There’s just something about the St. Louis Art Museum that I adore. Perhaps it’s the stunning, regal architecture. Or it could be the fantastic view of Art Hill and Forest Park. SLAM also is a free museum! Having lived in Chicago for the last 5 years of my life, remembering that several attractions in St. Louis are completely free general admission is a mind boggling concept for me. Check out 16 free attractions in St. Louis here!

My dance session with Jeanie without a doubt lived up to the expectation of photographing on the art museum’s campus.

Jeanie is a beautiful, versatile, technical powerhouse of a dancer who is a fellow company member in Ashleyliane Dance Company here in St. Louis. She grew up dancing and competing and currently studies at Lindenwood University.

During our session together, Jeanie and I began on the front steps of the St. Louis Art Museum. Two of my biggest influences in my photography are movement and architecture, so this combo was right up my alley. The main building of the St. Louis Art Museum was opened in 1904, architecture by Cass Gilbert*. One of my favorite parts about this portion of the session was Jeanie’s movements reflected the sculpted people above the doors of the building. Her subtleties and vulnerability paired so beautifully with the stone facade.

The second portion of our session was just beyond the the East Building at an outdoor gravel area consisting of metal squares. If I were to guess, they were a series of bike racks with a lovely design element. Funny how even everyday items can be thoughtfully and uniquely designed! Wanting to showcase Jeanie’s versatility, we went with a more intense, sporty look and worked with more angular movements.

In the third and final segment of our session, we were wanting to capture the ever-fleeting moment of autumn. Overlooking Art Hill and the Grand Basin is a tree-lined path and in early November, the leaves are peak color and quickly falling off the trees. The day we shot was a tad windy in bursts, so we would wait for a gust of wind to blow the leaves sideways. We captured some stunning moments of Jeanie dancing in this raining of autumn leaves and I simply cannot get enough of it.

I look back on this day and can’t help but be immensely grateful to be able to capture the beauty of dance through photography.

Wanting to check out more dance sessions? Take a look at these: Dance Session at Chicago Chinatown Mural, Dance Session at The Muny in St. Louis, Bollywood Dance Session in Lincoln Park Chicago