Capturing Grace and Elegance of Ballet Dancers on City Streets Around the World

City Photography Dance Photography

We often think of dancers as performing just for the stage, but their awe-inspiring moves bring a fresh new perspective when brought to the city streets. Photographer Melika Dez travels the world to capture ballerinas (and ballerinos) among monuments and skyscrapers, as they twist and contort their bodies into graceful movements that complement the surrounding landscape.

In front of iconic sights like the skyline of Manhattan, the dancers are dressed in plain clothes and often sans ballet shoes. In doing this, they cloak their talents from the rest of the world—clad in jeans and a t-shirt, they look like anyone else. Then suddenly, their incredible athleticism erupts on the steps of the subway or in the middle of a bustling intersection. It brings a lively addition to an otherwise ordinary scene and represents the essence of why people love living in metropolises—anything can happen, including these amazing artistic expressions.

Dez’s series of dancers is ongoing. Follow along with her beautiful modern dance photography through Instagram.

Melika Dez captures modern dance photography that has performers showcasing their incredible moves on city streets around the world.

Shooting Dance Photography

Shooting Dance Photography by Melika Dez

Shooting Dance Photography by Melika Dez

City Photography Dance Photography

Shooting Dance Photography

Shooting Dance Photography

Shooting Dance Photography

Shooting Dance Photography

City Photography Dance Photography

City Photography Dance Photography

Modern Dance Photography Melika Dez

Modern Dance Photography Melika Dez

Modern Dance Photography Melika Dez

City Photography Dance Photography

Modern Dance Photography Melika Dez

Modern Dance Photography Melika Dez

City Photography Dance Photography

City Photography Dance Photography

Modern Dance Photography Melika Dez

Melika Dez: Website | Facebook | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to use photos by Melika Dez.

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Sara Barnes

Sara Barnes is a Staff Editor at My Modern Met, Manager of My Modern Met Store, and co-host of the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast. As an illustrator and writer living in Seattle, she chronicles illustration, embroidery, and beyond through her blog Brown Paper Bag and Instagram @brwnpaperbag. She wrote a book about embroidery artist Sarah K. Benning titled "Embroidered Life" that was published by Chronicle Books in 2019. Sara is a graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art. She earned her BFA in Illustration in 2008 and MFA in Illustration Practice in 2013.
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