Why We Do What We Do.

"That music that you hear inside of you urging you to take risks and follow your dreams is your intuitive connection to the purpose in your heart since birth.

Be enthusiastic about all that you do. Have that passion with the awareness that the word enthusiasm literally means "the God (enthos) within (iasm)." Don't die with your music still in you."

-Wayne Dyer

A long time ago I decided that the only person that could tell me what was right for me was me. I stopped listening to what others were telling me I should be doing and I turned inward and started listening to the things that my heart was crying out for. I started creating and capturing things simply because it made me happy. No one was paying or asking me to do it, I did it simply because I found that there was something in me that I needed to get out and share with the world.  Little did I know I was fine tuning the skills that I feel are part of my purpose for being put on this big blue dot.

I have always been one of those people who march to their own drum, and am comfortable enough in my own skin to set out and conquer whatever dream I desire. I know that even though I am far from rail thin, or the cover girl for what society projects on us as "perfection" but that I am beautiful because of the things that are unique to me.  Since I so easily am able to find the beauty in my own soul, I am always looking for the beauty in others and it is never really hard to see. Yet so many people have trouble finding this quality in themselves.  

Not to long ago my friend and fellow photographer were discussing what we like to shoot.  I told him while I love shooting nature and architecture it doesn't really inspire me unless I am someplace new, which is hard for me to find without traveling. The next thing I was about to tell him would blow his mind since he would moments later declare is distaste for shooting Homo Sapiens. "I love shooting people". He looked at me side ways and asked why. I just smiled back at him and explained,  "I love shooting people in an unexpected state to show them just how amazing and or beautiful they are when they think no one is looking for it.  I don't really enjoy posed portrait photography, perhaps it because I don't know how to coach people to look comfortable in unnatural positions (which I am working on because their is no way around it for things like weddings and family pictures). I prefer to capture free range humans in their natural wild state with no photo shopping out "imperfections" on the subject."  It was in that moment there explaining to him that I knew I was on a correct life path. That even if I don't ever make a ton or any money from doing it that I have a gift for seeing the beauty and raw synergy between a subject and it's surroundings while things are in motion.

I am motivated by a lot of things but mostly music, which is probably why I love shooting dancers so much. Music motivates me a lot it's as if I can see sound and most of my paintings and drawings are visions that come to me while I listen to music. Over the last year I have had the honor of shooting several pole dance showcases and while it has had no financial return it has made my life very rich to see others get to see the beauty the audience experiences when they take the stage.  The other night at the dress rehearsal for Vertical Fusion's Glambition showcase I was pleasantly surprised to hear one of the performers describe in her bio what dance means to her in a very similar way I have identified with lyrics from a DJ shadow song in regards to music, vision, and the arts.

"And I would like to able to continue
To let what is inside of me
Which is, which comes from all the music that I hear
I would like for that to come out
And it's like, it's not really me that's coming out
The music's coming through me"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32X-ieCav-M (Building Steam From a Grain of Salt take a listen as you read on)

Her words were much more eloquent said but it shared the same sentiment. I had always felt that way about dance but it was there sitting with a camera in my hand that I realized it was the same reason I invest the hours of work I do into showcase photographs. When I pick up the camera I feel it's as if the divine has turned my heart into a mirror only shinning back the beauty and passion I see in the individuals around me.

I don't ever really talk about my work or why I select the images I do which is something I am hoping to change with this blog. After all photos are worth a thousand words and it's not just about the image but the memory and feeling they invoke.  Below you will find my favorite photo from each dancer and what I love about watching them dance. 

This First photo is actually from the dress rehearsal. I had to add a bunch of rainbow colored sparkles to this shot because if you have ever met "Kimber Love" you know this girls spirit is so bright she could light up a room in the dark. She is so happy and free spirited it's certainly something that comes through when she dances. If dynamite comes in small this girl is a glitter bomb rainbows kitties and amazing strength. 

The second number of the night was a dark number depicting domestic violence to Rihanna and Eminem's Love The Way You lie. They did a very good job of making you fell the tension of a relationship suffering from abuse. I thought the lighting and choreography during this part of the song really emphasized how alone an individual can feel as a couple when one or both people are abusive towards each other.

The lovely Lisa whom will melt your heart by knitting a sweater around it is returning to the stage this year after a 20 year absence. She was a gymnast once upon a time and it really shows in her movement. She is fluid and finishes her long beautiful lines with precision and style. Plus she take the award for my favorite bio for mentioning how "her husband finds her pole dancing much more fascinating then her knitting." 

This is another shot from dress rehearsal but it's the best one of what I loved about her number. She danced to Breathe of Life by Florence and the Machine which is a song that goes from super intense to soft and dreaming from movement to movement. Her musicality and expression were theatricality was phenomenal.  I was blown away to learn that she had never studied dance at all prior to pole. She started crouched in a ball and sprung to her feet with a gaze so intense and powerful I heard someone behind me go whoa which was the same exact thing I thought 10 seconds into her music at dress rehearsal. I can't wait to see what she does next.

This lovely dish is a soccer, athlete extraordinaire, but when she takes off her cleats she likes to strap on 6 inch stilettos and pasties so she can give you a show. She is one of the nicest people and game for anything. When I asked her if she minded me posting pictures of her ass on my photography pages she said "Share away!!! My booty is fair game!! I'm not bashful." It made me think of the Donna Pinciotti from That 70's show declaring "I like showing my butt. I like to show it and I like to shake it." 

I really feel like Nina has come a long way with her story telling in this number. I typically tune out during slow songs no matter how amazing the performer. She however was able to keep her choreography dynamic enough that I was not only captivated but lost in the cozy space she seemed to create to Taylor Swifts Safe and sound. 

Ahh the elusive Iron X desired by many achieved by they few with the determination to push through the pain to achieve it. Norell is always a joy to watch but this routine made me happy for a whole other reason. Her routines typically are high energy and happy. This piece however possessed her with a dark angel with slow precision and grace evoked to hypnotize us through a slow butter movements from one trick to the next. It will only be a matter of time before we see this awesome force in competitions near you. 

I love Basses diversity and range. Her characters are always different from one routine to the next but mostly I love that she's a bit of an exhibitionist. She certainly isn't afraid to show you her naughty side and bring props into the equation. Even when she is doing a pole routine I love that there is always a hint of burlesque in there. I love that this makes her legs look even longer than they already are.

Another first timer on the Vertical Fusion stage I was amazed at the ability of this little ball of muscle. Off stage she is very timid which did not properly prepare me for the way she would attack The Fugees Killing Me Softly. She was so nervous about her routine prior to dress reversal that I was expecting this timid little routine. That all changed when she ripped off her coat and walked towards the poles I just said to myself, "Oh shit she is not playing around" and I was right, she proceeded to show us a competition worthy piece. 

I love a lot of things about watching Brunner (the Kristen on the bottom) dance. I mostly love how her long flexy legs make every move seem endless. She is unforgivenly sassy when she dances which really makes her fun to watch. I love that she decided to bring one of the other Kristen in for a little partner work in this number making for a fun Kristen squared photo opportunity at the end of her routine. 

I love that Steph has a very airy lightness to the way she dances. It really makes it seem as though she is floating or flying from trick to trick.

Kris is another one of those dancers who has great expression and theatricality. She always manages to set just the right mood with her movement and makes you feel like you're walking into the middle of a story line. It doesn't matter if she's a murdering mistress in cell block tango or pole dancing blind folded she is always captivating to watch. 

I was very impressed by Ariel's ability to choreograph a very dynamic routine that kept you captivated and on the edge of your seat to a very flat song dynamic wise. Her slow buttery movements had you hanging on the end of each of the musical phrases of AWOL Nations Sail wanting to see trick after trick. 

The amazing owner and our fearless sexy leader Melanie along with her daughter who is quickly following in her big hearted foot steps made everyone cry like we are always making her do. It was truly a thing of beauty to watch her and Des depict being freed from societies views of what you should be to Pinks Fucking  Perfect. As someone whom has personally felt freed in many ways by this woman and environment/ community she has created. It only makes you feel for those still bound by perception. 

Oh Roxy Star, she is one hell of performer and one of those teachers whom leaves you forever changed after you have studied with them. It's hard to not love someone is so unapologetically sexy, naughty, and full of life. She is the perfect blend of rock and roll and old time glamour and this time around we got to see what her Fetish side has to offer. Which is a whole lot of sexy, glitter, and shoe licking. 

  

To follow my work and view the rest of the photos from the Glambition showcase head over to my  Facebook page which can be found under Desiree Galvez Photography. If you are in the Longmont area and are ready to embark on one of the most physically rewarding journeys of your life head on over to Vertical Fusion and sign up for your first class at 

http://verticalfusionstudio.com