13 - Renata Pavam,Professional Photographer, Retired ABT dancer

Brazilian by birth, Renata Pavum is a photographer based in New York City and known for her work based on the backstage life of ballet. Renata is a former ballerina with the American Ballet Theatre where she worked for 12 years and where she developed her passion for photography. Renata started her training in Brazil with the great Cuban ballerina Ofelia Gonzalez and later at the Jeune Ballet de France in Paris, winning medals at several international dance competitions before joining ABT. Ultimately injuries took their toll on Renata and in July of 2013 she was forced to retire from dance at which point she began to pursue her passion for photography full time.