Stunning Photo Series Spotlights the Graceful Movements of Dancers

An elegant exploration of movement, the NYC Dance Project photographically presents the beauty and grace of dance.

The stunning series began in 2014, when Ken Browar, an esteemed fashion photographer, and Deborah Ory, a lifelong dancer with a background in editorial photography, began shooting contemporary dancers for a personal project. Through word of mouth in the dance community and inspiring success on social media, their photography quickly proved popular, and the NYC Dance Project was born.

In 2015, we interviewed Ken and Deborah to find out more about their artistic endeavor. Touching on everything from their initial inspirations to their theatrical techniques, the conversation offered an in-depth look at their still-new series. When asked about the long-term goals they hoped to accomplish through their project, they excitedly shared that they were “working on putting together a coffee table book of the images and interviews.” Now, just over one year later, that dream has become a reality, as their new book, The Art of Movement, launches in October.

With over 300 pages of content, the glossy hardback features glamorous photographs and intriguing interviews of more than 70 dazzling dancers from around the world—the American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, Martha Graham Dance Company, Alvin Ailey, Royal Danish Ballet, and the Royal Ballet are just some of the prestigious companies represented. Shot both in beaming colors and in brilliant black-and-white, the series spotlights the intrinsically artistic nature of dance. Expertly photographed and directed by Ken and Deborah, each subject appears to dance across the page, striking impossible poses with ease and showcasing the skill, strength, and poise that their passion demands. Beautifully portrayed and masterfully captured, the elegant spreads offer an intimate glimpse into the incredible lives of dancers.

The Art of Movement hits the shelves on October 25. Pre-order the beautiful book here.

Above image: Charlotte Landreau, Soloist, Martha Graham Dance Company

James Whiteside, Principal, American Ballet Theatre