The project is a collaboration between artists: Ortega conceived the idea after being introduced to Braun's work and found that his vivid, colorful nature photography inspired a wealth of choreographic possibilities. "His work is simply gorgeous," Ortega said. "I can't even think of words to describe it. He has the incredible ability to tune in to something specific in nature and bring it into focus."

Indeed, the acclaimed Braun's work covers the gamut of nature photography; subjects of his photos range from broad, sweeping landscapes to the most detailed of macro images, like water on a blade of grass. Braun, 75, hails from San Anselmo, and has displayed his work in some of the nation's premier galleries, including San Francisco's Museum of Modern Art and New York's Time-Life Gallery. He has published six books featuring his photography and has garnered awards from the prestigious "Life Magazine" and the San Francisco Art Directors Club.

With inspiration in place, Ortega took to the studio and began creating movement. She enlisted the help of her contemporaries in the dance world, and the result is an interdisciplinary evening of choreography. Ortega joins contemporary dancers with performers trained in various forms of Indian dance to bring her inspiration to the stage.

The dance program opens with "Sunrise," featuring Odissi dancer Visnu Tattva Das, followed by "Three Cormorants," danced by contemporary dancers Hilary Kretchmer, Diane Harvey and Amy Willats. The next section of the work, titled, "In the Meadow," is a series of contemporary solos: "Poppy," "Iris," "Fiddleneck," "Wild Radish" and "Madrone." Bharata Natyam dancer Barbara Framm and Kathak dancer Antonia Minnecola dance "Living Water," and "Sunset" concludes the program with all of the dancers returning to the stage.

Ortega said her choice to blend Indian and contemporary dance styles was the best way she could see to complement Braun's photographs. "I'm using their style to tell the story," she said, but since she herself is trained in ballet, jazz and contemporary dance, the result is a meld of styles. "It is a very contemporary work, and not traditional," she said.

The work wouldn't be complete, however, without the additional input of and collaboration with local composers as well. Ortega worked side-by-side with four different musicians: Kit Walker on piano; Moses Sedler on cello; Mark Susnow with the clarinet; and Dana Pandey playing tabla and percussion. "I am very excited to have had the opportunity to work with these musicians. By all working together, the process of sculpting the music with the form really came together well."

It didn't hurt that all of the artists - dancers and musicians both - were inspired by Braun's photos as well. "They were just as excited about the images as I was," Ortega said. She certainly hopes the audience is just as moved. "I'm very honored to be using Braun's work, and to have that as an inspiration," the choreographer said "I hope that through the movement the audience gets a sense of the feelings I get when I see these pictures. Braun has a very deep soul that is evident in his work. I hope "Images to Live with" comes off as a show with a lot of heart."