Dancewear Photography
Degas at the Paris Opera Ballet School

Degas asked me to create visual content that honored the precision of classical ballet and the heritage of their French brand.
This professional dancewear photography in Paris took place at the Paris Opera Ballet School, with its students — the “petits rats” — as our models.

From the very first shoot, I came with a full team: a makeup artist to prepare the dancers, and a videographer to capture motion. Together, we produced not just photographs, but a video used later at professional trade fairs.

Ballerina in white tutu stretching her leg vertically at the barre in a ballet studio.

Meeting Degas: A Brand Rooted in French Craft

Degas is a historic French maker of tutus, leotards, slippers, and dance bags — the main supplier for the Paris Opera Ballet School. Known for its handcrafted, made-in-France quality, the brand is a reference in classical dance.

While working on several boutiques in Lyon, I met Aurélie Frappaz — a passionate retailer and admirer of Degas. When she acquired the brand, she hired me to give its visual identity a fresh start.

We began with photo and video shoots at the Paris Opera Ballet School. That first session set the tone: clarity, discipline, and grace.

Young ballet dancer in bright pink rehearsal tutu at the barre.

Behind the Scenes at the Paris Opera Ballet School

Each shoot took place in the school’s studios, with full access to its young dancers — future étoiles in training.

I captured every piece in context: tutus in motion, slippers at rest, leotards under studio light. A makeup artist prepared the dancers, while video recorded fluid gestures and atmosphere.

Every session was a rare chance to photograph professional dancewear where it truly belongs.

Beyond the Studio: A Long-Term Collaboration

My work with Degas spanned several years and went far beyond the dancewear photography at the Paris Opera Ballet School.

As a trusted creative partner, I handled the brand’s daily social media visuals, designed multiple printed catalogs, and produced promotional materials including posters, roll-up banners, and hangtags.

I also accompanied the Degas team to an international classical dance trade show in Florence, ensuring the brand’s visual presence remained clear, elegant, and fully aligned with its values.

This long-term collaboration was not just about producing images — it was about shaping a consistent visual identity across every platform and occasion.

Final Deliverables & Photos Gallery

Over several sessions, I produced:

  • A professional video presentation for dance trade fairs

  • A photo catalog designed exclusively for retailers

  • Printed materials such as price tags and promotional banners

Pair of Degas pink satin pointe shoes with split soles and long ribbons — handmade professional ballet footwear.
Young ballet dancer performing a classical pose in a white tutu in a bright studio.
Ballet student at the barre wearing Degas red mesh leotard, black pants, and satin slippers — professional dancewear.
Young ballet dancer wearing black mesh leotard and pink tights, posing en pointe in Degas professional dancewear.
Ballet dancer seated on studio floor wearing Degas wrap top, leotard, pink tights, and pointe shoes — professional dancewear.
Young male ballet dancer in mid-air wearing white Degas dancewear at the Paris Opera Ballet School
Ballet dancer in light blue tulle rehearsal tutu and halter leotard en pointe — Degas professional dancewear.
Two ballet students carrying Degas dance tote bags in burgundy and pink tulle — professional accessories for dancers.
Two ballet dancers at the barre wearing Degas leotards — pink and black studio attire.
Ballet dancer in white tutu adjusting pointe shoes in a rehearsal studio — Degas dancewear.
Ballet dancer in pink leotard performing attitude pose en pointe — Degas dancewear.
Close-up of ballet slippers by Degas — pink split-sole shoes on dancer’s feet.
Ballet dancer seated in a black zip leotard by Degas, smiling during class.
Two ballet dancers in matching Degas leotards stand together at the barre, sharing a quiet moment
Young ballerina in pink tutu doing a full middle split while smiling and winking at the camera.
Two young ballet dancers in pastel Degas leotards with integrated skirts at the barre
Two ballet dancers in bright Degas leotards pose at the barre in a sunlit studio
Ballet dancer wearing a light blue Degas leotard poses en pointe.
Ballet student in white Degas tutu performs in the round studio at the Paris Opera Ballet School
Ballet dancer performing high développé en pointe in blue halter leotard and tulle skirt — Degas professional balletwear.
Young ballerina in a white Degas tutu performs an arabesque in the round studio of the Paris Opera Ballet School
Ballet students walk the spiral staircase of the Paris Opera Ballet School wearing Degas dancewear
Male ballet dancer mid-air in a studio, wearing Degas white T-shirt and grey tights — professional dancewear.
Ballet students’ feet in pink slippers and tights, photographed for Degas at the Paris Opera Ballet School
Young male ballet dancer mid-air in a grand jeté, wearing grey tights and a fitted white top.
Degas black and mauve zippered pouch with embroidered ballerina and tulle detailing — professional dance accessory.
Ballet dancer in pink Degas dress performing an arabesque at the barre.
Three ballet students in Degas leotards during barre practice at the Paris Opera Ballet School — professional dancewear catalog.
Young ballerina in white leotard and royal blue tutu performing a ballet pose in front of the barre.
Young ballerina in white leotard performing a grand jeté in a bright ballet studio.
Young ballet dancer in motion wearing a white leotard and pale pink tulle skirt.
Young ballet dancer performing in Degas red long-sleeve leotard, black rehearsal skirt, pink tights, and pointe shoes — studio setting.
Young ballet dancer sitting in Degas turquoise leotard at the barre, Paris Opera Ballet School
Smiling young ballet student lying on the floor in a fuchsia Degas leotard.
Ballet dancer in black sleeveless leotard standing en pointe at the barre – Degas brand photo shoot
Young ballet dancer in bright pink rehearsal tutu at the barre.
Young ballet student in a pink leotard posing in front of a barre.
Ballet dancer in white dress warming up at the barre – photographed by a visual communication agency in Connecticut
Ballerina in white tutu stretching her leg vertically at the barre in a ballet studio.
Degas matching dance tote bag and pouch in black and mauve tulle with embroidered ballerina motif.
Pair of pale pink satin pointe shoes with ribbons, showing sole with DEGAS logo and “Fabriqué entièrement à la main”.
Two young ballet dancers in pink and black leotards training at the barre in a dance studio.

Designed Materials

Beyond photography and video, I also created a full suite of visual communication tools to support Degas’ presence across trade shows and boutiques. These included:

  • A 200-page printed product catalog

  • Pricing labels and hangtags

  • Roll-up banners and large-format prints for professional events

These print design pieces combined clarity, visual balance, and brand alignment — each one crafted with the same attention to detail as the garments themselves.

Trade show roll-up banner for Degas – Professional Dancewear, featuring a ballerina in white tutu performing a high extension at the barre.
Christmas postcard for Degas – Professional Dancewear, featuring a young girl in a white tutu admiring a decorated tree by the fireplace.
Four-panel leaflet for Degas – Professional Dancewear, featuring the 2019 collection of ballet garments, accessories, and new lace fabric options, designed for trade fairs.
Poster for Degas dance photo contest encouraging young dancers to submit their best ballet competition pictures wearing Degas outfits.
Page from the Degas 2017–2018 catalog showcasing ballet leotards and tunics worn by students of the Paris Opera Ballet School.
Back-to-school promotional visual for Degas – Professional Dancewear, featuring two ballet students in white tutus and the “Made in France” label.
Double-sided product tag for Degas – Professional Dancewear, featuring brand logo, “Made in France” label, and space for retailer stamp.
Large photo wall roll-up banner for Degas – Professional Dancewear, featuring a mosaic of ballet dancers in various outfits and poses, designed for high visibility at trade shows.

Client Testimonial

“Perfectionist, attentive to details, 100% devoted to his projects, and always available for his clients – this is my definition of Charles. That is why he has been in charge all over the years of our photo and video shootings, as well as of our official 200 pages long business catalog and all other advertisement materials.”

Photography in motion

Dancers in the studio, the campaign images and the catalog came out of the same sessions. The frame either exists or it does not, and nobody is asked to start again.

The same on a different subject: Domaine Gros Frère et Sœur, a Grand Cru estate at harvest.

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