Today we’re celebrating one of my original ambassadors — Olivia (@oliviaklovesballet). Every time she steps in front of the camera, she brings more strength, artistry, and quiet determination than the time before. Her steady growth and dedication to her craft are a joy to witness.
Whether she’s dancing with West Jersey Youth Ballet, teaming up with Vivi for portraits, or joining specialty sessions with her sister Brielle, Olivia always shows up ready to work, ready to grow, and ready to create something beautiful.
Happy Birthday, Olivia! Here’s to another year of artistry, confidence, and new creative moments ahead.
Today we’re celebrating one of the most dedicated and artistic dancers on our ambassador team — Lily (@lilyana.en_pointe). From studio portraits to sunflower fields, the Silk Mill, and Columcille, she brings intention, grace, and a beautiful work ethic to every session.
Her flexibility (thank you, homeschooling!) and her passion for dance make creating with her such a joy. I’m grateful she’s part of this ambassador family and excited for everything she’ll continue to grow into this year.
Happy Birthday, Lily! Here’s to another year of artistry, confidence, and unforgettable moments.
Today we’re celebrating one of the most creative and multi‑talented artists on our ambassador team — Elijah (@elijahinthearts). Whether he’s dancing, acting, modeling, or teaming up for one of his signature duets, he brings energy, imagination, and heart into every session.
It’s been amazing watching him grow across so many art forms, and I’m grateful for every moment we’ve created together.
Happy Birthday, Elijah! Here’s to another year of creativity, confidence, and big artistic adventures ahead.
Today we’re celebrating one of the brightest young artists on our ambassador team — Rylea (@balletlifeofrylea). Thoughtful, dedicated, and quietly powerful, she brings so much heart to every session we create together. Whether she’s stepping onto a stage, exploring a new location, or sharing her ideas between shots, she always shows up with intention and grace.
Watching her grow this year — as a dancer, as an artist, and as a collaborator — has been a joy. I’m grateful she’s part of this ambassador family, and I can’t wait to see what she creates next.
Happy Birthday, Rylea! Here’s to another year of creativity, confidence, and beautiful moments ahead.
There’s something incredibly special about watching a performer grow up through my lens. Molly is no stranger to my camera—I’ve been photographing her since she was a young girl, and it has been a privilege to document her evolution into the dancer she is today.
In the world of dance, Molly almost had a “destiny” on the stage. With both of her older sisters being dancers—and now both teaching at Showbiz Kidz Dance Center in Lopatcong, NJ—Molly was practically born into the studio culture.
Beyond the Recital Schedule
Early SBK 2026 dance portraits by Dave Dabour Photography
While picture days at the studio are always a whirlwind of energy, the tight schedule often means we have to move quickly. To really capture the range and artistry Molly is capable of, I offered her some additional dedicated studio time.
This allowed us to slow down, experiment with lighting, and create the specific images we both had in mind. The results are some of my favorite portraits to date! The extra time truly let her personality and technical skill shine without the rush of a standard rehearsal day.
What’s Next?
I am so thrilled with how these turned out, and I’m even more excited for the future. I’m hoping to have Molly join us as a Dabour Photography Ambassador for the upcoming season. She represents everything I love about dance photography: dedication, history, and a true passion for the craft.
It was such a pleasure returning to work with the talented dancers of the West Jersey Youth Ballet for their annual recital portraits. Every year brings something special, but this season felt particularly energized.
The highlight of this year’s picture day was definitely the new studio space. Having a studio that is both wider and taller made a world of difference for the technical side of the shoot. The extra room allowed for more dynamic posing and better lighting angles, making the entire process smoother for both the dancers and the photography team.
It was also wonderful to see so many familiar faces; several of my Dance Ambassadors train here, and their professionalism and passion always shine through the lens. From the youngest performers to the most seasoned dancers, the dedication in the room was palpable.
I’m already looking forward to seeing these beautiful routines come to life on stage when I return to record their recital video next month!
Happy Birthday, Hope! Today, we are turning up the music and striking a pose for a very special member of the Dabour Photography family. Please join me in wishing a very Happy Birthday to our wonderful Dance Ambassador, Hope!
A Multi-Talented Force in Motion Hope is far more than just a “face” for our studio; she is a powerhouse of creativity and discipline. As a fantastic dancer and an innovative choreographer, she brings a unique perspective to every session we create together. Watching her translate emotion into movement is always a highlight of my work, and her artistic growth over the years has been nothing short of inspiring.
The Road to Miss New Jersey Beyond the dance studio, Hope is currently on a mission that requires just as much grace, poise, and dedication. She is officially in the quest to regain the Miss New Jersey crown!
At Dabour Photography, we believe in supporting the dreams of our ambassadors. That’s why I am thrilled to announce that I am officially sponsoring Hope in her pageant journey. From the stage lights of the theater to the spotlight of the pageant runway, Hope carries herself with a level of professionalism and kindness that makes her a true role model for young women across the state.
Join the Celebration Hope, we hope your day is as spectacular as one of your performances! We are so proud to have you representing our brand and even prouder to support you as you chase that crown.
Let’s show Hope some birthday love in the comments below!
How cool is it when you’re walking through a store and suddenly see one of your dance ambassadors modeling the clothes on display? That’s exactly what happened with Elijah — or as you’ll find him online, @elijahinthearts. Elijah isn’t just a dancer; he’s an actor and a model, and he brings that same expressive, magnetic energy into every session we create together.
Every ambassador brings something unique to the Dabour Photography family, but Hope brings a spark all her own. Although she was the last to officially join this year’s ambassador team, she is anything but last when it comes to talent, drive, and presence. Hope is one of those dancers who steps into a space and immediately elevates it — not just as a performer, but as a creator.
Hope is no stranger to the stage. She doesn’t just dance; she choreographs, shapes movement, and tells stories through motion. That artistic instinct shows up in every session we’ve done together. She understands lines, shapes, and emotion in a way that makes photographing her feel effortless.
Our journey actually started long before she became an ambassador. I first met Hope back in 2019 when she was Miss New Jersey, greeting the community with the same warmth and confidence she brings to the studio today. Not long after, she jumped in front of my camera again — this time as the featured dancer for a local community theater group. Even then, she had that unmistakable presence that makes you stop and pay attention.
Dance Ambassador Hope, @misscentraljerseycoastline_nj, making a splash during a Rain Machine Experience session. Photo by Dave Dabour Photography.
When I launched my Rain Machine Experience, Hope was one of the first to dive in — literally. She embraced the challenge, the mess, the drama, and created some of the most striking images from the entire series. And the moment the Powder Experience became available, she was right there again, ready to push boundaries and explore something new. That willingness to experiment, to trust the process, and to bring her full self to every concept is exactly what makes her such a powerful ambassador.
Beyond dance, Hope continues to shine in the pageant world. She is currently Miss Central Jersey Coastline (@misscentraljerseycoastline_nj), using her platform to engage in community initiatives, share life skills, and inspire others with her leadership. Her personal Instagram, @ki3hl, offers a glimpse into just how much she juggles — and how gracefully she does it.
Hope is just as busy as I am. She’s a full‑time high school teacher, a choreographer, and an active contributor to multiple community programs. Her ability to balance so many roles while still showing up with energy, creativity, and heart is nothing short of impressive.
And we’re not done yet. I’ll soon be working with Hope on a special project designed to help advance her career, and I’m genuinely excited for what’s ahead. Collaborating with her is always a privilege, and I look forward to continuing that journey in the future.
Hope may have been the final ambassador added to the team, but she closes this year’s spotlight series with strength, style, and a story that ties everything together. I’m grateful our paths crossed years ago, and even more grateful they continue to cross in new and exciting ways.
Here’s to Hope — dancer, choreographer, educator, creator, and an incredible addition to the Dabour Photography Dance Ambassador family.
Some dancers make an impression the moment you meet them — not because they’re the loudest in the room, but because of the quiet confidence they carry with them. Rylea (@balletlifeofrylea) is one of those dancers. This is her first year as one of my dance ambassadors, and from the very beginning she’s shown me exactly why she belongs here.
My first impression of Rylea was that she was soft‑spoken but approachable — the kind of dancer who listens, observes, and then surprises you with thoughtful conversation when you least expect it. In between locations during sessions, she’s always willing to chat, and not with one‑word answers either. She shares what she likes, what she’s working on, what inspires her. Those moments matter to me. They help me understand the dancer behind the technique.
I first met Rylea when she came to me for a headshot session for some summer intensives she wanted to apply to. Even then, I noticed her attention to detail. That trait showed up again during picture day at West Jersey Youth Ballet, her home studio. She reached out afterward because she noticed one of her poses wasn’t included in the final delivery. She wasn’t upset — she was curious. Was it blurry? Was something off? She genuinely liked the pose and wanted to understand. I checked, and she was absolutely right: it was a great image that somehow didn’t make the cut. That level of awareness is rare, especially in a younger dancer.
Fast forward to this year’s ambassador program. I put out a call looking for one or two volunteers to help me test a new location. Within 30 minutes, I had six replies. I figured that was more than enough… and then Rylea messaged me asking if it was too late. I told her I already had more dancers than I needed. Then she mentioned she lived in the town where the shoot was happening. That sealed it — of course she had to come. I invited her to join me the next evening while I was photographing senior portraits, and she fit right into the flow. But then she surprised me and showed up that night not expecting to be photographed – but to support her dance friends!
Dabour Photography dance ambassadors at the State Theatre of the Arts on September 23, 2025. Photo by DAVE DABOUR PhotographyDabour Photography dance ambassadors at the State Theatre of the Arts on September 23, 2025. Photo by DAVE DABOUR Photography
One of the moments that truly solidified her ambassador status happened at the State Theatre of the Arts in Easton, PA. Most of my ambassadors attended the invite‑only session, but Rylea’s mom let me know she had school picture day and could only stay for the first hour. So we made it work. We started with group portraits on the stage, and then I photographed Rylea first. She may be one of my younger ambassadors, but when she stepped onto that stage, she owned it. Her first few solo portraits were exactly the images I had envisioned when planning the entire event. She didn’t just rise to the occasion — she defined it.
Dance portraits during a photo walk in Easton, PA on Oct 26, 2025. Photo by DAVE DABOUR PhotographyDance portraits during a photo walk in Easton, PA on Oct 26, 2025. Photo by DAVE DABOUR Photography
Since then, we’ve created even more together: studio sessions, artistic concepts, specialty portraits, and a photo walk in Easton with Elijah that turned into one of those perfect evenings — golden light, great energy, and portfolio‑level images at every stop.
Rylea is thoughtful, dedicated, and quietly powerful in a way that makes you pay attention. I’m grateful she’s part of this ambassador team, and I’m excited for the years ahead — especially the duets I already see forming in my mind.
Here’s to many more sessions, more creativity, and more beautiful art together.
Some of my favorite images created together so far:
