The art of capturing dance through photography requires extreme talent – and how lucky are we here at Orlando Ballet that we have one of our own company dancers to help us create the images that capture the attention of thousands of people. That dancer is Israel Zavaleta Escobedo (@zavescophotography) and we were lucky enough to get an interview with him about what it takes to be one of the photographers for a professional ballet company!
- How does being a dancer help you photograph other dancers?
Being a professional dancer helps me with photography because I know when the best moments of a dancer will happen. I feel it in my body and also I can understand the best angels for every dancer.
- How did you learn photography?
Everything started with my camera phone, then I was able to buy a used camera. Thankfully I had a friend that helped me to experiment with that camera! YouTube was a great application where I was able to learn a lot.
- How much work goes into learning how to take a great photo?
For me I think everything is about teamwork, you have to talk with the dancers and work together so we can get the best from both of us and shoot it!
- What was your favorite show to shoot for the 22/23 season?
My favorite definitely was Dracula, the makeup and the costumes are beautiful also the dancers were really into their characters and everything felt so real.
- When you retire from dancing, do you think you will take up photography full time?
I would love to be a Choreographer or Ballet Master when I retire, but photography will be always on my side because I see it more as a passion.
- Why is it important for a photographer to have knowledge of dance when they are shooting dancers?
Is important because you know the best moments you can capture, you know when you don’t get the full power of the jump or you don’t get the best part of any movement, and also is everything about the finding the angles for the dancers to make them look the best they are.
- Anything else?
I am very thankful to Orlando Ballet for giving me the opportunity to do the season photoshoot and I’m excited to see the work we did together!
You will be able to see his work on all of our upcoming 22/23 season branding!
