Elyse Mertz is a NJ/NYC based photographer who constantly studies movement, gentle or gritty. She reflects on youthfulness, the limits of the body, and its emotional and physical potential. In her work, Mertz seeks to capture humanity - whether through portraits, dancers, or performances. She uses the camera to create clarity in the chaos of human bodies.

 

Elyse received her BFA in Dance from Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University. She is an ©ABT Certified Teacher and is an active educator at Princeton Dance and Theater Studio; teaching ballet and yoga to youth. Elyse received her 200-hr Yoga Certification in 2016 with the OM Factory. She has also studied with Little Flower Yoga to further her knowledge of teaching children.

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Elyse has studied at the Art of Photographing Dance Workshop at Jacob's Pillow in 2017 and 2019 under Rose Eichenbaum. She has studied under Whitney Browne at Jacob's Pillow as well as in her "Experimental Photography", "Seeing Light" and "Creative Composition" workshops in 2020. She has photographed for Williamsburg Arts NeXus (WAXworks) in NYC and is currently the Company Photographer at Princeton Youth Ballet. Elyse photographs hundreds of dancers and choreographers through personal projects, collaborations, and live performances throughout the area. 

 

Elyse invites you to collaborate, tell your story, and together, create a new narrative.