Julianne Kinasiewicz

The Project

Julianne is a professional ballerina with the Los Angeles Ballet. She casually mentioned during our shoot how she’s burning through two pairs of pointe shoes a week. Apparently some dancers go through more. Never could have anticipated that. Didn’t even know to think about it, honestly. The amount of repetitions, the hours, the daily grind for that to be possible. Beauty and grace on a main stage, with the most brutal and intricate of work routines behind the scenes. This is what we set out to capture. Those small, stripped down, otherwise unseen moments. Immediately applying this new information to my fragile self-esteem, I considered whether there’s anything I work as hard at which could draw a semblance of equivalency.

Client

Julianne Kinasiewicz

Date

2025

Location

Los Angeles

Photographer

Holland Clement

Close-up of a ballet dancer's feet in gold satin pointe shoes, with a reflection on the dark floor.
Close-up of a person wearing a white top and multiple rings, turning pages in a large open book in dim lighting.
Close-up of a person's face with a pin in their mouth, showing lips, nose, and part of an earring.
A woman with dark hair and earrings, resting her arm on her shoulder, in a contemplative pose.
A person holding a pair of worn gold-colored high heel shoes, showing the soles marked with size and other details, with sunlight casting shadows on the shoes and surroundings.
Person using small scissors to cut a fabric label sewn onto a garment.
Ballet dancer sitting on the floor of a dance studio with ribbons, wearing a leotard and tights, looking at her phone, reflected in the mirror.
A ballet dancer sitting on the floor with ballet shoes and tutu, preparing for a dance, with scissors, a lighter, and a roll of white ribbon nearby.
A person using scissors to cut a beige fabric or clothing item on a dark surface, with related items nearby.
A hand with a gold ring holds a satin ribbon, with sewing supplies such as a pin cushion, ball of yarn, and fabric scattered on a dark surface in natural light.
A person's hands holding a small vial and a nasal spray bottle, preparing to use a nasal spray.
A close-up of a young woman applying lipstick, with blurred lights in the background, wearing gold earrings and a ring.
Close-up of a woman with a draped tank top, touching her lips with her finger, with a string or thread near her mouth, against a dark background.
Close-up of hands sewing a satin strap onto a satin shoe with a needle and thread.
A person sewing the sole of a beige shoe with a needle and white thread, with a box of sewing supplies nearby.
A young woman with dark hair wearing earrings holds a light-colored cloth to her face, looking at the camera with a soft expression.
Ballerina in a white tutu and pointe shoes performing a split on the dark stage, resting her chin on her hand, top view shot.