I started a Sunrise to Sundown project several years ago. That project has since morphed into more of a Sanctuary project, but when I first began it was more broadly a project where I shoot a subject from literally sun up to sun down.

This couple was a ballet duo that lived in this area at the time. We had some mutual friends which put us in touch. I shared my goals for the project and they were interested. We actually shot 2 fully days from sunrise to sundown and visited a total of 9 different locations including a swimming pool for an underwater segment, a local old fashioned candy shop, a stage, a beautiful downtown mansion, and others!

The location where we shot this particular image was an old crumbling building in the middle of downtown in a city close to where I live. It was a great spot! The location which was broken, run down, clunky, and well beyond its prime provided such an opposite esthetic to these dancers who were beautiful, elegant, graceful, and at a highlight of their prime.

We set up for this image about an hour before sunset. The light was pretty even at this time of day and the harshness of the sun had gone behind a set of cloud.

It took the dancers several tries to position themselves where they were balanced. I could call out, left foot up a bit more! Right arm more round! Relax your brow! I was so happy to be the one taking the photos! I could not have done their part at all! But they hit their mark, and I hit mine and what we got is what you see.

There are hundreds of photos from my 2 days with this couple that are favorites of mine. But this one is my top favorite. For me, it’s a testament to skill: to their skill, and to mine. I was, and am, still very proud of this project, the time and the effort that they, and I, gave to make it a success. We all had an expertise that we brought to the table, and I believe it culminated here.

-M-