Category Archives: behind the lens

Showtime! Live from the State Theatre for the 2026 Freddy Awards

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The wait is over. The red carpet is rolled out, the “on-air” lights are glowing, and the energy inside the State Theatre in Easton is absolutely off the charts. Tonight is the culmination of months of hard work, talent, and passion from high school theater departments across the Lehigh Valley and beyond.

It’s the 2026 Freddy Awards, and there is truly nothing like it.

The Electricity of Live TV

Walking into the theater on show night is a sensory experience. You have the roar of the student sections, the flash of the paparazzi on the red carpet, and the silent, focused intensity of the WFMZ-TV crew as they prepare for a three-hour live broadcast. For a photographer, this is the ultimate challenge and the ultimate reward.

From the second the opening number begins until the final trophy is handed out, my goal is to capture the raw, unscripted emotion of the night. Whether it’s the tearful embrace of a supporting actor winner, the sheer athleticism of an ensemble production number, or the quiet moment of a soloist taking their final bow—these are the memories that deserve to be preserved forever.

A Community United

What always amazes me about the Freddys is the community. While these schools are technically “competing,” the atmosphere backstage and in the house feels more like a massive family reunion. Rivalries are set aside for a shared love of the stage. Watching 31 schools come together to celebrate each other’s successes is what makes being the official photographer for this program such an honor year after year.

Relive the Night: The 2026 Galleries

The show may end tonight, but the memories don’t have to. I am working around the clock to process and upload the thousands of images captured throughout this week—from the early soloist rehearsals to tonight’s grand finale.

Parents, Cast, and Crew: You can view, share, and purchase your favorite moments from tonight’s historic show, as well as our complete archive from years past, at the link below:

👉 Dabour Photography Freddy Awards Hub

Keep refreshing the gallery throughout the weekend as new batches of 2026 photos drop!

Congratulations to every student, teacher, and volunteer who made the 2026 Freddy Awards a night to remember. Now, let’s get the show started!

Some of my favorite images from last year’s 2025 Freddy Awards

Tech Week Day 3: Where the Magic Happens—Dress Rehearsal & TV Prep

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If you ask anyone involved in the Freddy Awards which day is the most pivotal, you might hear “Thursday.” But if you ask me the Freddy Awards photographer, the answer is always Wednesday.

Wednesday is where the magic truly happens. It is the bridge between the raw rehearsals of early tech week and the high-octane live broadcast of the awards ceremony. It is the day the State Theatre transforms into a full-scale television studio, and for me, it is the most rewarding day of the year to be behind the lens.

The Professional Shift: TV Prep

Walking into the theater on Wednesday evening feels different. The WFMZ-TV crew is all set up, their cameras positioned, and the production team is in “watching and learning” mode. They are mapping out every camera angle and every lighting cue, following a nearly identical tech rehearsal of the entire three-hour show. Watching the synergy between the theatrical performers and the television professionals is a masterclass in production.

The Visual Explosion: Full Costumes

This is the moment everyone has been waiting for. Wednesday is the first time all the actors, soloists, and ensembles are in full costume performing together on the State Theatre stage.

The transition from rehearsal hoodies and sneakers to vibrant, theatrical costumes is an explosion of color and character. It changes the way the students carry themselves—they aren’t just rehearsing anymore; they are the characters.

Why It’s My Favorite Day

As a photographer, Wednesday is my “gold mine” day. Because it is a dress rehearsal and not a live broadcast with a seated audience, I have the flexibility to capture the best possible action shots without the constraints of a live crowd or the strict sightlines of the actual ceremony. I get to document the sweat, the smiles, the intricate details of the costumes, and the peak energy of the routines. This is where I capture the “hero shots” that end up being favorites for years to come.

Dress rehearsal photo of the 2025 Freddy Awards. Photo by DAVE DABOUR Photography
Dress rehearsal photo of the 2025 Freddy Awards. Photo by DAVE DABOUR Photography

The countdown to the red carpet is almost over! If you’re a cast member or a parent, make sure you have the link ready to go. You can view all the magic from this week and our entire history of the Freddy Awards right here:

Dabour Photography Freddy Awards Gallery

Keep checking back—as soon as the magic from today is processed, it will be landing in the 2026 gallery!

Tech Week Day 2: First Steps on the Main Stage for Nominated Schools

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If Monday night at the State Theatre is about quiet focus, Tuesday is all about pure, electric excitement. Today is the day the tech week energy really starts to amplify as the nominated schools arrive for their very first stage run-throughs.

For a high school theater student, there is nothing quite like the moment you walk through those backstage doors and look out into the beautiful, historic auditorium of the State Theatre. For many, it’s a dream they’ve been working toward all year—or all four years of high school.

The Grand Transition

The logistics of Tuesday are a masterclass in theatrical coordination. The students from the nominated schools arrive at different scheduled and gets acclimated to the massive stage, and runs through their blocking. They are transitioning from their hometown high school auditoriums to a massive professional house, and you can see the sheer awe on their faces the second they hit the stage.

They work through their spacing, get a feel for the acoustics, and get a taste of what the live broadcast night is going to feel like. Alongside the individual school numbers, the opening and closing ensembles are right back at it, seamlessly fitting their massive choreography into the space.

Capturing the Awe

From behind the lens, Tuesday is a goldmine for genuine emotion. I love capturing the wide-eyed looks of the students looking up at the balcony, the backstage high-fives, the nervous giggles, and the sudden realization of “Wow, we are really here.” Even in their rehearsal clothes, the performances have an incredible spark of energy.

Nazareth Area HS ‘Seussical’ rehearse for the 2025 Freddy Awards on Tuesday, May 12 2025. Photo by DAVE DABOUR Photography

As we head toward the mid-week dress rehearsals, the excitement is only going up from here! Parents, cast members, and fans—don’t miss a single memory from this week or years past.

You can find all of our extensive event archives, and eventually all of this year’s fresh 2026 action, over at the Dabour Photography Freddy Awards Gallery. Head over now to grab your keepsakes and bookmark the page for this weekend’s upcoming galleries!

Tech Week Begins: The Soloist On Stage with Tech & The Calm Before the Freddy’s Storm

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There is a distinct shift in the air at the State Theatre in Easton when Freddy Awards tech week officially kicks off. The marquee is lit, the energy is building, and Monday night brings a very specific, focused kind of magic to the stage.

Tonight, the theater isn’t packed with cheering fans or school sections chanting their rallying cries just yet. Instead, it belongs to the soloists and the hardworking members of the opening and closing numbers.

The Art of the Polish

Monday is all about precision. The soloists return to the stage to fine-tune their performances, adjusting to the massive scale of the State Theatre lines and getting a feel for the space. Watching them command that stage completely on their own is always a reminder of the immense talent anchoring this entire event.

Alongside them, the massive ensembles for the opening and closing numbers are busy polishing their routines. Without the costumes, the orchestra, or the television cameras rolling yet, you get to see the raw dedication that goes into this show. It’s a night of counting steps, adjusting formations, and finding that perfect synchronicity.

Capturing the Focus

As a photographer, I love the quiet intensity of Monday night. The lighting is being dialed in, the kids are in casual clothes or rehearsal gear, and you can capture genuine moments of concentration, backstage encouragement, and the sheer grit it takes to put on a broadcast-level production.

While I’m gearing up to capture all of this week’s incredible moments, the archives are fully open! Parents, cast members, and theater fans can relive the magic of past ceremonies right now.

Head over to the Dabour Photography Freddy Awards Gallery to view and purchase images from previous years, and make sure to bookmark the page so you’re ready when the 2026 galleries start to drop!

Artistic Dance Portraits with Lucy

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ballet dancer with a tutu on sitting on a white posing block
Dramatic artistic portrait of Lucy

Working with Lucy is always a highlight. I’ve had the pleasure of photographing her for several years. She brings creativity, focus, and a willingness to explore new ideas every time we collaborate. This session was no exception — she stepped into each pose with confidence and artistry, even when I asked her to try movements she had never done before.

dancer in white with a large tutu on and crown with eyes closed feeling the light above her face
Lucy wearing a beautiful white tutu and costume feeling the light above her head

For this session, we explored a mix of artistic lighting and dramatic. The combination of movement and light created a series of portraits that feel bold, expressive, and full of emotion.

Lucy adapted beautifully to every setup, moving like a seasoned pro and bringing her own interpretation to each moment. These images highlight not only her talent, but the power of dance to tell a story through shape, shadow, and stillness.

Ballet dancer in white on pointe with smoke behind her
Lucy on pointe as a snow queen

Sessions like this remind me why I love what I do. When trust, creativity, and movement come together, the results speak for themselves. I’m grateful to have the opportunity to photography Lucy who bring so much heart and dedication to the studio.

ballet dancer sitting on the floor in white looking to the side with smoke behind her
Lucy as a ballet dancer sitting on a floor against a dark blue backdrop with artistic smoke behind her

Amelia’s Artistic Dance Session

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Dancer in navy leotard performing expressive pose on white cube with dramatic lighting.
Amelia balanced strength and grace in this contemporary pose — a striking moment of control and emotion.

Amelia and I recently collaborated on an artistic dance portrait session, and I couldn’t be more thrilled with the results. She’s one of my dance ambassadors, and every time we work together, she brings poise, creativity, and a willingness to explore new ideas.

Ballet dancer silhouetted against red background with arms extended and head tilted back.
Amelia’s silhouette radiates drama and strength — a bold moment in motion.

This session included both silhouette work and dramatic lighting setups. I probably asked her to try poses she’d never done before — but you wouldn’t know it. She moved with the confidence and grace of a seasoned pro, adapting instantly and making each frame feel intentional and expressive.

Ballet dancer in arabesque silhouette against vibrant blue background, wearing white tutu.
A classic arabesque captured in silhouette — elegance and precision in perfect balance.

From bold shapes to quiet emotion, Amelia delivered a range of looks that highlight not just her talent, but the power of dance to tell a story. These portraits are a testament to what happens when trust, artistry, and light come together.

Dancer in navy leotard and sheer skirt posing with raised arms under studio lighting.
Emotion in motion — Amelia’s expressive pose brings storytelling to the forefront.