The Ballerina and the City
Hannah Kickert jumps on the streets of Chinatown. New York, 2018
The photos in this series were taken from 2017-2019. They feature Vienna-based, part-time NYC resident, Hannah Kickert. A photogenic ballerina with classic Hollywood looks, exceptional posing skills and an incredible personality, Kickert is one of my favorite subjects.
Hannah Kicker jumps in the East Village. New York, 2017
We met in 2017 at a Runstreet Art Run in the East Village. I photographed Kickert jumping against a Hektad mural in the First Street Green Cultural Park. The photo went on to become one of my most popular shots.
Hannah Kickert on the promo poster for Runstreet’s Daydream 5K Art Run and Festival. New York, 2018
In spring 2018, I worked with Hannah on a promotional photoshoot for the Runstreet Daydream 5K Art Run and Festival. She performed several jumps while wearing a full costume. Hannah was featured on the primary posters for the event.
Alternate take of Hannah Kickert for the Runstreet Daydream 5K Art Run and Festival. New York, 2018
Hannah contacted me in the summer of 2018 to schedule a fashion photoshoot before she returned to Vienna.
Hannah Kickert photographed in Chinatown. New York, 2018
I recommended shooting in Chinatown and Soho, the same locations for the Karolina Finksas series, as I wanted to see the contrast between two dancers — with distinct performing styles, hair colors and body types — and their respective approaches to the settings.
My favorites from the Chinatown portion of the shoot are these four consecutive frames taken on historic Doyers Street.
Hannah Kickert photographed in Soho. New York, 2018
We walked over to the relatively quieter streets of Soho to take street-style portraits. Hannah swapped out her jeans for cropped shorts.
Hannah Kickert walks in Soho. New York, 2018
Hannah in Soho. New York, 2018
Portrait of a ballerina. New York, 2018
We collaborated again in spring 2019 upon Hannah’s return to New York. The photos were captured a few hours before she flew back to Vienna.
Hannah Kickert in NoLita. New York, 2019
I took several shots of her in subway stations and on the streets of Lower Manhattan. But my favorite photos are of Hannah at the red wall in NoLita and her smiling in Central Park.
Hannah in Central Park. New York, 2019
After wrapping up in Central Park, we walked over to the Upper East Side. Before we parted company, Hannah taught me how to properly pronounce two of her famous countrymen’s names: Arnold Schwarzenegger and Dominic Thiem.
