrait

: I got off a few frames before a huge gust of wind almost knocked us over

: The farm provided some great backdrops for photos

: Country kiss

: A little time alone

: Grandmothers head to the reception

: Details from David

: Beautiful confection from For Goodness Cakes

: Reception setting

: Guests make a new friend

: Proper footwear required

: Cocktail hour

: The parents greet the guests

: Dana’s beautiful wrap belonged to Tom’s maternal grandmother

: Dana got a little emotional during the first dance

: A huge bonfire helped take the chill off the night

: Sendoff

: Making their getaway

03.12.2011

I look forward to North Carolina Dance Theatre’s (NCDT) “Director’s Choice” performance each year.

The production is diverse and eclectic, showcasing the incredible talent and range of NCDT’s dancers and choreographers.

And it’s always a visual delight with amazing light, color and movement.

And in a unique piece, the amazing choreographer Dwight Rhoden gives tribute to the artist Romare Bearden as dancers perform in front of huge displays of the Bearden’s work.

Czech choreographer Jiri Bubenicek’s piece utilizes the art of Leonardo di Vinci as a backdrop.

The show is another work of art from NCDT.