The NYC Dance Project is an initiative designed to showcase the magical world of dance and dancers. It was founded by fashion/beauty photographer Ken Browar and dancer/photographer Deborah Ory, and the beautiful pictures you can see here are taken from a book called The Art of Movement that's soon to be released.

Inspiration for the project came when Ken and Deborah were decorating their daughter's room. They wanted to fill it with pictures of contemporary dance stars (their daughter's an aspiring ballerina), but unable to find many they decided to photograph those dancers themselves. They got in touch with a principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre and asked if they could photograph him. He agreed, word quickly spread, and soon Ken and Deborah had several requests for collaboration from other members of the NYC dance community. Take a look at some of our favorite pictures below. The Art of Movement is released on October 2 and you can pre-order it here.

More info: NYC Dance Project (h/t: mymodernmet)

#4

Dancers

NYC Dance Project Report

Mow
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Look at the strength...gorgeous

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#7

Dancers

NYC Dance Project Report

Penny Cillin
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The yards and yards of silk and organza move so perfectly with the dancers.

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#9

Dancers

NYC Dance Project Report

Penny Cillin
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah, no biggie, I'ma just suspend the laws of physics by suspending myself here in mid-air for a bit.

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#13

Dancers

NYC Dance Project Report

Mow
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Like water... flowing through air

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#15

Dancers

NYC Dance Project Report

Penny Cillin
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Such beauty is almost too much for this mere mortal to bear. The exquisite gown and her soaring height are spectacular.

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#20

Dancers

NYC Dance Project Report

Daria B
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Boy: "Don't fly away from me... I love you!" Girl: "Hold on tight. We'll fly together!"

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#21

Dancers

NYC Dance Project Report

Penny Cillin
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This. Such pain it requires to create such mind-blowing, effortless-appearing beauty.

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#23

Dancers

NYC Dance Project Report

Sarah Garland
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She looks like a wave came to life and started dancing.

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#24

Dancers

NYC Dance Project Report

Penny Cillin
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

*swoooon* The black-banded hem makes this cloud of organza even more marvelous.

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#28

Dancers

NYC Dance Project Report

Amelia Haynes
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This makes me think of a genie who just came out of his lamp ☺️

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#29

Dancers

NYC Dance Project Report

MarieR
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Jewellery box ballerina come to life <3

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#33

Dancers

NYC Dance Project Report

Penny Cillin
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Anyone who believes ballet is frivolous needs to see these photos. The human strength and discipline required to achieve such impossible beauty is mind-blowing. Perhaps the only difference between Olympic athletes and ballet athletes is that these dancers must make it look completely effortless.

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#35

Dancers

NYC Dance Project Report

Penny Cillin
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The power and strength of these athletes of ballet seems superhuman. I could not watch the film the Black Swan because the director had portrayed, especially with sound, the physical pain and brutal impact on the feet that was too visceral, too palpable for this wimp to withstand.

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#37

Dancers

NYC Dance Project Report

Amy Charles
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Stunning lines, grace and angles.

#40

Dancers

NYC Dance Project Report

Penny Cillin
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A glorious cheetah; silent and utterly still before exploding in pure muscled energy.

#43

Dancers

NYC Dance Project Report

#44

Dancers

NYC Dance Project Report

ravyn369
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Blackbird soaring in the dead of night...

#49

Dancers

NYC Dance Project Report

#53

Dancers

NYC Dance Project Report

#54

Dancers

NYC Dance Project Report

Jameykay Huffman
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Can we get some credit for the designer in these photos? Couture dress made by Liz White of LWD Couture http://lizwhitecouture.com/

#55

Dancers

NYC Dance Project Report

#56

Dancers

NYC Dance Project Report

Penny Cillin
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He reminds me of Prince just a bit. Also reminiscent of a Robert Mapplethorpe type of photo. This man's stillness almost makes it feel necessary to whisper while observing.

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#57

Dancers

NYC Dance Project Report

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Dancers