Please join me in welcoming Makenley (@dancingwith_makenley) as our newest dance ambassador! Makenley dances at Showbiz Kidz Dance Studio, and while this was our first official session together as ambassador and photographer, I’ve actually been photographing her for years — both at her studio and at various special photo experiences I’ve offered.
Makenley is talented well beyond her years, and these sunflower field shots prove it. I can’t wait to see what we create together in the year ahead.
Rounding out the River Experience session is Vasilia, a dance ambassador in training who continues to impress with her posing ability well beyond her experience level. She dances at West Jersey Youth Ballet, right alongside her sister Lily.
Vasilia was also the only dancer brave enough to try a hair flip in the water — and the result speaks for itself.
New dance ambassador Claire (@Claire.dancing) joined the River Experience session, and she continues to impress every time she’s in front of my camera. Claire dances at West Jersey Youth Ballet, and her comfort in the water showed from the very first splash.
Dance ambassador Rylea (@balletlifeofrylea) joined me for a session in my River Experience series — and the weather had other plans for us. Right before we started, it was a warm 85 degrees. Then a summer downpour rolled through and delayed us, dropping the temperature into the mid-70s by the time we got going. The upside: all that rain left behind a beautiful river fog that became the perfect backdrop for these portraits.
Rylea dances at both West Jersey Youth Ballet and Easton Ballet Academy, and it shows in the control and presence she brought to every pose, fog and all.
Returning dance ambassador Lily (@lilyana.en.pointe) joined me for a session with a twist — dance portraits in a nearby river. Lily dances at West Jersey Youth Ballet, and she brought the same control and presence to the water that she brings to the studio, turning every splash into part of the composition.
Meet Becky, our newest dance ambassador! Becky dances at West Jersey Youth Ballet (@westjerseyyouthballet), and even though this is her first time joining as an ambassador, her posing skills are far from beginner level — it shows in every frame.
Most of this set was shot in the sunflower field, with one bonus image from a nearby wooden gazebo just next door.
So glad to have Amelia (@ameliarosedancer) back as one of our dance ambassadors! Amelia dances at West Jersey Youth Ballet (@westjerseyyouthballet), and this was her very first time out in the sunflower field for a session. She did a fantastic job adapting to the outdoor setting, and the results speak for themselves.
Please join me in welcoming Kayley (@kayleyinmotion) as our newest dance ambassador! Kayley dances at West Jersey Youth Ballet (@westjerseyyouthballet), and she comes from serious dance lineage — her older sister Sydney is a current dance ambassador, and another sister, Zoey, is a past dance ambassador who has also helped out as a photo assistant.
One thing that makes Kayley unique: alongside dance, she also performs with a local youth circus. You can spot her Lambertville Youth Circus t-shirt in a few of these shots, right before she traded it for her dance costume.
We even got a shot of Kayley with her sister Sydney together in the sunflower field — always a treat when siblings can share a session.
I’m so glad to have Sydney (@squidneykdancer_2012) returning as one of my dance ambassadors this year. Sydney dances at West Jersey Youth Ballet (@westjerseyyouthballet), and this session took us out into a sunflower field at golden hour, then over to a nearby wooden gazebo to keep the fun going a little longer.
I’m so happy to have Elijah (@elijahinthearts) returning as one of my dance ambassadors this year. Elijah dances at West Jersey Youth Ballet, and on top of that, he’s also a model and an actor.
One nice thing about being a guy who dances: there’s always a long line of talented dancers ready to pair up for a duet. These images are some of our favorites from a recent sunflower portrait session with a few of my dance ambassadors — Sydney, Becky, and Lenora out in the sunflower field, and a bonus stop in the wooden gazebo next door with Kayley, once everyone was up for a bit more.
