My coach made a comment to me the other day that got me thinking—how does the dancer work I do reflect a deeper intention of my work as a whole?
Does it somehow relate to the themes of leadership, vulnerability, connection, and collaboration?
And, perhaps most importantly, does it support the other work I do?
I’m trying to move away from the "I should write something" mindset back into the "I want to write" column. And this question felt like an invitation to explore exactly that.
Recently, I took some photos of a student at The Rock School of Dance. Last year, I had taken photos of another student from The Rock, and that experience also got me excited about working with dancers. The results were surprising and magnificent, if I do say so myself, (and I do). It was fun to collaborate with other artists and see the work through their eyes. What they focused on was different from what I initially paid attention to—lighting, form, facial expression, focus. They were mainly concerned with form: Were their arms curved enough? Was their head in the correct position? Was their extension high enough?
Meanwhile, I was over here thinking, “Whoa, can I get my legs to do that?” (Spoiler: No. No, I cannot.)
My coach observed that when she compared my CEO portraits to my dancer portraits, it demonstrated my skill and vision as a photographer. The functions of the photos are so different, yet the aesthetic is clearly my eye, my style.
"You are able to capture such subtlety in a real magnetic way. So you could make the argument that it actually strengthens your versatility—within the visual aesthetic you strongly demonstrate."
Grace Under Pressure: The Leadership Parallel
A dancer’s movement may look effortless, but behind that grace is years of rigor, resilience, and an intimate understanding of their body’s capabilities and limitations. It’s the same with leadership. The most effective leaders don’t just act—they refine, they adapt, they push themselves beyond what’s comfortable. They understand that presence isn’t just about being in the room; it’s about occupying space with awareness and purpose. And also, like dancers, they occasionally wipe out spectacularly but get right back up and pretend like that was totally part of the plan.
Photographing the ballerina in motion reminded me of what I seek to capture in my CEO portraits: the moment when someone steps fully into themselves. The instant where their power and vulnerability coexist. A leader’s impact isn’t just about authority; it’s about the ability to be seen, to take risks, and to inspire movement—whether in themselves or others.
The Vulnerability of the Leap
Every time a dancer leaps, there’s a fraction of a second where they are airborne—suspended, vulnerable, completely exposed. That’s the space where transformation happens. In improv, we call it ‘the unknown,’ that moment where you step forward without a safety net, trusting that something will catch you. (Sometimes it’s laughter. Sometimes it’s awkward silence. Both are character-building.)
It’s the same space I invite my clients into, whether through photography or improv retreats. The leap is always vulnerable, but it’s also where the magic lives.
And sometimes, the magic looks like a perfectly timed shot of someone mid-air, looking like they have their life together, when in reality they landed in a heap two seconds later. Art is all about timing.
The deeper intention of my work has always been about supporting the person I am working with so that I can bring out their best, most authentic side. In the past, I did this in advertising—through logo design, poster design, and branding. Now, I do it through photography and improv, helping my clients to channel an idea and express themselves through a photograph or to find their confident voice through improv.
I say this with a straight face: I am a creative alchemist. I even have it on my dating profile. I'm not sure if people always get it, but it's a good way to weed out those close-minded enough to roll their eyes and think it’s silly. But if I truly describe what I do, that’s it. I am a person who transforms or creates something through a seemingly magical process. The magic comes from others—tuning into them, bringing something out of them, and capturing it. Like a wizard, but with better lighting.
Connection and Collaboration: A Dance, A Team, A Portrait
No dancer exists in isolation. Whether performing a pas de deux or moving in sync with an ensemble, they must trust their partners, reading micro-adjustments in movement and energy. In the same way, a cohesive team thrives not on rigid hierarchy, but on an intuitive exchange—a give and take, an attunement to each other’s strengths. My team-building work is about cultivating this very awareness, about helping teams find their rhythm, their shared language of trust and risk-taking. And, just like in dance, if someone falls, the best move is to dramatically roll with it and make it look intentional.
Even in a solo portrait session, collaboration is everything. My best portraits aren’t simply about lighting or composition; they emerge from the invisible dialogue between subject and photographer. It’s about creating an environment where someone feels safe enough to reveal who they are—unfiltered, powerful, fully present. Or, in the case of my improv workshops, safe enough to make a total fool of themselves without regret. Both are vital.
Being photographed is hard. It takes more energy than you realize. For ballerinas, it’s incredibly demanding on the body—holding poses for as long as they can, leaping over and over again. But in the end, the few successful photos are a true expression of their best moment. I need to connect with them, understand what we are looking for, and be ready to capture their moves. The more we are in sync, the better the photographs. This is true no matter who I am photographing.
Why This Matters Across My Work
The ballerina’s dance is a mirror to all the work I do. The discipline of presence. The courage of vulnerability. The necessity of collaboration. Whether I’m working with a CEO who’s reimagining their next chapter, a team leader navigating change, or an ensemble of creatives learning to trust the unknown, the core remains the same.
Leadership, like dance, is an ongoing practice of refinement. It requires both control and surrender, both resilience and fluidity. And my work—whether behind a lens or on an improv stage—is about guiding people into that space of fearless, beautiful, full-bodied expression.
Because the leap is always worth it.
Want to see the magic in action?
Ballerinas in motion: hellogorgeous.nyc/dance
CEOs stepping into their power: hellogorgeous.nyc/photography-for-ceos Teams breaking out of their comfort zones: hellogorgeous.nyc/unleash-your-team-s-potential
If you’re ready to leap—whether into a photoshoot or a fresh way to energize your team—let’s talk. Reach out, and let’s make something extraordinary together. Book a consultation here: hellogorgeous.nyc/btsconsultation
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