California Almond Orchards | Ballerina Session

One year. That’s how long I waited for this shoot. Sounds a little crazy, I know, but I had a vision. Have you ever had an idea or a plan and you know exactly what you want, and anything less than that just isn’t acceptable? That was how I felt about this.

One year ago, I moved to California. Like any frequent social media user does, I began searching local hashtags to find cool things to do. And that’s when I learned about almond blossoms. I had missed the season by less than 3 weeks. Heartbroken. Maybe that’s a little dramatic…but I was so so disappointed. Life is pretty awesome though and doesn’t disappoint in the fact that the seasons always change, so I not so patiently waited for them to come around again.

At some point in that year of waiting, I saw a photograph of a ballerina and fell in love. The essence of elegance and beauty of the human body. I knew that’s what I wanted to photograph. But I was terrified. It was out of my comfort zone. Something I’d never done before. I’m not a dancer and never was. But if you want to live a life you’ve never lived, you have to do things you’ve never done, right? Maybe a little 0ver-philosiphcal (if that’s a thing?)…but I decided to make it happen. Dancers became my passion project. To push me past my fears creatively and mentally. This project has taught me what I love most about photography – that I have the ability to create art with so many awe-inspiring people full of incredible talent.

One year ago, as I was scrolling the Instagram hashtags, I never would have dreamed that I would shoot a ballerina in these rolling white orchards. Life is funny that way. Your plans and visions can change and unfold into things you never imagined, but often times things that go way beyond your expectations. If you have a passion project you’ve been fearfully dreaming about, don’t let it hide in a box shoved in a corner. It’s so worth it to see it come to life!

Do you have a passion project? Are there any fears holding you back? Tell me about it in the comments!

Dancer: Emmy Bucher