After he returned us to our car, we wrote a note on a newspaper on the dashboard, alerting AAA that we would be on the beach, and to honk 4 times upon their arrival, and we could come running.

So we settled on shooting in the Design District, and had the soundtrack of a cooing and happy baby (with babysitter-in-tow) as the backdrop of our shoot…

I was determined to create an image to show off the striking geometric, maze-like design of the apartment complex (Muralla Roja), all the while ensuring the ballerina was the focal point of the image and not overpowering her. In conjunction with Emily, I think we successfully conveyed that subtleness of ballet.

Getting to Muralla Roja proved half the battle, as once inside, one needs to constantly be navigating the maze and labyrinth - and also remembering not to lose the keys.

Often people compliment (or complain) that my photos look like they're from a different era, and I attribute that to the Hasselblad lens rendition and black and white film. Without the mask, which symbolizes a dark period in history, this photo could possibly pass for one made in the late '70s or early '90s.

Like my wedding photography days (circa 2008), this image quickly became one of my favorite images from Clara's session. Although it "appears" candid, this time it was purposeful, harking back to a simpler time.

I don't remember telling Nina how exhausted I was, but when I suggested this pose/idea to her, I felt that she perfectly captured the feeling of wanting to rest one's face against some soft leaves.

I told her that Lore Zonderman couldn't have been given a cooler name even if a committee was tasked to come up with a name for an actress. But I digress. Lore is as cool as a cucumber, with the name of a world-famous Hollywood star, and as elegant and strong as any ballerina.

When I first started this project, I never could have predicted the relationships and connections I would make along the way. From photographing a ballerina in Havana to meeting Anna in Amsterdam, it's been an incredible journey so far.