Luca Sportelli

Where Dance Meets the Camera

Dynamic ballet dancer performing athletic split leap against dark background.

Born and raised in Italy, Luca’s story begins with a passion for movement, form, and storytelling. At just 17, he moved to the United States after earning a scholarship to the renowned San Francisco Ballet School. After  years of rigorous training, he launched an international ballet career, performing with companies across the U.S., Canada, China, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Despite navigating challenges in the industry, he carved out a space for himself through grit, heart, and unwavering artistry.


But life had other plans. Following a serious ACL injury in 2019, Luca found himself in an unexpected place—on the other side of the camera.


What started as a healing outlet quickly grew into a new calling. Today, Luca is the founder of Luca Sportelli Creations, a Medina, Ohio-based studio specializing in dance photography, headshots, creative portraits, and editorial-style imagery. His background as a professional dancer gives him an eye for detail that many photographers miss—he understands the line, technique, timing, and emotion behind each shot.


Luca’s work is defined by elegance, movement, and a modern editorial flair—blending the precision of classical dance with the bold storytelling of fashion photography. His sessions are collaborative, joyful, and tailored to bring out the personality and power of every subject, whether it’s a young dancer preparing for their first solo or a seasoned performer stepping into a new chapter.


Clients choose Luca not just for his technical skill, but for the experience he creates—an uplifting, empowering space where talent is celebrated and artistry is captured at its peak.


When he’s not in the studio or editing, you’ll find Luca photographing large-scale recital weeks, coaching ballet, or collaborating with brands and creatives who share his passion for excellence and expression.

Portrait of a photographer wearing glasses and an olive green shirt holding a Nikon camera with a cheerful expression.

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Professional headshot of bald man with beard in grey suit against blue backdrop.
Testimonials

Showed up “day one” in the new space and WOW! It looks amazing like it was established years ago. I loved working with Luca and how streamlined everything is. Just stop reading reviews and go get the photos you’ve always wanted! I bet you could do some beautiful aerial silk and all kinds of creative things in that space! Cheers!

Joshua

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Studio portrait featuring long wavy black hair and black top against dark background.
Testimonials

I definitely recommend Luca’s services! I struggled to find a photographer that fit my vision, but when I found Luca I was so pleased with his work i knew it’d be great. I absolutely loveddd my photos!


This was my first time having professional photos taken and he made the experience fun and easy. Will definitely be back!!!

Naomi

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A graceful ballet dancer performs multiple mid-air jumps and poses in an artistic sequence against a dark backdrop.
Testimonials

Luca perfectly captured the passion and dedication my daughter has for the art of ballet. From booking to the photoshoot, he was very professional and thorough with the details it made us excited for the day to come. Luca also helped my daughter with the poses because she wasn’t sure what pose she would look good doing. I was impressed because Luca was able to tell which poses she should do that would look great instantly! Luca made my daughter confident and happy the whole photoshoot. I wanted to see that happiness and her confidence through the photos… Luca perfectly captured everything I wanted for my daughter! I couldn’t have asked for a better experience!! So blessed to have worked with Luca!!

Jiino

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Athletic woman in black activewear and white sneakers jumps energetically against a dark purple background.
Testimonials

Amazing Dance Photography Experience!


I recently had a photoshoot with Luca and I couldn't be happier with the results! From the moment I contacted him, the communication was excellent. He was very accommodating with scheduling and made me feel comfortable throughout the shoot.


Luca really understands dance and was able to capture the movement and emotion beautifully. The shots turned out stunning, showcasing not only the technical aspects of my performance but also the artistry behind it.


The turnaround time for the edited photos was impressive, and the quality exceeded my expectations. I also appreciated the variety of angles and settings they offered, which added depth to the final collection.


I highly recommend Luca to anyone looking for professional dance photography. His passion for dance and photography truly shines through in his work!


Thank you for capturing such special moments!

Studio 614 Fitness

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A ballet dancer in white dress poses next to a towering Nutcracker figure with crown and sword against dark background.
Testimonials

Cleveland Ballet recently had the pleasure of working with Luca Sportelli Creations for a promotional photoshoot, and the experience was nothing short of amazing.


What sets Luca apart is not just his technical ability behind the camera, but his deep background in ballet. His understanding of movement, timing, and the importance of lighting and angles is evident in every shot. Each photograph not only captures the physicality of the dancers but also the emotion and artistry, bringing the beauty of ballet to life in still images.


His professionalism, attention to detail, and passion for both dance and photography make him a joy to work with. He took the time in advance to understand and develop the vision and desired outcome of the photoshoot. He also collaborates seamlessly with our dancers and creative team to ensure every shot is perfect.


We highly recommend Luca Sportelli Creations to anyone in the creative community looking for a photographer who truly understands the artistic and technical elements of dance. His work is a testament to his talent and dedication, and we look forward to working with him on future productions.

The Cleveland Ballet

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Fashion model wearing floral crop top and white pants poses against burgundy backdrop with wavy blonde hair.
Testimonials

I’ve had many shoots in my career as a dancer or just for fun and I have to say this one is one of my favorites!! Luca is so much fun and makes sure your entire shoot is professional, elegant, edgy, and flawless. His studio is top tier, pricing is very fair, and his personality is terrific. I cannot WAIT for my next shoot with him!

Elyza

Phone

+1 (330) 802-9300

 

Location

5010 Gateway Dr, Medina OH 44256

Email

lucasportellicreations@gmail.com