A few days ago I headed up to Laguna Beach to do Cat & Dex’s engagement session at Crescent Beach. It’s such a nice little beach! Houses are all lined up along the beach with stairs coming down from their backyards. Not too far off from some places in Leucadia/Encinitas. :)
Seriously, can these two be anymore fun?! (End Chandler voice here) I had a blast with them, playing and exploring on the rocks, laughing and enjoying the beautiful weather. They’re such positive people that you just can’t help wanting to be around their smiling faces all day and smile with them! I can’t wait for the wedding in September, guys! :)
Dex seriously LOVED this pose… he even yelled it out!
The silence of the audience, waiting for you to go on. The dull and distant sounding hum of the children performers yelling and squealing backstage. Your hands are clammy and the curtain hangs red in front of you. Head down, with your heart beating out of your chest and a constant voice in your head saying “Don’t think about it… don’t think about it…” A great sweeping motion and lights are on your face. Cue music, and you take your first step.
For those in the know, know I am a huge lover of dance. The movement, the grace, the excitement and emotion. Your frustrations of the day, you joys and emotions, can all be wrapped up and thrown into your movement of dancing. You can feel like you’re flying, light as a feather, or with the earth, rooted and deep. I’ve always loved dancing, performing, and I did it often growing up. After college, I left no more room for dancing, and opened up wholly to photography. I don’t regret photography one bit, but I did miss dancing. Blame it on So You Think You Can Dance, blame it on watching others do it, and me, yearning to be one of them. I missed the stage. So I made a promise to myself last year – I would dance again. And really dance again.
I joined a dance studio nearby called North County Dance Arts and danced once or twice a week, preparing for what would be a revisit to my youth. I loved dance, and it loved me back – it kept me fit, and I had another creative outlet.
Last Saturday I got to try on my jazz shoes again, so to speak, and performed on stage at the studio’s yearly recital. And let me tell you, it was a BLAST. Cheered on by friends and loved ones, and letting go of everything on stage is a beautiful feeling. Crazy! But beautiful. :) During the evening performance, I was able to take photos backstage, and get another view of the talented performers. It’s a whole different world backstage, and I loved photographing it. I hope to do it again soon!
Up next
Louis, the head honcho, doing a singing number
Pre-dance – how adorable!
Tap duet
They did Janet Jackson :)
During the rehearsal, I was able to take a few photos too.
And the one you’ve all been waiting for…..!
I look like such a dork! No? :)
This whole thing was a wonderful experience and I want to do it again next year :) Photography will still be my one true love, but dance is a very close second. :) Plus, I throughly enjoyed taking photos backstage, maybe I’ll get more into dance photography. :)
Thank you SO much to Nikki, who took the photos of me, and to EVERYONE who came! I really appreciate it and I felt very loved. :) Norma from NR3 Video Productions came and videotaped it, so once I get my hands on that, I’ll post the video :)
