HISD Dance Montage, 2025

Here’s a piece of my heart: I love dance.

I love taking in performances on the stage of the Wortham Center’s stunning Brown Theater—and at Miller Outdoor Theater, which is always cool and breezy after sunset (true story!). I love being in movement at my dance and Pilates classes. And while I danced all throughout my childhood-plus, (thank you Mom & Dad, and thank you to my beloved ballet sponsor), almost no photos exist to document this formative and cherished part of my youth.*

So when my friend Bethany Montgomery invited me to join her in photographing the HISD Dance Montage, I was thrilled! She served as the official photographer of the event, and I supplemented her photo gallery. A big part of the motive for me is corrective from my own experience: these dancers fully devote themselves to the athleticism and artistry of their craft; I want them to have performance photos that reward their hearts and support their memories in a tangible, joyful way.

Here are some of my photos for the day, featuring students in elementary through high school.

*note: the evolution of digital photography makes these action shots much more possible! I can’t imagine burst-shooting a split leap on the film of my teen years. Thanks, Canon!