Outdoor Ballet photoshoot

Claire Peoples Interview + Photoshoot

Claire and I got together for 2 photoshoots. One in-studio, and one outdoors.

Claire is not only a talented dancer, but also a very intellectual human. Below are some of my favorite shots from our shoots, as well as an interview with her!

Introduce yourself

My name is Claire and I am a ballet dancer with New Mexico Ballet Company. I am originally from Roswell, Georgia and I have a BFA in Dance from the University of Georgia. I trained in all dance styles growing up, but ballet and contemporary are my favorites. I trained with Boston Dance Theater and Confluence Ballet before moving to New Mexico.

What drives you to dance?

My favorite part of ballet is actually the class and rehearsals. I love working toward something big, whether it be bettering myself and technique, or a performance. In dance you will never achieve perfection, but you can always try to do better than the day before!

What are some ways you feel you’ve changed as a dancer/artist?

I’ve become less self critical, particularly over the last year. Since I dance in a part time company, there is less time to focus on being perfect. I am trying to focus on always getting better, but really making sure I am also enjoying the movement and actually feeling like am dancing the movement. I used to be very self conscious about my training. I am surrounded by people who went to very strict ballet programs, were homeschooled for dance, or went to prestigious schools. But I am proud of where I came from. I was an underdog in many ways and I’ve found a way to enter the ballet world, when I was told by some that it wouldn’t happen for me.

What are 3 facts about you?

-I have a twin sister and an older brother.

-I have a black and white cat named Cow. He was a stray that visited my house for about a year before I brought him inside! He’s one of the best things that has ever happened to me.

-I also have an office job in marketing at a nonprofit in Albuquerque. I do a lot of graphic design projects and edit websites. We help adults with disabilities, and it is a mission that I am proud of.

What’s your favorite way to drink coffee?

Right now I love vanilla lattes! I also love cold brew. I just ordered some fancy syrups so I can feel like it is from a coffee shop even when I’m at home. This hasn’t stopped me though. I still spend a lot of money at coffee shops.

Some people question whether art and politics are connected. What is your take on this?

Art and politics are absolutely connected. A great example of this is what is currently happening at the Kennedy Center. Art is a form of resistance, it holds up a mirror to the ugliest parts of our society. That’s why the current administration wants to have control over what stories are being put out into the public. It’s up to us to continue uplifting artists from marginalized communities and to keep pushing ballet to be a more inclusive and creative space. Making sure our voices are heard. We won’t be silenced.

Do you watch streaming services/or movies? If so, what have you watched lately that you’ve enjoyed?

I love TV shows and movies! I recently binge watched “The Pitt” on HBO. It is a new medical drama. It’s an amazing show.

What are some of your hobbies/passions outside of dance?

I love to do anything creative. Coloring books, painting, and embroidery are some of my favorite ways to creative outside of ballet. I also enjoy finding new music, food, and traveling. I love reading. I got a Kindle last Christmas and I’ve read over 30 books so far in 2025. Emily Henry is my favorite author.

What’s your current favorite food?

Right now I am loving Mediterranean food. It is healthy but it also tastes amazing!

What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?

I can be very shy and quiet. When I was younger, I was put in dance classes to help me come out of my shell.

What advice would you give to your younger self?

I would tell my younger self that it is okay that your dance journey does not look the same as everyone else’s. Every experience that you will have will put you on the path to where you are supposed to end up. I would also tell myself that opinions are not facts. Don’t give someone’s words about your dancing power over how you feel about yourself or dance. Passion will take you farther than anything.

Which fictional character do you see yourself in?

-My favorite TV show of all time is Parks & Recreation. I would like to think that I am like Leslie Knope.

What advice would you give to other artists who might be struggling to find their “voice”?

-Find artists you admire and replicate their processes. Never copy another artist, but you can learn about their processes and try to create something new that is unique to your voice. Surround yourself with art. Read lots of books, listen to new music, go to museums, watch new choreography, and make new friends. Every experience you take in will add to your voice.

You can follow Claire on Instagram here @ClairePeoplesDance

And keep an eye on the Zine for future shoots with her.

-Oliver Endahl

Adeline Wylie - May 2025

A photographer friend of mine, Pat Berrett, and I got together with dancer Adeline Wylie for an outdoor photoshoot in the early morning.

Pat knew of some cool locations in the area and introduced Adeline and myself to this amazing white rock structure, as well as a lovely trail that had a large view of a valley.

Below are my favorite shots from the shoot, as well as a short interview with Adeline.

What’re 2 favorite ballets of yours? (And why are they your favorites?)

As far as classical ballet goes, I love Romeo and Juliet. Juliet has always been one of my dream roles, and the music is so so great. John Neumeier’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream is also super fun and whimsical. My favorite stuff to dance and watch is new mixed rep stuff. My mom would take me to see the Houston Ballet mixed repertory shows with cutting edge contemporary ballet, which really sparked my motivation to become a professional dancer.

What’s your favorite soda flavor?

Root beer and cream soda. Specifically root beer made by breweries or craft soda companies.

What is the role of art in society?

Art is a form of expression and entertainment, but it can also persuade change, foster connection, communication, and education.

I love the way art can produce feelings and different perspectives even if the audience speaks a different language or comes from a different culture.

Also love this quote lately about art: "Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable."

Have you ever boogie boarded backwards?

lol No

What are some of your hobbies/passions outside of dance?

Connecting with nature and people, eating good food, reading fantasy, rock climbing, and making art.

How has your relationship with dance changed through the years?

My love for dance hasn’t changed, but my time focused on it has. Dance used to take up so much of my mental space and energy. It’s still a huge part of my life, but no longer my main measurement of success. Being a dance school director has also opened my eyes to how students should be treated with more encouragement and support. You don’t have to beat someone down to achieve successful.

If you had to eat cold pizza, what would your topping preference be?

Black olives, fresh basil, bell peppers, and ranch.

If you could give your younger self advice, what would it be?

Instead of comparing yourself to dancers around you, absorb and learn from them. I was so hard on myself.

If you could replace any one of the three flavors in Neapolitan ice cream, what would the new flavor be?

Let’s swap the normal chocolate for Ben and Jerries brownie core.

Where do you see the art of ballet going?

It’s hard to say, but I can think of where I would like it to go. Hopefully more diverse in terms of everything. I think we can diversify and expand while still preserving classics.

You can follow Adeline on Instagram at @Addy.Wylie

Till next time,

-Oliver Endahl

2009 Lands End Sutro Bath Ruins Photoshoot

Today we’re going back in time to 2009 to my second photoshoot ever.

Kristina Lind and Myles Thatcher at the Lands End Trail in 2009

Since this was my second shoot ever, I borrowed a Canon 50D camera with a 50mm lens, enlisted my friends who I trained with at the San Francisco Ballet School, and we shot outdoors at the Sutro bath ruins and lands end trail in San Francisco, California.

The canon 50D by the way had 15 megapixels. To put that in perspective, the latest iPhone here in 2025 has 48 megapixels. (Of course, photography isn’t all about the megapixels, but it’s still wild.)

My friends in this shoot are Kristina Lind, Myles Thatcher, Dylan W and Nicole Voris. During this timeframe, we had all recently finished (or were close to finishing) our training at the San Francisco Ballet School. We were all hungry for life and at the start of our professional careers.

This shoot hugely propelled my confidence forward in photography. At the time I was guessing I could create images that entailed high level ballet technique, but on top of that, I also wanted to convey a sense of movement, a sense of whimsy, and a sense of emotion. (All the things I think ballet itself is.)

I’m still a big fan of these images. I can see where my photographic flaws were, but overall, I look at these images with joy. We had a lot of fun creating them and the reception they received at the time was so strong, I recall it hugely motivated me and gave me the confidence that I could actually achieve the photographic goals I wanted to.

What’s also fun when looking at photos from the past is to see where the dance careers of everyone ended up. Kristina Lind danced with the San Francisco Ballet, then Dutch National Ballet and then Bayerisches Staatsballett. (And she is currently a principal dancer there)

Myles Thatcher joined San Francisco Ballet the year of this photoshoot as an apprentice, and he is now a soloist there and a respected choreographer in the dance industry.

Nicole Voris (Who is also my wife as you all know!) Toured with San Francisco Ballet, then danced with Cincinnati Ballet, Ballet Austin, and then danced commercially in Los Angeles. She now does repertoire dance work with our friends who are choreographers, and she also choreographs herself. (She is also an exceptionally talented dance teacher)

Till next time!

-Oliver Endahl

Sofia in SF

Sofia and I have shot together a few times over the years in a variety of states and locations.

This time, we spent the day creating in San Francisco, California.

Isn’t that arabesque crazy?

We started the shoot at Bernal Heights, which offers beautiful views of the city + a nice view of the Sutro Tower (which you can see in the bottom right corner of the image above)

After bernal we headed to the Legion of Honor Museum.

The legion of honor is a popular photo spot in SF because it has a good variety of photogenic locations in the vicinity.

Our last location was Ocean Beach. That evening the weather rolled in some extremely dense fog that created a gorgeous mysterious atmosphere.

This shoot was extremely fun and we got a ton of gorgeous outdoor dance photos.

You can follow Sofia on IG here, and keep an eye on the zine for more photos down the line.

-Oliver Endahl

Jaclyn Younger Trail Photoshoot

Jaclyn Younger and I met up early one morning for a quick photoshoot on a nature trail.

Shooting outdoors is always more challenging for the dancer than shooting indoors, but shooting outdoors in pointe shoes on a twisting tree trunk and is next level.

Always a blast shooting with Jaclyn and I love the work we created on this quick nature shoot that morning.

You can follow Jaclyn on IG here.

Till next time,

-Oliver Endahl