Oberon's Grove Photo Shoot

Monday September 6, 2010 - Ever since I started working with Kokyat, I've had this idea of renting a studio, getting a few dancers together, putting on some music and having them dance while Kokyat snaps away. This afternoon we finally got it organized at the Gina Gibney Dance Studios on Broadway. Four of the dancers who came in today - giving up part of their holiday - are people we met thru Amy Marshall Dance Company, either at Amy's Intensives or during her auditions. They are, from left in the above photo: Christine Moloney, Matthew Tiberi, Michelle Puskas and Jamison Goodnight. Christine invited her friend Josiah Guitian (far right) who dances with Jennifer Muller/THE WORKS. Kokyat had photographed Josiah before, at Jennifer's rehearsal.

In the days leading up to this photo shoot, I was kind of a nervous wreck. Now that I had the space and the dancers all committed, what was I going to do with them?  I had some ideas of things I would like to see them doing but no way could I assume to choreograph even a ten-second phrase. I was sure that after a few minutes they would all be standing around wondering why they were not at the beach on this gorgeous summer's day.

I should not have worried: the dancers knew exactly what to do. And Kokyat had looked at some dance images which had inspired him to try a few things. Immediately on entering the studio he found his spot, a sun-drenched corner with a nice play of shadows on the white wall. The dancers were wonderfully willing and within a few moments, they were creating beautiful shapes and poses while Kokyat snapped away.

While one dancer was being photographed, the others (they'd mostly never met each other til today) were trying out other ideas. One thing led to another, the time flew by (with the sound of the Philip Glass score from THE HOURS to inspire) and all too soon it was nearing time to pack up. In the last few moments Koykat asked them to arrange themselves against the wall and execute more jumps. This they did with good-natured assurance; the top image was one of the last of the day (click on it to enlarge). I loved the fact that they all had so much energy still to give, and wished I'd booked another hour of studio time. I have no doubt they would have kept right on going. 

Michelle Puskas

Jamison Goodnight, who has recently joined the Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company.

Josiah Guitian (in the air) and Matt Tiberi

Christine Moloney

The photos here are from the initial batch that Kokyat sent me late at night. There will be many, many more. Now the biggest task facing me will be choosing which pictures will go on the blog, since there are going to be dozens and dozens that I will want to use. They will appear here over the next few days in a series of galleries.

After these beautiful and generous dancers left, I was thinking yet again of how envious I am of the things they are able to do and how wonderful they look doing them. 

Comments

[MarieMusique]

You're right, they ARE beautiful. And excellent work from Kokyat. Bravo again, Oberon!

[JRP]

Kokyat has the knack. The dancers are beautiful and the light is perfect.

[Julia]

I've just come back from a computer-less month in Maine and your blog was the first place I came to this morning. These photos are just lovely.

[Gillian]

Philip,

Your imagination, dedication to dance and your eye for the dancers' individuality have met a perfect accomplice in your photographer. I look forward to seeing more from this session.

Good work!

Always,
G.G.

[photos mariages originales]

Awesome and superb post on photo shoot, i really like this blog.

[Susan]

Your studio project was wonderful. Kokyat's photography met your vision. You chose intuitive dancers. This all made me smile, on a day when I really needed to.

Susan

[Philip]

Thanks, Susan...that's really nice to hear.