Elegant Portraits Capture the Graceful Movement of Nimble Ballet Dancers

Dancers Photos by Rachel Neville

Dancer: Taylor Yanke

As a former dancer, New York-based photographer Rachel Neville specializes in images that highlight the human body and capture movement. Her penchant for experimenting with motion and her inherent artistic creativity have culminated in an esteemed collection of conceptual dance photographs.

Neville's stylistic approach to dance photography is as distinctive as it is refreshing. Like traditional shots of dancers, her photographs place an emphasis on the expressive movements of the body. What sets Neville's portrayals apart from the others, however, is her highly contemporary and deeply conceptual style, which is “informed as much from her dance history as [it is] from her innate creative vision.”

To highlight her muses' movements, she employs a plethora of props, from flowing fabrics to illustrated abstractions. Similarly, many of the models wear avant-garde ensembles. Though alluring and theatrical, the unique costumes do not divert attention from the figures' bodies and gestures. Rather, they inventively accentuate them through silhouette, color, and even texture.

In addition to exhibiting the undeniably impressive movements, poses, and physiques of her subjects, Neville has another goal in mind when capturing the captivating shots: “to bring [viewers] into the theatre.” By presenting such a visually eclectic and undeniably dynamic collection of photos, the photographer successfully showcases the capabilities of not only the human body, but of the art of dance, too.

You can see more of Neville's stunning shots on her Instagram. Often accompanied by an inspiring quote, each image conveys the photographer's passionate approach to her craft.

Photographer Rachel Neville captures the graceful movements of ballet professionals through her elegant dancers photography.

Professional Dancers Photography by Rachel Neville

Dancer: Taylor Yanke

Professional Dancers Photography by Rachel Neville

Dancer: Nikolas Chen

Dancers Photos by Rachel Neville

Dancer: Kaeli Ware

Professional Dancers Photography by Rachel Neville

Dancer:

Dancers Photos by Rachel Neville

Dancer: Doug Baum

Dancers Photos by Rachel Neville

Dancer: Noelle Lee

Dancers Photos by Rachel Neville

Dancer: Amarachi Korie

Dancers Photos by Rachel Neville

Dancer: Lia Cirio

Dancers Photos by Rachel Neville

Dancer: Emma Schultz

Rachel Neville: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Blog

My Modern Met granted permission to use photos by Rachel Neville.

Kelly Richman-Abdou

Kelly Richman-Abdou was a Contributing Writer at My Modern Met. An art historian living in Paris, Kelly was born and raised in San Francisco and holds a BA in Art History from the University of San Francisco and an MA in Art and Museum Studies from Georgetown University. When she’s not writing, you can find Kelly wandering around Paris, whether she’s leading a tour (as a guide, she has been interviewed by BBC World News America and France 24) or simply taking a stroll with her husband and two tiny daughters.
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