Dancing in the Shadows – Alexandra in Guam’s Downtown

I’ve always been drawn to images with mood — the kind that live in shadow more than light. When I photograph, especially at night, I’m not chasing perfection or polish. I’m chasing a feeling.

That’s what led me to this shoot with Alexandra.

A few years back, I befriended some dancers from the SandCastle — Guam’s version of a Vegas-style revue. They bring in talent from off-island for short-term contracts, usually six to eight months at a time. One of the dancers, Sabrina, actually reached out before she even arrived on the island. We connected, shot together, and through her, I met Alexandra, her roommate and fellow dancer.

Alexandra and I discussed doing a shoot that showcased her training, but one that felt less like a performance and more like a memory — something fleeting and quiet, even when the movement was explosive. We picked Guam’s downtown as the backdrop. It’s not exactly a Manhattan street corner, but it has its moments. Sidewalks. Overhangs. A few curious passersby. And one dancer in flight.

For light, I kept it simple. I’d recently picked up a used Ice Light 2 from a photographer who was leaving the island. It became my main light source — soft, handheld, and just bright enough to give me shape without killing the mood. The ambient glow of storefronts and lampposts did the rest.

There’s something about placing a dancer in an unexpected space — a street, a parking garage, under fluorescent glow. It adds grit. Contrast. Stillness. These shots aren’t about big productions. They’re about quiet power and the trust that lets a moment unfold.

⚙️ Tech Notes

• Camera: Fujifilm X-Pro2
• Lens: Fujinon XF 56mm f/1.2
• Lighting: Ice Light 2 (handheld, used as key)
• ISO: 3200–6400
• Aperture: f/1.4–f/2.0 depending on shot
• Shutter: 1/250s or faster to freeze motion
• Post: Converted to black & white using DxO, finished with the Acros 100 simulation

Most of these were handheld — both the camera and the light, which gave me the flexibility to follow Alexandra’s movements in real time. I leaned into the noise and grain a bit; it felt right for the grit of downtown and the quiet tension of dance at night.