Little ballerinas

My favorite assignments involve people doing things. Then I can show up and try to capture what is happening as unobtrusively as possible. I love moving through an event searching for moments or gestures, interactions and activity that will tell the story.

Recently, on a trip to South Africa, I had an assignment to photograph a free ballet academy for poor children. The class was held in a large community center. High windows cast unpleasant hot spots (too much light) across the floor – but soon the little ones appeared in their pink leotards and ballet shoes, and I knew I was in for a treat. They started stretching as class began, and wonderful moments happened all around me. Suddenly, as I turned to my left, the two little girls pictured, stretching in this unusual and adorable way, filled my viewfinder. I clicked and caught them forever.

This is one of my favorite photos from a visually rich journey through Africa.