The Second Half Photography

The Second Half Photography Former breast surgeon turned photographer — I traded the OR for the sidelines, still chasing focus, precision & heart.

The Second Half Photography — telling the stories of young athletes so they can see what the world already sees. 📸✨ Since 2014, I worked as a breast surgical oncologist, empowering women through their journeys with breast cancer treatment. It was deeply meaningful work that shaped who I am. But after three years of juggling spine surgeries, in 2025, I knew it was time to make big changes in the se

cond half of my career. I put down the scalpel and picked up a camera. I want to continue empowering girls, women, and anyone who’s ever felt unseen — capturing their strength, beauty, and spirit in every frame. Through the lens of my camera, photography has become more than a creative outlet; it’s a way to help people truly see themselves at their strongest, most beautiful, and most genuine. From the grit of an athlete mid-game, to the confidence radiating in a senior portrait, to the quiet power of an unguarded moment, my goal is always the same: to reflect back their worth, their truth, and the undeniable spark of their spirit. I want every girl to walk away knowing she is powerful, capable, and unforgettable. Now, you’ll most often find me courtside, camera in hand, capturing my two basketball-loving daughters in action. It’s a world away from the operating room, yet still rooted in the same principles: focus, precision, and heart. Here’s to fresh starts, unexpected turns, finding power and beauty in the shift, and to making every second half count.

06/03/2026

No two left feet in this amazing group of girls! Good luck at Nationals this week!

Three weeks ago, I walked into my very first dance studio photo day.A former surgeon with cameras, a million ideas, and ...
05/31/2026

Three weeks ago, I walked into my very first dance studio photo day.

A former surgeon with cameras, a million ideas, and absolutely no idea how much I was about to fall in love with dance.

To Debbie's Dance Studio ~ DDS: thank you for taking a chance on me.

To the competition dancers, the recital dancers, the first-time ballerinas, the girls missing more teeth than they had left, the dancers carrying costume #17 of the day with a smile, and every young lady in between—you were extraordinary.

I was constantly in awe.

To the older dancers who volunteered their time to help the younger girls (and me), thank you. You guided nervous dancers, fixed costumes, answered questions, and made every little girl feel like the star of the show. Every dancer deserves to feel that way on recital photo day.

To my behind-the-scenes crew—the hair fluffers, dress straighteners, hype squad, chaos controllers, and unofficial quality assurance department—thank you for showing up every single time. We are definitely getting our own choreography down.

And to the dance moms: I see you.

I see the costume changes, the rehearsals, the driving, the bun-making, the garment bags (I need to get one of those for sure!), the snack bags, the emergency sewing kits, and yes... the professional makeup appointments. Genius move.

Most of all, thank you for trusting me with your daughters.

Photography is art, and art is personal. Every photographer brings a different eye, a different style, and a different vision. I have tremendous respect for the photographers who came before me, especially those who have mentored and encouraged me along the way. My hope is not to recreate someone else's work, but to create something uniquely my own while celebrating these incredible dancers.

What I hope every dancer felt when they stepped in front of my camera was celebrated.

Not perfect.

Celebrated.

Because that's what I saw.

I saw confidence.

I saw courage.

I saw joy.

I saw young women doing incredible things.

And if these past few weeks were any indication, I think we're just getting started.

As for next year...

I already have ideas.

Sequins are forever. ✨

Love,

Anna

50+ galleries4500+ edited photos1 tired (but very happy) photographer Happy Dance Recital Weekend!
05/30/2026

50+ galleries
4500+ edited photos
1 tired (but very happy) photographer

Happy Dance Recital Weekend!

Photo collection by The Second Half Photography

Current status after approximately 112 years of editing dance photos:AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! 😱✨💃The good news: I'm ALMOST finis...
05/29/2026

Current status after approximately 112 years of editing dance photos:

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! 😱✨💃

The good news: I'm ALMOST finished. Stay with me, people. Stay with me.

These dancers were not about to let me photograph only one costume. 😂✨Between group photos and recital photos, some of t...
05/29/2026

These dancers were not about to let me photograph only one costume. 😂✨

Between group photos and recital photos, some of these sweet girls patiently waited for their chance to step back in front of the camera and show off ALL the costumes, ALL the poses, and ALL the personality.

Honestly, I was just trying to keep up!

📸 Reminder, parents: If your dancer was photographed separately from their group, these images can be found in the Individual/Solo collection in the gallery!

So many important decisions were made this week… 💃✨Pom poms or no pom poms.First position or fourth.Pop to the right or ...
05/28/2026

So many important decisions were made this week… 💃✨

Pom poms or no pom poms.
First position or fourth.
Pop to the right or left.
Firebird or grand jeté.

But whether or not to carry the lipstick purse? 💄👜

That was never up for debate. Ladies ALWAYS carry the lipstick purse.

One minute it’s the sweetest little ballerinas melting my heart… next it’s lyrical dancers floating through Stars… and t...
05/28/2026

One minute it’s the sweetest little ballerinas melting my heart… next it’s lyrical dancers floating through Stars… and then the divas roll in wearing camo pants and attitude 😎✨

The range these dancers have is honestly unreal 💕🎭

Still editing. Still uploading. Still completely obsessed.

Wishing I still had this level of energy at midnight - wait, it's only 7:30 😅💃✨These Debbie's Dance Studio ~ DDS dancers...
05/28/2026

Wishing I still had this level of energy at midnight - wait, it's only 7:30 😅💃✨

These Debbie's Dance Studio ~ DDS dancers keep bursting through every creative idea I throw at them, and I can’t wait to get back at it tomorrow.

A quick reminder as we get closer to the real recital production 🎭:
If your dance title/gallery hasn’t been loaded yet, I have absolutely not forgotten you. The gallery is still actively under production, and more dances are being added every day this week.

Now somebody send snacks and caffeine ☕😂. Maybe/probably wine.

Debbie's Dance Studio ~ DDS Monticello dance families… your gallery link is heading to your email NOW 💃✨The gallery is o...
05/27/2026

Debbie's Dance Studio ~ DDS Monticello dance families… your gallery link is heading to your email NOW 💃✨

The gallery is officially open while STILL IN PRODUCTION 🎭💕 I’ll be uploading Monticello dancers throughout the week as editing is completed, so if you don’t see your dancer yet, keep checking back!

A tiny sneak peek while I keep working because recital weekend waits for no one 😅🩰

📱 Friendly reminder: Sneak peek images are watermarked and may not be copied, cropped, edited, or altered. High-resolution, watermark-free images are available through the gallery.

Now back to editing I go ☕🔥

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Monticello, IL

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