Levitating Dancer Photo Series

Skip navigation!

Begin Slideshow

Mickael Jou started his photo project, titled Air Through My Ashes, by literally dancing in the streets. Jou studied dance for 10 years, starting in college, and ended up performing on the sidewalks of Paris (more for fun than for profit). After consistently getting his photo taken by eager tourists, the dancer decided to pursue his craft more seriously. So in 2012, he bought a camera and started photographing his dance routines around the city.

His most recent project involves a series of self-portraits, all of which capture him mid-dance in a variety of settings — the woods, the streets, a church. Many show Jou seemingly levitating off the ground. His goal is to reach 365 portraits in total.

"I think every dancer wants to express a certain something with his or her dance, and I didn't think the photos [others took] of me were expressing the emotions I wanted," Jou explains. "I try to look at each photo as a very specific story."

Ahead, 11 of the most striking images from his series.

More from Body

My Miscarriage Was “Common” — For Black Women That Is...

Content warning: This article contains graphic details of miscarriage, pregnancy loss, and the Black Maternal Health crisis. When I was 11, I was convinced

by Kathleen Newman-B...

I Feel Romantic Love Even If My Body Won’t Produce The Hormones

As 21-year-old Toria Christie scrolled through TikTok, she started to cry. “I was so sad when I first saw [those videos],” she tells me. “Like, so sa

What’s The Best Way To Relieve Period Cramps?

For some people, just imagining the pinching, aching, piercing abdominal pangs that come with their period is enough to make them want to assume the fetal

Why Your Period Symptoms Might Be Worse In The Winter

This story was originally published by our partners at The Conversation. Period symptoms are frustrating no matter the time of year. But some women and peo

by Jahnavi Daru

Dedicated Feature

It’s 2023 — Why Is There Still So Much Shame Around Peri...

From what I remember of one particular teen magazine in the early aughts, there was a monthly column that comprised submissions from readers who recounted

by Andrea Cheng

Voices of Disability

My 27 Tattoos Have Helped Me Reclaim My Chronic Pain

My life involves two kinds of needles. The first one is found at hospitals or doctor offices, a syringe that is used to test my blood, on the continuous qu

by Hannah Turner

Like Jorja Smith, My Weight Is None Of Your Business

Here’s something difficult to admit: the other day I scrolled through social media and came across a picture of an old friend who I assumed had put on so

by Shelby Smith

The Best Infrared Sauna Blankets To Make You Feel Like A Human Ho...

Out of all the wacky wellness trends out there — being pricked by acupressure mats, floating in dark pools of water — becoming a human hot pocket may

by Karina Hoshikawa

10 Prime Big Deal Days Massage Gun Sales To Keep Achy Muscles At Bay

We don’t know about you, but massage guns are pretty high up on our Amazon Prime Big Deal Day wishlists this year. The inevitable tech neck from neve

by Charlotte Lewis

My Hyperflexibility Was The Root Of So Many More Problems

Ellie Hopkins, 35, had always known she was bendy but never thought much of it. “I just thought it was normal. I assumed everyone could do the splits, or

by Sarah Graham

Dedicated Feature

Here’s What It Takes To Prep For A New College School Year

Summer is officially coming to an end — and for new and returning college students, that means major lifestyle changes are fast approaching. Whether you?

by Samantha Simon

Dedicated Feature

How Getting Breast Cancer In My 20s Changed My Relationship With ...

My day started out normal, a day like any other. It was the middle of summer last year, and I decided to go to the gym. After my workout, I went home and s

by Kianna Walker

R29 Original Series