The Belly Dance Project
In 2011, I started my journey in photography by creating portraits of bellydancers in Toronto, Canada. I had been playing Arabic drums for a few years with different bands and orchestras, often accompanying dance performances, and I became fascinated with the beauty and creative fusion present in belly dance art. Over the years I had the chance to photograph and perform with a number of outstanding dancers from different backgrounds in North America, South America and Europe, where I continually developed my craft and aesthetics in a world of fantasy, history, emotion and sensuality.
The Belly Dance Project is my ongoing series about oriental dancers and their thoughtful exploration of ancient traditions, their fierce creativity into new territories, and the cross-pollination and fusion of cultures across the globe through artistic expression.
Ventre is a belly dance photography book by photographer Pedro Bonatto, created in support for Ukraine. All profits from sales will go to institutions helping women and children in Ukraine who are impacted by the war. The book features 56 dancers from 15 countries, including 10 Ukrainian dancers, who have been photographed by Pedro throughout the past 10 years, and collaborated with him in this charity effort.
Shipping: US, Canada and Europe: $5 | All other countries: $10
Pedro Bonatto is a Brazilian-born fine art and commercial photographer. He is also a percussionist, specializing in Middle Eastern music, playing derbake (doumbek), dahola and riq. Read more about his work here, and be sure to check his photography series The Orientalist, which features more than 50 dancers and musicians photographed in 3 three continents.
You can also find his latest works on Facebook and Instagram.