Charla Virkler, dance photographer

When a dancer grows up and gets into photography, how could it end up anywhere else?

What happens when you combine Rockwell and Degas?

As a child, I grew up in the ballet studio. My teacher had Degas prints all over the walls. I loved the raw emotion of the dancers.

The storytelling ability of Norman Rockwell captured my heart growing up, so my style has evolved into a combination of the two: dancers and storytelling, in a light-hearted way!

 

Oh, and I write, too.

Confession: It’s been a hot minute since I’ve done anything new, but you can see what I’ve created here.

Studio Work

I’ve stopped doing photo days (and started getting much better sleep). But I still love doing fly-on-the-wall pictures during dance classes, as well as auditions.

Rehearsals and Performances

Rehearsals might be my most favorite thing to get pictures of (other than my own dancers). Costumes and stage lighting, but the freedom to move around and get angles I can’t get while there’s an audience…it’s magical.

From The Blog

I don’t blog often, but when I do I make them count!

Final Performances

Final Performances

In June, Rebekah put on a small performance for close friends and family. This was a celebration of what she's learned, as well as a fund-raiser for her Summer Intensives and classes this fall. We tried to record it so people who couldn't be there live could see...

My Life’s Soundtrack

My Life’s Soundtrack

Imagine your life...your most pivotal memories...what song was playing during that time? If you can't figure out how to start, try going about it the opposite way. When you hear certain songs, very specific scenes appear, right? Start collecting those, and then pare...

Looking Back

Looking Back

Looking Back  We've all been there.  I suspect that by the time people hit adulthood, pretty much everyone has experienced something that, in retrospect, they should have left far earlier than they did. A friendship or relationship that wasn't healthy. A church where...