Competitions and Juried Shows
These juried exhibitions and competitions provide meaningful feedback and recognition for our dance portraits. Since each show has its own style and strengths, we tailor our submissions to the jury and the work they value most.
Take your time. You can learn more about specific juries and shows and see all of the photos that earned awards, or continue on to this year’s award-winning collaborations.
List of Competitions Entered
Welcome to the 2026 Awards Gallery
Images are in reverse chronological order based on the most recent awards.
Most Recent Awards: 2026 WPC, 2026 IPC.
Elegance in Motion
Dancer: Anna Horton
School: UNC School of the Arts BFA ’26
Created: 2026
Taken after graduation when all the pressure was off, Anna worked with some incredible lines sans pointe shoes, and the vibe is stunning.
Awards
- PPNC 2026:
- NC Excellence (94)
Dreams
Dancer: Stephen Myers
Company: Charlotte Ballet
Created: 2026
Working with Stephen was a treat, not just because of his artistry, but also because he is a genuinely wonderful person to be around. We had a great day working on many ideas, but this was a stand-out.
Awards
- PPNC 2026:
- NC Excellence (93)
Baggage
Dancers: Madison Wilson & Nate Jennings
School: UNC School of the Arts BFA ’26 & ’27
Created: 2026
We started with an inspiration-image and made this movement their own. We loved the nefarious side-eye from Nate from the start and worked on Madison’s movement until we had something that felt like a solid piece of storytelling.
Awards
- PPNC 2026:
- NC Excellence (91)
Emergent
Dancer: Alexis Workowski
Company: Boston Ballet
Created: 2026
I’ve had a couple of opportunities to work with Alexis as the professional model for Tutu.com. She loves darker images, and this was no exception.
Awards
- PPNC 2026:
- NC Excellence (88)
Reverie
Dancer: Sophia Eichman
School: Artistic Motion & Weaver Academy ’26
Created: 2026
Celebrating her senior year of high school and new beginnings. This particular image is actually her lifting herself off the ground while dragging her arm behind
Awards
- PPNC 2026:
- NC Excellence (88)
Wash Over Me
Dancer: Lauren Garner
School: TCU BFA ’26
Created: 2025
It was amazing working with Lauren to craft images that were resonant with her artistry and also worked for her portfolio. This image came about very organically, playing with wind and fabric. One judge at ASP commented about how the fabric is a full character in the image.
Awards
- PPNC 2026:
- NC Excellence (86)
- ASP/IoD Round 1
- Seal of Approval (84)
- IIC 2026
- Not judged yet
Reverie
Dancer: Peyton Lilly Bond
Company: South Carolina Ballet
Created: 2024
So much worked so well in this image. It’s been an honor to work with Peyton on multiple occasions, and you’ll see her work throughout the galleries. Alas, it may be a while until I can work with her again, as life has taken her across the oceans.
Awards
- WPC 2026: Member of Team USA, Top-10 Finalist in Natural Portrait
- 8th Place
- IPC 2026: Finalist in Natural Portrait
- Gold Award
- 2025 IV Awards:
- Excellence Award
- Judges’ Choice in Monochrome
- ASP/IOD 2025:
- Seal of Distinction
- PPNC 2025:
- NC Excellence (86)
- Photographer of the Year
- IIC 2025: Silver Award in Dance Photography
- In color as “Rhapsody in Blue”
Keeping a Low Profile
Dancers: Clara Woody
School: International Ballet Academy
Created: 2024
While Clara is a gifted young ballerina, she shines equally in her contemporary movement and sculptural stylings. Her attention to detail and ability to finesse the shape are inspiring. The physique is impressive, but it is the emotion exuded through the form that makes this image special.
Awards
- IPC 2026:
- Finalist in Illustrative Portrait
- Bronze Award
- 2025 IV Awards:
- Excellence Award in Figure Studies
- B&W Spider Awards 2025:
- Honorable Mention Fine Art
- ASP/IOD 2025:
- Seal of Distinction
- PPNC 2025:
- NC Excellence (91)
- Photographer of the Year
- IIC 2025:
- Gold Award in Figure Studies
- 1 of 4 Images for Second Place Overall in Portraits
Santa’s Helper
Dancer: Alexis Workowski
Company: Boston Ballet
Created: 2025
Honestly, I wasn’t a huge fan of the costume at first, but Alexis breathed joy and life into it. I had a bucket of indoor snowballs, and it all came together so easily. This is a single-frame capture. The only editing was removing one snowball that was below her hand. We had balls being tossed in from the wings as well as those she tossed. Thanks, Alexis, for making this image so fabulous!
Awards
- IPC 2026: Finalist in Commercial Photography
The Sky’s the Limit
Dancer: Graham Scott
School: Jami Masters School of Dance
Created: 2025
That feeling when it is just how it should be. The skirt moved perfectly, the leotard was ideal for this movement, Graham’s form was spot-on, and most importantly, her expression and energy told the story.
Awards
- IPC 2026: Finalist in High School Seniors
- 2025 IV Awards: Merit Award in Impressionism
Emergent Beauty
Dancer: Gracie Carlton
School: Cary Ballet Conservatory
Created: 2025
It has been a total joy to work with Gracie over the past few years and witness the young woman and artist she is becoming. Playing with the feather fans was a priority for her on this outing, and this one really stood out. What I love is her classic beauty and calmness in the moment. Her legs can be interpreted as a plinth for the torso image, or as part of the whole. Gracie’s art won several awards in 2024 with the photo “Aspiration”.
Awards
- IPC 2026: Finalist in Children & Teens
Explore Past Inspiration Galleries
Each gallery celebrates the dancers and images that earned awards in juried competitions that year—offering a glimpse into the artistry, individuality, and creative collaboration behind every frame.