This is a continuation of my personal project, “We Move” — a project that explores the intimate and powerful relationship between dance and mental health. Through these images, I aim to explore the ways movement can heal, empower, and offer expression to emotions that might otherwise go unsaid.

In July I had the incredible opportunity to work with Adam, a dancer whose journey with mental health is deeply intertwined with his art. We shot this series at the iconic Royal Albert Hall, a venue known for its grandeur and timeless elegance. I wanted the location to feel both classic and dramatic, an ideal backdrop for Adam’s movement. Ballet, with its emphasis on control, grace, and precise lines, felt like a perfect fit for his style, and I was drawn to the idea of combining that discipline with the raw emotion he brings to his performances.

The Royal Albert Hall offered a sweeping, almost cinematic space. As we moved through the shoot, I was fascinated by how Adam truly utilised the vastness of the space. His arms, hands, and body formed elegant shapes that spoke volumes, often conveying a sense of longing, release, and introspection. There’s a quiet strength in the way his body seems to both reach out and hold back at the same time, almost as if the dance itself is a form of communication that transcends words.

It’s not just about the movement, though—it’s about what the movement represents. For Adam, dance is an essential outlet for managing his mental health, a way of processing emotions that are difficult to express otherwise. The stories he shares through his body on stage reflect his inner journey, the ups and downs of living with mental health challenges, and the power of dance to create moments of healing and connection.

See below for Adams’s Story. 

Adam, Jul 2024 

“Dance saved me! Through adversity and obstacles, I believe that is how we grow as people. As a 5 ft 6 lad who is often the smallest in the room, my journey with dance and my mental health is always changing and evolving.

During my undergraduate auditions, I felt incredibly weak as a dancer. I was really struggling with my body image, feeling very slight and small. In my first year of drama school, I developed an immune disorder related to my blood, which meant I was placed on a medical course of steroids. This caused me to gain weight, especially in my face. It was an incredibly emotional time for me; I could feel my previous demons resurfacing, particularly with my body image and how I looked. Dance is for everyone, regardless of shape or size, but it was the shock of physically changing in such a short period that really knocked me. I was advised to limit my dance and movement as it was putting my health at risk.

When I was eventually given the green light to resume physical activity and return fully to dance, my passion was reignited. I became much healthier, and since my first year at drama school, I have become physically fitter. I have also learned to embrace the obstacles and challenges that may present themselves along the way as part of my personal journey.

I was born with a birth defect in two of my fingers, which means that some of my fingers cannot fully straighten. I’ve had two surgeries on one of them to correct the defects. If I opt for alternative surgery, I run the risk of losing motion and flexibility in my fingers. To a choreographer, my fingers and lines may not be aesthetically pleasing or ideal. However, my fingers are a part of me—denying that part of myself would mean denying who I am and ignoring the fact that all bodies are different. Dance has helped me learn to love my imperfections, embrace my height, and has given me lifelong friendships.

My love of dance would not have been possible without my incredible dance teachers, past and present, who have inspired me throughout my life and continue to inspire me. I will be forever in their debt for helping me learn to love my imperfections through dance.

I am incredibly grateful to the dancers I have befriended, who constantly inspire me in class or with whom I’ve had the pleasure of performing. The bonds I’ve formed with these dancers have been incredible, and they serve as my daily reminder that dance is for everyone. Physically moving and dancing truly lifts my mood, keeps me balanced, and helps me stay fit in a fun and mentally rewarding way.

Every person’s body is unique, and dance looks different on each individual. I believe the performing arts and dance industry have a duty of care—especially to young people—to champion diversity and create a healthy, supportive culture where all body types and abilities are celebrated. We should move and dance for the love of it and the pure joy it brings!”