Capture Life’s Moment of Dance
Elements of Style director and choreographer Clarissa Newby-Phillips hired me to document their significant opportunity: her dance piece, "When a Woman Is," performed at New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez's annual Women's History Month Celebrations. This performance honors his mother, Evangelina Menendez, and highlights the remarkable contributions of women to American history.
Dance is more than just movement—it's storytelling in its purest form. Each step, leap, and gesture carries meaning, emotion, and culture. At Davifilmsmedia, I collaborated with the dynamic dance company Elements of Style to capture their performances' beauty, passion, and diversity. This project highlighted the artistry of dance and the importance of using a lens to amplify underrepresented stories and voices.
Dance with Elements of Style
Capturing the movements of my dedicated client, Elements of Style, a dance company that combines artistry with storytelling, was one of the most dynamic projects I have worked on. Their performances are not just choreography but visual narratives of culture and expression.
Clarissa's choreography for the event celebrates women's empowerment and independence, emphasizing that men should not define women. The piece incorporates spoken word excerpts from Amanda Gorman's inspiring speech, "WE RISE," along with Gladys Knight's song "The Need to Be," conveying the essence of womanhood and the importance of representation. My role was to create a lasting record of the dance company’s performance by taking photos and videotaping the event, which was also shared digitally on Senator Bob Menendez's YouTube channel during the (Click on the Link to watch the Dance Performance)12th Annual Evangelina Menendez Women's History Month Celebration.
The goal was to highlight the elegance and emotion behind every movement, ensuring that the dancers' stories resonated with the audience. The attendees were a diverse community of women honored for their impactful contributions in various fields, such as Educators, First Responders, Political Figures , Human Resources, Entertainers, and More. The primary guest of the event was Hillary Clinton, whose work promotes diversity and inclusion across the country. It was amazing to witness that the company’s dance went before Clinton, to introduce her Keynote Address Speech.
Behind the Scenes: The Creative Process
Collaborating with Elements of Style meant embracing their vision while infusing my creative perspective into the project. Here’s how we approached the process:
Choreography and Cinematography Alignment
To ensure that the movements translated beautifully on screen, I worked closely with the choreographer to understand the rhythm and emotional beats of the piece. I attended rehearsals, watching each step come to life and recording in the dance studio. I noted how the choreography aligned with camera angles, which helped us create moments that felt seamless and immersive.
Lighting and Atmosphere
Lighting played a crucial role in highlighting the dancers' movements and expressions. Soft lighting enhanced the elegance of slower sequences, while dramatic shadows and backlighting added depth to faster, high-energy performances. We collaborated with the event's stage team to discuss the best lighting options to complement the piece's themes and work well with the digital camera settings. My camera equipment included a Canon 5D Mark III, a JVC camcorder, and the Power Pro Series.
Capturing Authenticity
My favorite moment was filming the dancers as they let their emotions guide their movements, focusing on the message and theme of Women's Heritage Month, as well as the rhythm and lyrics of the song. This raw authenticity reminded me why storytelling through dance is so powerful—it speaks to universal truths without needing words.
The Power of Dance in Storytelling*
Working with Elements of Style reinforced my belief that dance is a medium that transcends barriers.
Through my work with Elements of Style, I’ve seen firsthand how dance can serve as a powerful tool for storytelling and connection. Every frame of their performances captured on camera is a testament to the beauty of diversity and the impact of authentic representation.
If you’re ready to tell your story—whether through dance, film, or any other medium—let’s create something that inspires and moves others.
