1. Please introduce yourself. Who are you? What do you do?
My name is Yanis Ourabah, I’m a professional photographer based in Lyon, France, and I divide my work between commissioned projects and personal artistic exploration. On a daily basis, I shoot corporate and industrial reports, architecture assignments, communication campaigns, and editorial stories for magazines — the kind of work that requires precision, storytelling, and trust. But alongside that, I’ve developed a more personal project called “Dance In Lyon”, around dance in urban spaces in my hometown (Lyon), which allows me to step outside the brief and create something freer and more instinctive. Photography is both my job and my way of staying curious about the world, whether I’m documenting factories, buildings, or a dancer suspended in mid-air.
2. How long have you been into photography, and what drew you to it?
I’ve been a full-time photographer for about ten years now, but I’ve actually been involved in the world of photography since the late 90s. I grew up surrounded by cameras — my mother had a short career as a journalist in France, and I used to play with her old film gear long before I really understood how it worked. That early curiosity never really left; I’ve always been fascinated by the idea of capturing something real and making it last. So even though photography became my profession later on, it’s been part of my life for as long as I can remember.
3. In one sentence, please describe what you captured in this shot.
It’s a shot of my friend Elliot — an incredible dancer — frozen mid-air in a horizontal jump, perfectly reflected in a puddle that was already there, no tricks, no AI, just the right moment and the right angle!
4. What style of photography would you describe this as, and do you typically work in this style?
I’d call it a mix between dance photography and urban storytelling — a blend of movement and street aesthetics. I love working outdoors with real textures, people passing by, unexpected light, all of it. So yes, this style is very much a part of my work: the city becomes the stage, and the dancer brings the poetry!
5. When and where was this photo taken?
This shot was taken in Lyon, France, in 2021, during my ongoing project “Dance in Lyon”. It was just after the rain, in a spot where the reflections suddenly made everything more interesting. I love that it was captured in my own city — it adds a personal layer to the image.
6. Were there any happy accidents or unexpected elements in the final image?
Definitely — the puddle wasn’t planned at all. We showed up expecting to shoot a totally different concept, but the rain left this perfect mirror on the ground and everything clicked instantly. The weather became an uncredited collaborator on the photo :-)
7. What equipment did you use?
Shot with a Nikon D850 and a Nikkor 24-70 f2.8, handheld, and then edited in Lightroom — nothing too heavy, just enough to make the moment feel the way it felt in real life.
8. What drew you to take this photo?
I’ve always been fascinated by movement in places where it doesn’t “belong,” and that contrast is exactly what made me want this shot. The roughness of the city and the elegance of the dancer create a dialogue — it’s like placing freedom inside concrete. That tension is what made me press the shutter.
9. How many attempts did it take to get this shot?
Not many — the pose was physically demanding for Elliot, so we couldn’t repeat it endlessly. I would say 3 or 4 times. It takes real courage to launch yourself horizontally into the air and hope to land safely on your feet, especially with a puddle right next to you!
On top of that, every new jump brought him closer to the puddle, which started creating ripples and ruining the mirror effect. So we had just a handful of chances before the reflection disappeared, and luckily one of them was the right one.
10. Did you edit this photo?
Yes, but lightly — color balance, a bit of cleanup, some contrast shaping. The reflection, the jump, the moment itself are exactly as they happened.
11. What encouraged you to share this photo online?
Some photos feel like they’re meant to live outside your hard drive, and this was one of them. It had something universal — motion, freedom, rhythm — and I wanted people to feel that same spark. And since it’s part of a bigger project, sharing it felt like the right next step.
12. Did you learn anything in the process?
I learned once again that patience pays off, that rain is not the enemy, and that some of the best results come from letting the moment guide the plan instead of the other way around. It also reminded me how important it is to improvise and step out of the framework you set for yourself. Often we plan so many things in advance, and in the end, depending on the light, the dancer’s energy, or the passersby, you end up doing something totally different — which is totally fine!
13. Do you remember what you ate the day you took this photo?
Honestly I don’t — nothing memorable, unlike the photo we ended up with!
14. What would you like people to take away from this photo?
I hope people feel a sense of freedom when they look at it — a reminder that even in grey cities and everyday routines, there’s room for movement, beauty, and expression.
15. Is there any feedback you’d like on this shot?
I’m always curious about how people emotionally react to my photos — not just technically. But this one, I get a lot of questions about the technique: people often ask if the reflection is real or added afterward. For me, the best feedback is when someone feels the movement and energy, while also noticing the details that make the shot unique.
16. How can anyone reading this support your work?
They can follow the project, share the image if it speaks to them, or simply continue supporting artists they believe in. And of course, my prints and future work are available through my website, Flickr and Instagram.
One last thing : A big thank you to Flickr, where I’ve been a member since 2007 — almost 20 years! It’s been an incredible platform to share, discover, and connect with photographers around the world.
Meet the photographer:
I’m Yanis Ourabah (he/him), a professional photographer based in Lyon, working full-time for over 10 years. Since 2012, I’ve been developing my personal project “Dance in Lyon”, capturing the beauty of movement in urban spaces. Alongside that, I also shoot corporate, industrial, architectural, and editorial assignments, combining technical precision with creative storytelling.