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... on my way to the office.
So I came to New York this weekend to photograph a wedding. I knew the YAGP Finals were this weekend in New York City -- but c'mon, who is to think that the hotel that my clients decided to use for their wedding party, and thus for me as well, would be the hotel that a lot of the YAGP Finals dancers were at? The YAGP Finals, by the way, are for the dancers who have won their YAGP region, and come from all over the world. In other words, they are the best of the best young dancers.
So when I walked into the hotel on Friday around noon and realized what was going on, I knew I had to do something. I'm a pretty introverted guy. I'm not really into just approaching people and asking if they'll do a shoot with me -- especially when they are young girls and I'm some old guy with a camera. But I knew if I didn't do anything, I wasn't going to get a shoot with these amazing dancers. So I went for it, talking to moms, and on the third one, I saw the little girl's eyes light up when I offered to do a shoot. Mom didn't want to do it. The light was perfect outside, almost sunset, in the upper 60s, absolutely perfect time to shoot. I told them to talk and I'd walk away so they could talk in private, but I did say we could do this in 15 minutes.
She came back to me, asked to see my website, so I led her to my Instagram account and fortunately, she was pretty impressed. We went out for 12 minutes onto the resort's golf course. There was a wooden bridge I really wanted to get a shot on. It was so cool working with a girl so young and talented. The following four images are what we got out of 12 minutes.
I'm amazed that it only took 20 minutes. If that were my daughter #2 and #4 would be printed large! Well, Probably all four of them but 2 and 4 are my favorites.
Thanks, guys! 2 and 4 are my faves as well, although 1 and 3 aren't that far behind. It's been awhile since I've worked with a dancer that talented. By the way, just checked my times. From the first shot to the last shot was 12 minutes, and easily 6 of those minutes were wasted waiting for golfers to tee off next to the bridge.
friscoron wrote:
Thanks, guys! 2 and 4 are my faves as well, although 1 and 3 aren't that far behind. It's been awhile since I've worked with a dancer that talented. By the way, just checked my times. From the first shot to the last shot was 12 minutes, and easily 6 of those minutes were wasted waiting for golfers to tee off next to the bridge.
That's even more amazing and shows just how talented you both are.
By the way, my 9 year old ballerina loves the shots too. She knew about YAGP but I did not. We spent a little time together watching some of the YAGP videos on YouTube today. She says she will be going to compete .
That's pretty cool! The YAGP Finals are absolutely the best of the best. If you're girl works hard at it, she can do it too! (And then you'll need to let me borrow her for a photo shoot!)
Mar73 wrote:
That's even more amazing and shows just how talented you both are.
By the way, my 9 year old ballerina loves the shots too. She knew about YAGP but I did not. We spent a little time together watching some of the YAGP videos on YouTube today. She says she will be going to compete .
Ron my friend I have always said your sense of timing was incredible and obviously I was right. These are fantastic and lucky you and lucky her. I hope there are more. Congrats buddy.
davenfl wrote:
Ron my friend I have always said your sense of timing was incredible and obviously I was right. These are fantastic and lucky you and lucky her. I hope there are more. Congrats buddy.
Dave
Thanks so much, Dave! Pretty fun to shoot someone this good!
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