AREA x J.Bakari Creative Partnership

the residency

Fine-art black-and-white portraits that celebrate your dancer and support AREA programs.

10% of every booking supports AREA • Archival prints • Gallery-level quality •

10% of every booking supports AREA • Archival prints • Gallery-level quality •

How It Works

1) Pick your path

2) Tell us about your dancer

3) We’ll create heirloom art

Group of people seated in a conference room, watching a presenter raising their hand, with the words 'AREAL Baby Page' superimposed on the image.

Together we’ve created a series of portrait experiences that celebrate discipline, artistry, and individuality.

Each session is crafted in the fine-art black-and-white language of J. Bakari Creative and designed as a keepsake for your family, while directly supporting AREA programs. Begin your dancer’s journey below — your story, your session, your legacy.

Our Signature Offerings

Each session is crafted to honor your dancer’s artistry and create heirloom portraits, with 10% of every booking supporting AREA programs.

  • Designed for first-season dancers. A timeless keepsake that marks the beginning of your AREA journey.

    $200

    Includes 8×10 fine art archival print (additional prints available) | 2 web-res digital companions (artist-selected, share-ready) | 10% supports AREA

  • An heirloom portrait celebrating your dancer’s grace and individuality. Perfect for families who want one elevated, fine art image.

    From $400

    Includes 1 fine art black & white portrait | one 8×10 archival print (additional prints available) | 3 web-res digital companions (artist-selected) | 10% supports AREA

  • A fuller portrait study highlighting form, movement, and presence. Includes three distinct portraits with your choice of prints or a framed piece.

    From $700

    Includes 3 black and white portrait looks | choice of 3 archival 8×10s or one framed 11×14 | 5 web-res digital companions (artist-selected) | Featured in AREA Spotlight Newsletter | 10% supports AREA

  • Limited to 5 dancers per season. Combines a studio portrait session with exclusive behind-the-scenes + live coverage of one performance, preserved in a fine art album.

    From $1,400

    Portraits + recital coverage + album | 10% supports AREA

  • For auditions or intensives. A digital-first session with 4–6 portraits (mix of sculptural and motion studies), optimized for applications and social platforms.

    From $750

    Includes Digital delivery of high-res and web-res digital files | optional print upgrades available | 10% supports AREA

  • Our flagship fine art commission. Sculptural form meets intimate presence, with professional styling included. Anchored by a gallery-scale framed 40×60 archival print.

    From $2,500

    Includes one 40×60 Large-format statement piece with custom framing included (alternate sizes available upon request) | 8-10 web-res digital companions (artist-selected) | 10% supports AREA

Meet the Team

Black and white portrait of a man wearing glasses, a smartwatch, and a black shirt, standing against a dark background.
A black-and-white portrait of a woman with short hair, wearing earrings and a patterned top, looking thoughtfully to the side with her hands clasped together. The text overlay reads 'J. Bakari Page' in cursive.

Jason Page | Photographer

I’m Jason Page, the photographer behind J. Bakari Creative and also a proud AREA parent. My passion is capturing dancers in a way that celebrates who they are — not just their technique, but their personality, confidence, and joy. With years of experience in both photography and design, I create portraits that feel timeless, like artwork you’ll be proud to keep in your home. Every session is designed to honor your dancer’s journey and give your family something lasting to treasure.

Group of young girls practicing ballet in a dance studio, kneeling on the floor with arms extended upwards, wearing leotards.
A woman with dreadlocks in a dance studio leading a dance class, with other dancers following her in the background.

Celebrate your Dancer

Every dancer’s journey is worth remembering. These portrait sessions are designed to capture not only your child’s technique, but also their personality, artistry, and joy. Each image is created in the fine art black-and-white style that defines J. Bakari Creative — timeless portraits you’ll be proud to display at home and treasure for years to come.

Share a few details below and we’ll match you with the right session, then connect personally to confirm before anything is finalized.

We’ll contact you to confirm date, location, and styling before any booking is finalized.

We’ll contact you to confirm date, location, and styling before any booking is finalized.

We’ll review your info and confirm details together—nothing is final until we speak.

Close-up of a ballet dancer's legs and feet in pointe shoes on a wet floor, black and white photograph.
Two young girls practicing ballet together in a dance studio, wearing leotards. One is in motion, blurred, and the other is standing still, looking at her.

FAQs

  • Black-and-white portraits highlight form, artistry, and emotion without distraction. They feel timeless — more like artwork than snapshots — and keep the focus on your dancer’s presence and technique.

  • Yes. Each session includes a select number of web-resolution digital companions (artist-selected) for easy sharing with friends and family. These are proportionate to your session level. The centerpiece of every session remains the archival print(s), designed as lasting heirlooms.

  • No. To preserve the fine art nature of the work, only curated images are provided. Each session balances prints with digital companions so families can share without losing the exclusivity of the artwork.

    • Welcome & Foundation: one 8×10 archival print

    • Signature: three 8×10 prints or one framed 11×14

    • Moment of Mastery: one gallery-scale 40×60 print (with custom framing)

      Additional sizes and frames are always available as upgrades.

  • Most portraits are carefully retouched and delivered within 2–3 weeks. Large framed prints may take an additional 1–2 weeks for production.

  • Yes. Families can always order additional archival prints, framed pieces, or keepsakes through their private gallery.

  • Simple, studio-ready attire that reflects their artistry. Minimal jewelry, neutral tones, and clean lines work best. Some sessions include access to curated wardrobe pieces and costuming.

  • For higher tiers (such as Moment of Mastery), yes — hair, makeup, and styling support are part of the experience. For other sessions, simple studio-ready prep at home is perfect.

  • Most sessions take place in our private home studio. Some tiers offer the option to upgrade into partner studios for larger space and expanded backdrops.

  • Yes — 10% of every session directly supports AREA’s programs and community initiatives. Every portrait you take home helps strengthen the studio’s legacy.

  • This isn’t recital photography. These portraits are created in a fine art style — sculptural lighting, careful direction, and archival materials that turn each dancer’s image into a piece of artwork for your home.

Ballet dancer in pointe shoes stretching against a wall, back view, black and white photo.
Close-up of a ballet dancer's legs and feet in pointe shoes, standing on a wooden floor with a light source behind, creating a dramatic contrast.

Every portrait begins with a story.

Two young girls practicing yoga on a wooden floor in a gym, lying on their sides with heads turned, in front of a wall with exercise equipment and sunlight streaming through a window.
Three young girls are lying on the floor with their legs against the wall in a dance studio, creating a symmetrical pattern.