Kaylin Horgan and her dancers are at it again!

Posted on February 15, 2013 by Nate Powers

This week I ventured over to the Pittsburgh Center of Arts to catch up with Kaylin as her project rehearses The Only Way Up is Down…Pt II. This production is moving right along and will be a continuation from the first performance. If you were some of the local lucky audience members, you know how amazing the production was and it only gets better. She has added some new dancers to the mix updating her cast and pushing the level beyond greatness.

We caught up with her to update her headshots of the cast and bring some more shots of the dancers for promotions. With the lovely assistance of my girlfriend, Chelsea, we setup a three light setup to really add drama to the cast. This is always fun to work with dancers and have them work through their routines until I have found the pose and lighting that works best from drama. These dancers are a great group to work with and I hope you are able to come out to the show March 10th, 2013. First show at 5pm-630 then a brief cocktail hour and the second show starts at 8pm. This show is going to blow your mind and I cant wait to personally watch the dancers and choreography develop in the coming weeks. Until then, Enjoy these portraits from yesterday :D
_MG_9631

_MG_9626

_MG_9663

Photo by : Chelsea Lucas

(138)

Taylor & Alyssa Dance Photoshoot

Posted on February 7, 2013 by Nate Powers

Today I found myself back in the studio again. BOY DOES IT FEEL GOOD! I miss experimenting, and tweaking with lighting and settings. I missed working with dancers with such incredible talent and I felt it bottling up.

Taylor came to me needing to update her headshots and actions portraits due to an audition this month. I have worked with Taylor before and always a pleasure to help her out. Alyssa is a friend of Taylor’s and needing the same update so we booked the studio and set out to create simple headshots for the auditions and create some fantastic images that not only captivate the audience but also showcase the dancers strength, extensions and style.

This shoot went by so fast and before we knew it, it was over. One thing I noticed was that we never got to shoot my traditional dance portrait where I dance with my dancers. There just wasn’t enough time. Do I enjoy doing this? YES! I love having a blast during shoots and to add a touch of spunk to my shoots that my dancers will remember. HOWEVER seeing that this is the SAME taylor that made me Martha Graham Plead ( ) during our last shoot that left my abs sore fore days after, I cant say I wasn’t relieved at the same time.

Stay tuned for the teaser images on Nate Powers Photography on Facebook!

(97)

Spring Ballet Shoot Concept

Posted on January 12, 2013 by Nate Powers

It is no shock to many of you that I endure countless hours of logistical planning and organizing of props, costumes, and casting my talent. Some of my larger projects have required over 70 hours of planning alone. In Photography, logistics and planning play key roles. Scouting the location, finding that perfect angle, which lens shall I use? Whom should I cast for this role(s)?

During the winter months, I dont shoot a lot as dancers in the cold temperatures of Pittsburgh, PA can cause a significant amount of safety concerns. There’s ice, snow and debris to look out for. Muscles get tight and athletes get injured more frequent in the cold. Then there’s the reason I just don’t want to be cold and working. I am not opposed to shooting in the cold if I must but If there is a choice, I shoot studio work more in the winter time.

My latest project I have been working on is a collaboration with two other artists. We have appropriately dubbed the project “Operation Trinity”. With a Photography, Graphic Design and Industrial Design major all onboard, this project is truly becoming a great project. We plan on unveiling this to the world when its all done. Until then its all hush hush (Even my Girlfriend doesn’t know).

SO What can I tell you? Well, I have had a concept brewing in my brain for sometime and its about time we make this come to life. Imagine a rowboat on a small stream in the woods of PA. Loaded with vintage suitcases filled with wardrobe, the rower struggling to make his way down the waterway. At the bow of the boat, a ballerina, on pointe, with a lace umbrella. Gracefully dancing in the breeze.

So the question I present; Who out there is daring enough to be our ballerina of the woods? Do you have access to a row boat? Do you know a nice tree covered Creek or Stream? If so, I want to hear from you. Let’s collaborate and create some magic Pittsburgh!

-Nate

(Not my images, 5 min Photo composite only for reference) BalletStreamShoot (714)

Time for an update

Posted on January 7, 2013 by Nate Powers

Hello everyone,

I wanted to update the blog even though we are undergoing a revamp of the site. As many of you know I have graduated and have had a great year since. I have been published in the Pittsburgh Post Gazzette for an article about Big Chief Jeans by designer James Houk. It was a lovely shoot at the rustic Carrie Furnace. Té location is an abandoned steel mill that has since been made a historical site and currently under renovations to keep it up and get it safe for public to roam.

Also I received notice that one of my images was chosen for a student showcase at the Point Park University this past fall. It was a great shoot and wonderful to work with Pittsburgh Playhouse staff and Dept. Chair of the Dance Dept. at PPU, Susan Stowe.

Also in December, I was fortunate enough for to work with Elaine Healy, an Art Institute of Pittsburgh alumn as well. She had a fashion show with her line as well as four other designers. It was great to see fashion was not dead in the Pittsburgh area.

I finished out the year with a huge collaboration with Kaylin Horgan. Many of you may remember Kaylin from my 360 project and my senior thesis book. She has launches a new series of work to bring performing arts and visual arts together and thriving in this city. I was honored to have a gallery at the event but my involvement was a bit more deeper then that. I watched this progression of choreography and her team shine weekly during updates new shot a few times for promo material and then came performance night.

What most people don’t see is that dancers have a few more important rehearsals they must perform at. Theres the Tech rehearsal ( laying out lighting design and cues) and the full dress rehearsal. These are my favorites because I get to see the development of the pieces and during the full dress, I get to shoot them without interrupting the audience while in their costumes and lighting.

The timing of our event for kaylin’s performance didn’t allow time for either of these rehearsals. Yet the audience had no idea these dancers, no, these professionals were cueing and finding the lights as the went. It shows the talent of an artist that can simply go with the flow and get the job done.

Over all the amount of talent I am very fortunate to work with astounds me with every time I pick up my camera. Their motivation, dedication and drives makes me perform to the best that I can. After all, no one wants to be the guy who ruins the images of a long process and the end result no looking good.

The website should be launching by the end of January of 2013. I have been researching the best ways to bring you my work while keeping it clean and less cluttered. I look forward to the new year and new clients and projects. Thank you for your continued support. Happy New Years.

- Nate

(168)

Texture Contemporary Ballet – Blur- New Hazlett Theater, July 22nd

Posted on July 23, 2012 by Nate Powers

What an amazing company and talented dancers. I had the opportunity to meet Alan and Kelsey, the dynamic minds and Artistic Directors of Texture today. Their performances were performed at the New Hazlett Theater on the North Side. IF you have never been to a show there, the performance stage is not raised…often presenting the dancers mere feet of the audience. This intimate stage space I knew would bring challenges for photography while there was an audience. Nonetheless, we were able to capture some amazing images and we hope they bring justice to Alan, Kelsey and the rest of the Texture cast.

Here are a few samples.

More Images are posted under Performance Portfolios, Blur (225)

Vacation

Posted on June 19, 2012 by Nate Powers

Hello everyone,

Sorry to be distant. A few updates. I displayed my portfolio at the Heinz field review and won best in show for photography. I graduated with my bachelors of science in photography. And I have been shooting all while on vacation. I have three shoots planned here. Two are with a local model and the third is a fisherman portrait Thursday am. There is no wifi here so stay tuned for the edits. Until then here are some Instagram images.

-Nate

(96)

Art Institute of Pittsburgh – Portfolio Review

Posted on June 4, 2012 by Nate Powers

Hello fans,

As you have all known, I have been studying my butt off at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh for my Bachelor’s degree in Photography. I have such a passion for this industry and my love for dance. There is a huge event that students look towards at the end of their journey here at the school and one of them is called the Portfolio Review. This quarter the review is being hosted at the amazing venue Heinz Field. It is open to the general public from 2-4pm and free admission. We set up booths and display our work for employers and general public to show what our education has done with us creatively.

This is a great opportunity to show my support and appreciation for my clients and dancers who have been a tremendous help in the past years. I honestly would not be here without the help of you, my fans. I have pushed through quarters, some with as many as 6 classes, and its time to come to another journey.

While my education will continue in a few years as I search for Grad schools to get my masters in photography, I am going to be assisting and freelancing in the area.

It would mean a lot to me if you would all show up to the review and show your continued support for my photography and visions. I have goody bags for my dancers that have been crucial for my success. If you are one of them, Then you definitely should show up and get one..Curious as to whats inside? Here are a few photos for you:D Here is the link to RSVP for free http://aiportfolioshow.com/Pittsburgh/

(116)

Jada- Fashion / Dance shoot

Posted on May 22, 2012 by Nate Powers

This weekend was truly amazing for portraits. Jada agreed and we set off to shoot on sunday around noon. We waited around for a building to block some of our sunlight and Im glad we did. With the help of Andrew, a classmate, we got the lighting just where we wanted.

We found this fountain that is part of the Pittsburgh Harvard Yale Private Club Historical site and decided it was a fitting background. With Jada being a dance major and having brought a variety of shoes to play with, we shot mostly on Pointe shoes. Whats astonishing is that even though this girl rocked them, she is no ballerina. She enjoys the jazz side of dance and yet she pulled these off flawlessly. What a trooper. We had her on point on the edge of the fountain for a few shots and she did not hesitate. This girl is going to be a force to watch out for!

It was a great shoot and as tradition. Here is the Instagram shot :D Enjoy the photographs over at Dance Portraits.

(89)

Point Park Photoshoot

Posted on May 9, 2012 by Nate Powers

So many of you might have heard that I recently began working with Point Park in helping them for their images of the dance program. Last night I had the privilege to work with Susan Stowe, the Chair of the Dance Department, and a great dancer Paulette Lewis of Point Park. We created some amazing images and lines for upcoming publications hopefully.

I knew that I wanted to create some amazing images while utilizing the theatrical stage lighting as well. For a majority of our shoot I shot with a medium octobox boomed overhead as a key light. This provided a nice soft light while allowing us to light her entire body in a spot lighting effect. To bring out the edges of her lines, I used two medium soft boxes with grids on them to focus the light directly onto her. These created a nice thin line of highlights against shadows allowing her body to still show the form. These soft boxes were on floor stands and small pole attachments as most of the work we were doing involved ground work.

Paulette was amazing. While she had to hold poses over and over again that I would never dream of holding or even attempting, she maintained a great worth ethic. With Susan directing Paulette on technical form and visual appearance it really made the shoot go more smoothly. I was shooting tethered to a laptop so that Susan and Paulette could see what was looking great and what needed moving with the lighting and power levels.

Here are some images and a quick video from the shoot from my assistant Dustin Yonish, My assistant for the evening. You can visit his work here : Dustin Yonish

Behind the Scenes Video

(66)

Perception – Point Park University Performance at New Hazlett Theater

Posted on May 5, 2012 by Nate Powers

Well, today I was fortunate to work with more graduating seniors of Point Park University and other artists for the performance choreographed by Alyson Laury, a graduating senior whom received a Grant last year for her amazing work. She wanted to work with a non-profit and return the money back into the community and what better way then donating all the proceeds from the performances to The Make-A-Wish Foundation in Pittsburgh. Although the performance night is now over, you can still donate by visiting here. The performance was very high energy and great dynamics to the performance. Here are some images from the performance. More to be posted in the Performance section of Galleries.

-Nate (90)