Up on stage, the goal of the professional ballet dancer is to create an image of effortless grace and beauty during each performance. The success of this appearance is a testament to the skill of the dancer and the hours and hours spent backstage, practising until perfection. As a Russian ballet dancer who performs with the Theatre of St. Petersburg, young Darian Volkova offers an insider’s perspective of the exclusive world of ballet by taking captivating photographs in her spare time. Many of her images were taken during the company’s world tours, from Russia, Iceland, and Norway to Germany, Austria, and France. Through her stunning images, Yolkova showcases her fellows during moments of glory on stage, and reveals the behind-the-scenes of rehearsals backstage.
Yolkova lives and breathes ballet, choosing to experiment with photography as a side hobby. Naturally, her photographs provide a glimpse into her environment, revealing a world through a dancer’s eyes. Her shots capture the elegance of her fellow dancers, but also highlight the athletic prowess that allows them to excel in their field. The contortions that they are able to create with their bodies provides the perfect subject matter for the developing photographer, as her models’ amazing mastery of body control presents a stunning spectacle to behold.
