A few weeks ago my friends Nicole and Natale called me because they needed some portraits done. But not just any type of portraits. Nicole and Natale are Flamenco dancers and sisters. It was such a unique and enjoyable experience to work with them and I am so excited with the way the photos turned out. They performed last weekend in Santa Monica and I was invited to attend. It was an absolutely beautiful performance, and I was so honored, because their dance instructor Yolanda Arroyo, put the portraits on display in the lobby of the venue for all to see.
Flamenco is such a passionate and dramatic dance with sharp vigourous movements, clapping of hands and stomping of feet, traditionally performed in the company of acoustic guitar music and a spanish vocalist. Its something that is not so much viewed and heard as it is felt. You have to experience it to understand it. It’s beautiful! It was a lot of fun to photograph.
I never once posed them, because I wanted to be sure to capture the movement of their dresses as they danced. Nicole and Natale were so cooperative, which was great because it gave me free reign to use some pretty creative lighting techniques. I really tried hard to express the dramatic mood that I think is at the heart of Flamenco dancing.
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Aaron, you are a true talent. Thank you for the experience, the time, and your patience. The results were so much more than I could have ever expected or thought possible. You are a gem!
OMG. Thank you soo much for your wonderful comments. But you should really pat yourself on the back. I so appreciate you taking the time to take these absolutely beautiful pictures. In my best dreams I didn’t think we could look this great. You made that night so easy and FUN with all of your great ideas and PATIENCE. Thank you Thank you again!
Muchos abrazos y besos!
Dude, these are awesome!!! Love the editing on them.
The lighting variety is really nice.
You did such an amazing job!!! The photos not only captured their beauty but their love and passion for the art of Flamenco. I was so stunned by the pictures I actually dropped a few tears (emotional day I suppose), I guess the tears expressed what my words couldn’t. You are extremely talented.
Thank you very very much!
Dude, these came out great! We need to do a joint studio shoot one of these days. I just got some new lights with grids for even more control, let’s do it!
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