Pure Expressions Photography has created a portrait display as unique as the colors of the Academy for Performing Arts studio lobby.

Walk into the Academy for Performing Arts in Apex, NC and you’ll see it’s an eclectic mix of fun, dynamic color. Greens, blues, pinks and the red hair of their owner stand out among the chairs and tables, mirrors and televisions where parents watch their children as they dance. The missing element, until just this week, were portraits of dancers.

In April, the Academy for Performing Arts and Pure Expressions Photography met to discuss adding to the comfortable feel of the lobby. “Our walls have been lacking. The color is great. It suits us to a T,” says APA owner Hillary Parnell adding, “but the walls have been virtually empty except for our staff headshots. We needed something unique; something that suited the feel of our studio as well as the kids that dance here.”

Pure Expressions Photography, a local to Apex studio that boasts the 2008 Best Kept Secret from the Cary News’ Best of the West, was asked to help with the display. “Hillary wanted fun and unique; something outside the norm of children’s portraits and gold edge framing. To suit the dynamics of her studio, we focused on whimsical, using hand made wooden frames who’s color was uniquely chosen to match or complement the dancer’s costume.” Says Aimee Bickers, owner of Pure Expressions Photography. “She also wanted to use her dancers as they are, without a doubt, the best representation of her studio,” adds Aimee.

Together, the project resulted in the selection of six portraits of six different APA dancers with one more to be added in the summer of 2009. “They are absolutely beautiful! I love them!” says Hillary of the display. “They complete the lobby in a way that no other display could. Our students will get a huge kick out of seeing themselves on the walls!”

The Academy for Performing Arts provides a creative environment for learning and growing through the art of dance. The studio, located in the heart of downtown Apex, offers jazz, tap, hip hop, contemporary ballet, predance and additional options to its students. For more information about the Academy for the Performing Arts, call 919-367-7210 or visit online at www.apanc.com

Pure Expressions Photography represents the photographic, creative and artistic vision of Apex resident Aimee Bickers. Using a casual, conversational and observational approach, the studio photographs pregnant moms, brides walking down the aisle, and everything in between, in the Apex based studio and on-location. For more information, please visit www.pureexpressionsphotography.com or contact Pure Expressions Photography at 919.362.9039.