Wilma Giglio // Copenhagen, Denmark

It’s not every day that a principal from one of the best ballet companies in the world reaches out randomly to praise your photos. So when Wilma messaged me, I was shocked to realize that one of the most elite ballerinas from one of the “world's best renowned ballet companies” had just messaged me.

It sincerely felt like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity when Wilma invited me into the Queen's Tea Room, a place where the Danish Queen often takes a moment to indulge in a treat before or after watching performances at the renowned Royal Danish Theatre -Det Kongelige Teater . As I set up my Hasselblad, I couldn't help but marvel at the stunning décor and historical significance of the room.

Just a few minutes into our shoot, a pianist walked in to practice, and we realized that we had "forgotten" to get permission to use the space. Fortunately, the pianist was understanding and kindly gave us 15 minutes to wrap up our session. With only a limited amount of time, Wilma and I were focused and determined to capture some amazing shots.

Despite our best efforts, a fire alarm suddenly blared, interrupting our shoot and prompting us to question what was happening. Perhaps foolishly, we were undeterred, and we made the decision to press on and finish the images that we were working on, out of respect for the time that the pianist had generously given us. Only later did we learn that the alarm was a false one, and we couldn't help but laugh and be grateful for our determination to carry on, even in the midst of chaos.

I was giddy as all get-out as Wilma encouraged us to continue. As we were making our way through secret  doors, trekking up ladders inside of hidden walls, and shooting inside forgotten, dusty attics on the rooftop, I marveled at how blessed I am. Again, it’s not every day that a principal from one of the best ballet companies in the world reaches out to you and offers you a personalized tour of her workspace.

May 7, 2022

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Anna Tsygankova // Amsterdam, Netherlands

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Caroline Baldwin // Copenhagen, Denmark