For Sonja Clark, owner of Moonbug Photography, every photograph is more than just an image. It’s a collaboration, a celebration of movement, and a moment of artistry preserved. Known throughout Indianapolis for her exceptional dance photography, Clark recently expanded her creative home into a new studio in Broad Ripple. The space reflects both her vision and her commitment to capturing dancers at their very best.
Clark didn’t set out to specialize in dance photography. In fact, she says her entry into the field was somewhat accidental.
Around 2010, while photographing families, kids, and high school seniors, she was approached by her son’s cello teacher, who also served as the director of marketing for the Indianapolis School of Ballet. They needed a photographer, and though Clark lacked a background in dance, she took on the challenge.
“I shot one of their performances just to prove myself, and it turned out I was pretty good at it,” she says.
What began as a one-time assignment quickly blossomed into a long-term collaboration. In 2018, the formation of the Indianapolis Ballet Company marked the moment Clark was ready to take her skills to the next level. Photographing professionals deepened her passion and honed her skills, solidifying her as one of the area’s top dance photographers.
Dance photography is not for the faint of heart. Clark says capturing a dancer mid-performance requires working in low light, handling fast movements, and timing shots precisely to highlight the peak of the pose. Modern LED stage lighting complicates matters further, sometimes leaving visible stripes across photos.
“There’s so much precision required,” Clark says. “In ballet especially, every part of the body has to be in the right place … feet turned out, shoulders aligned, hands perfect. And every photo has to be approved by the dancer before it’s shared. They have to love how they look because these photos also represent a professional portfolio. Students are met where they are at. Perfection is not the expectation. We want them to do their personal best and leave the studio feeling confident and proud.”
Clark’s success is not just a result of her technical skills, but also her collaborative approach. She shoots tethered, projecting images onto a monitor so dancers can review their poses in real-time. This enables continuous feedback and adjustment, making the dancers an integral part of the creative process.
“It’s always a collaboration,” she says. “The dancers know how they look best, and I always take that into account. Sometimes we start with one pose and end up with something completely different. It’s part of the creative process.”
Adding to the expertise, Clark works closely with her assistant, Greg Goessner, a former Indianapolis Ballet dancer and current ballet teacher. His insights help fine-tune poses and ensure the technical accuracy that dancers demand.
In August, Clark officially opened the doors to her new studio in Broad Ripple. Her previous space, a repurposed church near 64th and Hoover, had served its purpose but never truly felt like her own. The Broad Ripple location, however, not only fulfills her needs but also brings new opportunities for the local community. It’s a space where local artists can collaborate, families can create lasting memories, and professionals can get high-quality portraits.
“I’ve had my eye on this building for years,” she says. “It’s bigger, it’s mine, and I can finally set everything up the way I want. Plus, I needed at least 12-foot ceilings for dancers, which made finding the right spot a real challenge.”
The new studio also boasts a sprung floor covered with Marley, a professional-grade surface that provides the support and safety dancers need.
“They should never be jumping on concrete,” Clark says. “This space allows them to move safely and freely, and that makes all the difference.”
While dance remains at the heart of Moonbug Photography, the new space allows Clark to diversify her offerings. Half of her business is 317 Headshots, her corporate and professional portrait brand, and the new studio gives her more flexibility to serve both markets.
With features like a massive glass garage door, she can now work with natural light for lifestyle sessions, host family shoots, and even rent out the space for other creatives.
“Next week, I have a family of eight coming in for a Vanity Fair-style shoot,” she says. “That wouldn’t have been possible in my old space.”
Plans include art shows, community events, and eventually building a team of photographers to expand Moonbug’s reach. Clark’s long-term vision is clear: sustainable growth. She deliberately named her business Moonbug Photography instead of using her own name, ensuring the brand could grow beyond herself.
“I always wanted the option to bring on staff, to create something bigger than just me,” she says.
Clark is looking forward to integrating even more with the Broad Ripple community. This fall, she participated in the neighborhood’s Third Thursday events with a grand opening celebration, and she plans to continue engaging with local artists and businesses.
Above all, Clark remains committed to the artistry of collaboration. Whether photographing a principal dancer in mid-leap or a corporate professional in need of a polished headshot, she approaches each session with the same philosophy: to make her subjects look and feel their best.
“I’m always open to collaborations with other artists and businesses,” she says. “At the end of the day, it’s about creating something together.”
For more information, visit moonbugphotography.com.
