Horses and artists perform a mix a quiet theater and fast equestrian action during a press screening of Cavalia at Marymoor Park in Redmond on Tuesday, January 17, 2012. More photos after the jump…

Irina Akimova, of the Ukraine, practices her hoops routine on stage for the upcoming Cirque Du Soleil production, KOOZA, at Marymoor Park in Redmond on Tuesday, June 1. The images above were shot at a 1-second exposure, hand-held creating the dream-like quality of light and motion. More images and look in the Artistic Tent after the jump…

Yesterday I was assigned to photograph the raising of the big top tent for the new Cirque du Soleil production of KOOZA at Marymoor Park in Redmond. As I pulled up to parking lot it dawned on me to try to make a time-lapse of the raising. Not to shabby for a first attempt, but definitely learned a few things, including a”duh” moment when I forgot to lock my focus ring. You can see a few changes of autofocus in the last part of the time-lapse. Check it out, and I hope to find an assignment that will provide the opportunity to try again.