ADVERTISEMENT

DANCERS & DOGS started out as a wildly random idea one day in early 2017. St. Louis based professional photographers Kelly Pratt & Ian Kreidich, a husband-and-wife team who work with the Saint Louis Ballet along with professional dancers around the country, had a vision: "What if we took pictures of ballet dancers, with dogs?"

On paper, it was a strange concept and didn't make sense. Ballet is often seen as stuffy, moody, or unapproachable and dogs are known to be inherently playful, happy, and goofy. However, after photographing their first duo Ericka and Baxter, an English Bulldog, Kelly & Ian fell in love with the concept and launched DANCERS & DOGS, a photo series that would ultimately photograph 100 dancers & 100 dogs in over 10 cities across the country in the span of two and a half years. The stunning pictures demonstrate that you can both bring out the lighter side of dancers while teaching old dogs new tricks.

“DANCERS & DOGS shows the more light-hearted, human side of dancers. The soul of this book is not about the perfection of the dance moves (an idea which can be very hard for ballet dancers!). It’s about being in the moment and experiencing joy. Because those adorable dogs don’t care if you have the highest arabesque, do amazing dance poses, or 32 perfect fouettes. They just love you as you are.” – Kelly Pratt & Ian Kreidich.

Releasing just before Thanksgiving, the final DANCERS & DOGS hardcover book contains over 200 pages of beautiful photos and their favorite behind-the-scenes stories about the project and some of the featured dancers and dogs. A portion of the book’s proceeds will go to Stray Rescue, a St. Louis based non-profit that is currently at capacity and is eager to find homes for loving pets ahead of the holiday season.

More info: dancersanddogs.com | Instagram | Facebook

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
#13

Dancers & Dogs Playfully Share The Spotlight In A New Photography Book

dancersanddogs Report

Add photo comments
POST
greggv avatar
Gregg V
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The dog got stuck and had to released with the jaws of love. ;-)

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
#20

Dancers & Dogs Playfully Share The Spotlight In A New Photography Book

dancersanddogs Report

Add photo comments
POST
annabellhowell avatar
Zelda
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ballerinas are f*****g strong. I practice martial arts, and one of my friends (a ballerina) agreed to spar with me She beat me. She knows no martial arts and she beat me. GUYS.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#21

Dancers & Dogs Playfully Share The Spotlight In A New Photography Book

dancersanddogs Report

Add photo comments
POST
greggv avatar
Gregg V
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Beauty and the Mutt? I can't wait for the spaghetti scene!

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#35

Dancers & Dogs Playfully Share The Spotlight In A New Photography Book

dancersanddogs Report

Add photo comments
POST
tatummuses avatar
Monty Is Fiennes
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No matter what breed they are, no dog should be physically altered for asthetics.....Give dogs their ears.....

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#36

Dancers & Dogs Playfully Share The Spotlight In A New Photography Book

dancersanddogs Report

Add photo comments
POST
snorincats avatar
Kathy Baylis
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you look at the dog’s paws, they’re kind of like a doggie version of the dancer’s hands and feet (maybe not as limber, but still...).

View more commentsArrow down menu
#37

Dancers & Dogs Playfully Share The Spotlight In A New Photography Book

dancersanddogs Report

Add photo comments
POST
be13jansen avatar
Bettina Jansen
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dog is saying "You're not expecting me to do that too, are you ?"

View more commentsArrow down menu
#38

Dancers & Dogs Playfully Share The Spotlight In A New Photography Book

dancersanddogs Report

Add photo comments
POST
kennedy1209 avatar
Matt Kennedy
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not an outtake. Her name is Shelby Williams, aka Biscuit Ballerina. Satire in dance form.

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda