Morgan Brown Sanborn under the Casco Bay Bridge. Photo by Jonathan Reece

Adam Sterr in front of Portland City Hall. Photo by Jonathan Reece

Erica Diesl at the infamous Portland postcard graffiti on Free Street. Photo by Jonathan Reece

Derek Clifford in front of the US Custom House. Photo by Jonathan Reece

Deborah Grammatic soars over the Portland skyline at North Street Park. Photo by Jonathan Reece

Eliana Trenam at the Deering Oaks Farmer's Market. Photo by Jonathan Reece

Jennifer Jones and Joseph Jefferies at Monument Square. Photo by Jonathan Reece

Kaitlyn Hayes on Back Cove. Photo by Jonathan Reece

Jenny Johnson on Wharf Street. Photo by Jonathan Reece

Amelia Bielen on Park Street. Photo by Jonathan Reece

Eugenia O'Brien, Founder and Artistic/Executive Director of Portland Ballet at Merrill Auditorium with her dancers. Photo by Jonathan Reece

Nell Shipman, Associate Artistic Director and Resident. Photo by Jonathan Reece

James Kramlich on East End Beach. Photo by Jonathan Reece

Meghan McCoy at Longfellow Square. Photo by Jonathan Reece

Kaleigh Natale on Congress St during First Friday Art Walk. Photo by Jonathan Reece

Colleen Edwards on Exchange Street. Photo by Jonathan Reece

Kelsey Harrison aboard the Astaco Amante at Widgery Wharf. Photo by Jonathan Reece

Lexa Daniels at the Riverton Railroad Trail. Photo by Jonathan Reece

Lindsay Cregier at the Narrow Gauge Railroad Company. Photo by Jonathan Reece

Megan Buckley at the Eastern Promenade. Photo by Jonathan Reece

The photos are gorgeous.

And no, they’re not Photoshopped.

The Discover Portland Ballet series – 20 images shot in Portland by photographer Jonathan Reece over the course of the last year – showcases some of Portland’s most iconic locations and introduces us to Portland Ballet’s talented company of dancers.

Maybe you’ve seen a few of the photos, some of which were shared on Portland Ballet’s Facebook page over the last several months. Hopefully you paused to appreciate them – the striking match up of those Portland places we know so well (Monument Square, the Eastern Prom, Exchange Street, North Street Park) with a ballet dancer caught mid-leap or posing gracefully in the foreground. And maybe – for a moment – you saw that place in a new light or wondered who that dancer was.

That moment of wonder is part of this project’s purpose.

“It was kind of one of those ‘how can we get people to learn more about Portland Ballet and get to learn more about their city as well,'” said Melissa Lin, Portland Ballet board president. “We really wanted to put these dancers – who moved from different parts of the country – we wanted to show them in iconic locations in Portland.”

“We are extremely lucky as a small city to have a full and well-versed professional ballet company,” she said. These images serve as a reminder.

They’re also an example of what creative collaboration can accomplish.

“Jon, with his photographic background, was really great in setting up composition and understanding how light can really hit it home. Between Jen Jones (dancer) and Nell Shipman (artistic director and choreographer), they’re thinking about how to showcase each of the dancers’ best talents and do it in a way that’s beautiful and connects to the scenery,” said Lin. “That’s something they do all the time, piecing together choreography, knowing exactly what costume to outfit the dancer in, what jump she does effortlessly. All those aspects come together.”

Each shoot took anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour to set up, sometimes in the snow or the cold, often at dawn, said Lin. “The best part is the dancers were happy and willing to do the same move again and again.”

All to get that perfect shot and create what Portland Ballet calls, “a passionate ode to both its city and the performing arts.”

For a better peek at the shoots, check out the Behind the Scenes Discover Portland Ballet video.

All images by photographer Jonathan Reece and used with permission. For more of his work: jonreece.com

Summer in the City

Here is your chance to view the complete Discover Portland Ballet series in person and mingle with photographer Jonathan Reece and the dancers of Portland Ballet Company. Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres from Old Port Sea Grill.

WHEN: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, August 21

WHERE: U.S. Custom House, 300 Fore Street, Portland

HOW MUCH: $100

MORE INFO: www.portlandballet.org