Sarasota Dance Photography

Sarasota Dance Photography – Redefined.

sarasota dance photography

I am MICHAELA RISTAINO of Ristaino Photography, and I cannot wait to create a one of a kind photo session for your dance studio. I am fine art portrait photographer in Sarasota FL with an intense passion for all things theatre and dance. I hold a degree in music and have a rich background in performance which gives me a unique ability to merge two loves, performance and photography. I bring a wealth of experience to Sarasota Dance Photography from my recent home in San Francisco. While there, I worked with top performing groups and performers in the Bay Area. I am truly passionate about capturing performance in action and I have a unique talent for putting individuals at ease to create authentic and stunning headshots and individual portraits.

I am a member of Sarasota’s professional vocal ensemble Gloria Musicae and have enjoyed a long history of performing with various music and theatre groups throughout the country. All this and more makes me the perfect choice for capturing your performers in their most authentic and passionate element. With a rich history in performance, I know exactly how to bring out the best in your dancers to showcase their unique talents and individual personalities.

Photo experiences may include pro bono headshots of faculty and staff*, live performance photography, dance studio student mini-sessions, or student headshots.

Not your typical photography studio, I truly partner with YOUR studio for the most personal experience possible. Not only do I come to YOU, but each mini-session experience includes a CASH DONATION back to your studio or school.*

See the galleries below for examples of faculty headshots, student mini-session portraits, and performance photos. Each session is fully customized for your studio’s needs.

Call 941-957-8088 or contact me today to set up a consultation! I can’t wait to work with you!

*inquire for details

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Sydney, this one`s for you.

You belong on the beach. Your mom knew it. I knew it about thirty seconds after we started talking. And these photos? They prove it.

Sometimes the best sessions are the ones that almost didn`t happen.

Sydney, you were an absolute joy. That smile, that hair, that sunset that showed up just for you. I could not have planned it better if I tried.

If you have a Class of 2027 senior who belongs somewhere specific, let`s go there. Link in bio.

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Open post by michaelaristainophotography with ID 18057075965726735

Sydney, this one's for you.

You belong on the beach. Your mom knew it. I knew it about thirty seconds after we started talking. And these photos? They prove it.

Sometimes the best sessions are the ones that almost didn't happen.

Sydney, you were an absolute joy. That smile, that hair, that sunset that showed up just for you. I could not have planned it better if I tried.

If you have a Class of 2027 senior who belongs somewhere specific, let's go there. Link in bio.

There was an era of senior portraits. You know the one.
Cap and gown on a staircase. Leaning against a brick wall like the brick wall is very interesting. Hand on chin. Smile that says "I have been told to smile."

We don`t do that here.

We do this.

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Open post by michaelaristainophotography with ID 18125696578622754

There was an era of senior portraits. You know the one.
Cap and gown on a staircase. Leaning against a brick wall like the brick wall is very interesting. Hand on chin. Smile that says "I have been told to smile."

We don't do that here.

We do this.

She came in with a vision. She wouldn’t settle for anything less.

And she was right.

Olivia, you were an absolute dream to photograph. Most opinionated? Maybe. I just call that a girl who knows who she is and what she wants. These are just a few of my favorites, but honestly it was hard to choose. Can’t wait to share the rest with you!

If you have a Class of 2026 or 2027 senior who knows exactly what she wants, let’s make it happen. Link in bio.

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Open post by michaelaristainophotography with ID 18061664687449750

She came in with a vision. She wouldn’t settle for anything less.

And she was right.

Olivia, you were an absolute dream to photograph. Most opinionated? Maybe. I just call that a girl who knows who she is and what she wants. These are just a few of my favorites, but honestly it was hard to choose. Can’t wait to share the rest with you!

If you have a Class of 2026 or 2027 senior who knows exactly what she wants, let’s make it happen. Link in bio.

You pulled out your phone to grab a quick photo and suddenly you`re the worst person in the room. You`re not doing anything wrong. You just want to remember this. And yeah, that`s a little inconvenient for her right now.

Swipe through for the one shift that actually helps, no camera settings, no tricks, no bribing.

And if you want more of this, the free 5-day email series is at the link in my bio. Five short emails about how to take better photos of your teen without turning every moment into a whole thing.

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Open post by michaelaristainophotography with ID 18069420140304764

You pulled out your phone to grab a quick photo and suddenly you're the worst person in the room. You're not doing anything wrong. You just want to remember this. And yeah, that's a little inconvenient for her right now.

Swipe through for the one shift that actually helps, no camera settings, no tricks, no bribing.

And if you want more of this, the free 5-day email series is at the link in my bio. Five short emails about how to take better photos of your teen without turning every moment into a whole thing.

I hear it every single time. “I’m not really a photo person.”

And then golden hour hits and she can’t stop laughing and I catch the shot and she is absolutely a photo person. Always was.

That part never changes, no matter how many sessions I do.

If you have a class of 2026 or 2027 senior, let’s start dreaming up her perfect session. Link in bio.

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Open post by michaelaristainophotography with ID 18089400478967990

I hear it every single time. “I’m not really a photo person.”

And then golden hour hits and she can’t stop laughing and I catch the shot and she is absolutely a photo person. Always was.

That part never changes, no matter how many sessions I do.

If you have a class of 2026 or 2027 senior, let’s start dreaming up her perfect session. Link in bio.

Your teen isn`t being difficult. They`re being a teenager.

There`s a reason they shut down the second you pull out your phone. And once you understand it, getting photos of them actually gets easier.

Swipe through to see what`s really going on, then grab the free 5-day email series at the link in my bio.

Five short emails. Real shifts. No camera gear required.

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Open post by michaelaristainophotography with ID 17944164987154637

Your teen isn't being difficult. They're being a teenager.

There's a reason they shut down the second you pull out your phone. And once you understand it, getting photos of them actually gets easier.

Swipe through to see what's really going on, then grab the free 5-day email series at the link in my bio.

Five short emails. Real shifts. No camera gear required.

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Contact

Michaela Ristaino Photography
michaela@ristainophotography.com | 941-957-8088 | Sarasota FL