In Cuba, ballet dancers are revered in the same way rock stars or actors are admired in North America. This artistic institution is a mix of Cuban athleticism and rhythm along with the influence of the former Soviet Union. Photographer Omar Robles who has famously shot dancers in urban settings in New York, recently had the opportunity to travel to Cuba. Robles turned his lens to the island’s elite ballet dancers. He discovered that while photographing the classically trained dancers, another type of dance also made its way into the camera. “I found myself tangled between the rhythm of the ballerinas I set myself to shoot and the cadence of the Cubans in the streets…and I was swept off my feet by that dance,” explains Robles. Most of the dancers admit to not earning enough in their profession, often discouraged by family to follow their passion. It is their love for the craft, nonetheless, that keeps them dancing.
Huge thanks to @mashable and @huffingtonpost Italy for writing about my work with the dancers in Cuba today ! On this photograph: Daniela Cabrera & Daniela Fabelo #OZR_Dance || #??? || #Cuba A photo posted by Omar Z. Robles (@omarzrobles) on Apr 16, 2016 at 7:28pm PDT
Javier Rojas & Keyvin Martínez #OZR_Dance || #???|| #Cuba A photo posted by Omar Z. Robles (@omarzrobles) on Apr 3, 2016 at 7:59pm PDT
This is probably one of my favorite images from my shoots in Cuba. While I was shooting Daniela Cabrera, this elderly woman got really close to her and just stood there watching her for the longest time. I’m almost certain she didn’t even notice me shooting. It seemed as if she was reminiscing about her own youth. As she stood, I moved back to adjust my composition and include her into the frame. #OZR_Dance || #??? || #Cuba A photo posted by Omar Z. Robles (@omarzrobles) on Mar 31, 2016 at 7:11pm PDT
Jourdan Epstein @jourdance11 #OZR_Dance A photo posted by Omar Z. Robles (@omarzrobles) on Apr 7, 2016 at 8:00pm PDT
Esteban Aguilar #OZR_Dance || #??? || #Cuba A photo posted by Omar Z. Robles (@omarzrobles) on Mar 18, 2016 at 6:23pm PDT
Laura Tosar @lauratosar #OZR_Dance || #???|| #Cuba A photo posted by Omar Z. Robles (@omarzrobles) on Apr 5, 2016 at 7:59pm PDT
Getting under the rain with the @fujifilmx_us #Xpro2 and the #xf90mm. Great weather sealed combo. On this photo: Sadaise Arencibia #OZR_Dance || #??? || #Cuba A photo posted by Omar Z. Robles (@omarzrobles) on Apr 4, 2016 at 7:59pm PDT
Hello friends: I just published a blog post writing a little bit about my experience photographing the amazing dancers I met in Cuba. Follow the link on my bio to read the full post. I hope you enjoy it ! On this photo: Laura Tosar @lauratosar #OZR_Dance || #???|| #Cuba A photo posted by Omar Z. Robles (@omarzrobles) on Apr 15, 2016 at 9:19am PDT
Javier Rojas #OZR_Dance || #???|| #? A photo posted by Omar Z. Robles (@omarzrobles) on Mar 17, 2016 at 3:13pm PDT