HISTORIC landmarks across Farnham have featured as part of a ‘Dancing through Surrey’ photography project.

The images were captured by professional photographer Magda Hoffman and show Emily Coates, dancer at Vanessa Golborn School of Dance, leaping and holding dance positions in various town locations.

The idea of the project is for Magda to photograph dancers in iconic places around Surrey.

She chose to carry out the project in Surrey as she has lived in the area for almost 15 years and has “seen so many beautiful places, villages, cities, parks, and landmarks - there is so much more to explore”.

Magda added: “This year I wanted to start photographing dancers. I thought that the talented dancers and stunning landscapes would compliment each other beautifully.

“I love working with young people who are passionate about what they do. Photography is my passion too, so together we can create some magical images.”

The shoot began on Castle Street as Magda really “wanted an image with Farnham Castle in the background”.

She said: “I am really happy with the atmospheric results!

“My next setting was the Andrew Windsor Almshouses and Farnham Town Hall. I also spotted an interesting fountain in front of The Bush Hotel and we used it as a backdrop.

“I like the historic character of Farnham. I used to live nearby and had visited it a number of times. It is a beautiful town with a fantastic atmosphere.”

Magda adds casting calls to her Facebook business page, which is how Emily got in touch in her. Her link with Vanessa Golborn School of Dance came about similarly, when Vanessa also responded to one of the casting calls.

Vanessa said: “Magda put up a post asking for dancers - Sam (my cousin and ex-dancer too) tagged me and I replied to Magda.”

Six students from Vanessa’s dance school have taken part in photoshoots so far, including Emily and her older sister Megan Coates, Rhianna Smith, Ella Clow, Callan Dicker and Poppy Coonan.

Vanessa explained that there are two reasons why dancers are getting involved.

She said: “It’s lovely to have good quality shots for a dancers’ CV if going into the business.

“The big plus for them is that although they are giving up time, they get the shots for free.”

Of the students involved in Magda’s project, Megan is currently in her first year at London Studio Centre (LSC), Rhianna will be starting at LSC in September, and Callan and Emily will be auditioning next year.

Emily has also just passed her Advanced 2 modern exam with a high result in the 90s and is currently working towards her Advanced 1 tap exam which she will take at the end of this term.

Next term, Emily will be taking her Advanced 2 Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) ballet exam - something which is “fairly rare outside of a full time college”, according to Vanessa.

Magda described Vanessa as “very proactive and her dancers are keen to participate in my project”.

As well as Farnham, other locations include:

• West End village - where Magda lives

• Chobham

• Guildford

• Virginia Water

• RHS Garden, Wisley

• Newark Priory in Ripley

• Yehudi Menuhin School in Cobham

• Shere

• Newlands Corner

Magda has been photographing weddings - her first speciality - since 2008, but also enjoys taking portraits. She plans on shooting for this project for at least another year, with upcoming locations including Woking next month and a shoot at Leith Hill Tower.

Magda would like to encourage other schools to get in contact, or look out for casting calls by visiting www.facebook.com/surreyweddingphotographer.magdahoffman/.

You can read all about Magda’s photoshoots in a blog dedicated to the project and see the results of her work at blog.magdahoffman.com/category/dancing-through-surrey/. Alternatively, you can find her dance photography account on Instagram at www.instagram.com/magdahoffman_dancephotography/.