NYC Dance Project: How two photographers capture the beauty in movement

Charlotte Landreau, Soloist, Martha Graham Dance Company. © Ken Browar and Deborah Ory

New York City-based photographers Deborah Ory and Ken Browar have spent the past two and a half years creating images of today's most influential dancers in their home studio. A project that began in a quest to make photographs to decorate their daughter's bedroom quickly became a long-term endeavor to capture the beauty of movement. This self-funded project, fueled by their passion for photography and dance, resulted in the team's first book: The Art of Movement—a beautiful, award-winning 300 page compilation featuring photographs of more than 70 dancers from the world's leading companies including American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, Royal Danish Ballet, among many others.

Ory, who started dancing when she was 7, began her photography career photographing rehearsals when a dance injury prevented her from performing. She has shot editorial for magazines including Self, Martha Stewart Living and Real Simple and served as photo editor for House and Garden and Mirabella.

Fashion and beauty photographer Browar began his career in Paris, with work published in some of the leading fashion magazines in Europe and the U.S. including Vogue, Elle and Marie Claire. Browar's interest in dance began when he photographed dancers for the Paris Opera Ballet.

Together their NYC Dance Project has been featured in numerous magazines ranging from Harper's Bazaar to Vogue Italia.

For behind the scenes insight into the project, you can read our Q&A with this talented team. Be sure to scroll through the gallery to see some of the images from the project.

The book can be purchased here. Follow NYC Dance Project on Facebook and Instagram And if you're in New York City, check out these events celebrating the book:

November 7 - ABT Jr Council Book Launch – A cocktail party and book signing; many of the ABT dancers will be there. More info and tickets

November 10 - Barnes and Noble Book Signing - 7pm - 150 East 86th Street, New York City. A book signing and Q&A. Ory and Bowar will be joined by Martha Graham Principal dancers, Lloyd Knight and Masha Dashkina Maddux (the dancer on the cover). More info here

‪November 30, 2016 - Martha Graham Dance Company Studio Series - 7pm. Ory and Browar will be having a discussion with Artistic Director, Janet Eilber. Members of the Martha Graham Company will be performing and there will be a chance to take photographs of the dancers. Reserve your tickets here

December 8, 2016 - Rizzoli Bookstore - 6-8pm. 1133 Broadway, New York City. There will be drinks and a launch party to celebrate the book as well as a panel discussion with Ory, Browar and the dancers.‬‬‬ rizzolibookstore.com

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