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.
There is something special about witnessing a local business truly hit its stride. This year, it was an absolute pleasure to return to New Jersey Dance Force for their annual recital portrait sessions.
A Season of Incredible Growth
If you’ve spent any time at the studio lately, you’ve likely noticed the incredible energy—and the many new faces! Under the dedicated leadership of owner Miss Kimberly, New Jersey Dance Force has seen significant growth this season.
With so many talented dancers and vibrant costumes to document, we realized that the usual weeknight schedule simply wouldn’t cut it anymore. To ensure every dancer received the time and attention they deserved, we made the exciting move to a full Saturday Picture Day.
The Saturday Advantage
Moving the session to a Saturday was a game-changer. Instead of rushing from school or work, dancers and parents arrived with a bit more “breathing room.” This relaxed atmosphere allowed us to:
Focus on the Details: From the intricate lace on a lyrical costume to the perfect tilt of a hip-hop cap, we had the time to get every detail just right.
Capture the Joy: Without the weekday rush, the natural smiles and camaraderie between the dancers really shined through in the portraits.
Creative Excellence: A dedicated portrait day allows me to maintain the high standard of lighting and composition that Dabour Photography is known for, ensuring these memories last a lifetime.
A Partnership in Artistry
Miss Kimberly always well prepared and knows which dancers in which costume are ready for pictures. Her vision for the studio and her commitment to her students make the collaborative process seamless. It’s clear that “The Force” is stronger than ever!
To the parents and dancers of NJDF: Thank you for your patience and energy during our new Saturday schedule. It was a marathon of movement. Let me know if you need the link to the gallery.
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!
A Tradition of Artistry at Mary Help There is a beautiful sense of continuity in returning to a school year after year. This season marked my fourth time photographing the dancers at Mary Help of Christians Academy. As an all-girls Catholic school with a deep commitment to the arts, the atmosphere is always one of focused talent and wonderful school spirit.
The After-School “Elite” Sessions While we capture every dancer during the day, my absolute favorite part of this residency is the special after-school session we offer. This is a time specifically set aside for the “best of the best”—those dancers who live and breathe their craft.
Away from the hustle of the school day, these performers truly have the space to shine. It is a joy to work with dancers who are so technically proficient and eager to push their creative boundaries in front of the camera. The resulting portraits are always among the most striking of the year.
A Tribute to Miss Hannah The high caliber of dance at Mary Help is no accident. These students are truly blessed with a wonderful and talented teacher in Miss Hannah. Her dedication to her students and her eye for choreography make my job behind the lens so much easier. It’s clear that her guidance helps these young women find their confidence and their “light.”
View Your 2026 Portraits The professional galleries for this session are finished! If you are a parent or student at Mary Help, reach out to me or Miss Hannah if you didn’t receive the link view and purchase your portraits.
A Decade of Dance Excellence There is a unique energy that fills a dance studio, and at ShowBiz Kidz Dance Center, that energy is truly something special. For over 10 years, I’ve had the honor of serving as their official photographer, and every season I am blown away by the growth, discipline, and pure joy these performers bring to the lens.
Three Days, Hundreds of Dancers The sheer talent at ShowBiz Kidz is so vast it takes us three full days to capture every solo, duo, and troupe! From the youngest tiny tots to the advanced competitive dancers, the dedication from both the students and the fantastic teachers at this studio is evident in every frame.
Whether it’s the intricate details of a costume or the perfect lines of a seasoned performer, these sessions are about more than just a photo—they are a celebration of the hard work put in all year long.
View and Purchase Your Photos The wait is over! Photographs from our most recent sessions are officially available for viewing and purchase.
Gallery Access: If you have not yet received the link to your dancer’s professional gallery, please reach out to me directly.
Prints & Digital: A variety of high-quality prints and digital downloads are available to commemorate this season.
Thank you to the staff, parents, and of course, the incredible dancers of ShowBiz Kidz for another fantastic year behind the lens!
Recently, I had the opportunity to photograph a branding session for a Pilates studio owner in Flemington, NJ. As a New Jersey photographer, sessions like this are a great example of how strong, intentional imagery can help small businesses stand out and connect with their audience.
Laura, owner of Evolution Pilates Studio, has been working in Pilates for over 20 years. That level of experience really shows — not just in her instruction, but in how she connects with her clients. From the moment we started shooting, it was clear that her approach is both professional and welcoming, which is exactly what you want when trying something like Pilates for the first time.
Evolution Pilates Studio Flemington NJ by Laura Donatelli. Photo by DAVE DABOUR PhotographyEvolution Pilates Studio Flemington NJ by Laura Donatelli. Photo by DAVE DABOUR Photography
A Branding Photoshoot Designed Around Real Interaction
For this session, the goal was to create a mix of:
Professional headshots
Branding images within the studio
Real client interaction
Natural, candid moments that reflect Laura’s teaching style
We worked in a smaller studio space, which actually helped create a more personal and approachable feel in the images. Laura brought in two clients for part of the session, and rather than overly posing anything, I had her simply teach as she normally would.
That approach always leads to the strongest results.
The final images feel authentic — showing not just what Pilates looks like, but what it feels like to be in one of her sessions.
Evolution Pilates Studio Flemington NJ by Laura Donatelli. Photo by DAVE DABOUR Photography
Content That Works Across Website and Social Media
Like many small business owners, Laura needed images that could work across multiple platforms, including:
Website and landing pages
Instagram and social media
YouTube content
Print and promotional materials
As a branding photographer in NJ, my goal in sessions like this is to create a versatile image library — giving business owners a consistent, professional look wherever they show up online.
Why Branding Photography Matters for Fitness & Wellness Businesses
Evolution Pilates Studio Flemington NJ by Laura Donatelli. Photo by DAVE DABOUR Photography
For Pilates studios and other service-based businesses, photography plays a huge role in building trust.
Potential clients want to see:
Who they’ll be working with
What the space looks like
How sessions are guided
The overall feel of the experience
Strong branding photography helps answer those questions before someone even picks up the phone.
Looking for Pilates in Flemington, NJ?
If you’re in Flemington, NJ or the surrounding areas and are considering Pilates, I highly recommend reaching out to Laura at Evolution Pilates Studio.
With over 20 years of experience, she offers a level of knowledge and personal attention that’s hard to find. Whether you’re new to Pilates or more experienced, her studio provides a welcoming and professional environment.
Evolution Pilates Studio 122 Main Street, Suite 8 Flemington, NJ 08822 📞 908.291.8325 🌐 https://evolutionnj.com
Need Branding Photography for Your Business?
If you’re a small business owner in Flemington, NJ or anywhere in New Jersey looking to update your branding images, feel free to reach out.
Whether you’re in fitness, wellness, or another service-based industry, I can help create a set of images that reflect your business, connect with your audience, and elevate your online presence.
Today is World Backup Day, which feels like the perfect reminder for anyone who works with photos and video — especially full‑time professional photographers like me — that our work only truly exists when it’s protected.
When you’re trusted to capture once‑in‑a‑lifetime moments, school productions, ambassador sessions, or full theater runs, “hoping your hard drive holds up” isn’t a strategy. Files are fragile. Drives fail. Cards corrupt. Life happens.
That’s why professional photographers build backup systems that start the moment the shutter clicks. Multiple memory cards. Redundant drives. Cloud copies. Off‑site storage. It’s not glamorous, but it’s the difference between delivering and disappointing.
For the Banks family portrait I created for SPAC’s Mary Poppins Jr. production, the final image was printed, displayed, and woven into the show’s world. That’s not something you leave to chance. Backups ensure that the hours of research, styling, shooting, and editing are protected — and that the work can live on long after the curtain closes.
So on World Backup Day, consider this your friendly nudge: If your memories matter, back them up. If your work matters, back it up twice.
Dabour Photography dance ambassadors at the State Theatre of the Arts on September 23, 2025. Photo by DAVE DABOUR Photography
Some dancers grow in front of your lens year after year, and watching that evolution is one of the best parts of what I do. Emma (@extendandelevate) is absolutely one of those dancers. Even though this is her first year as one of my dance ambassadors, I’ve been photographing her for years—and every session reminds me just how much talent, drive, and personality she brings to her art.
Emma is known for many things, but her incredible flexibility is always front and center. She gets into poses that make my back hurt, and I’m not even the one doing them! What amazes me most is how effortless she makes it all look. One moment she’s a poised, elegant young woman; the next she snaps into a bold, sassy pose like she flipped a switch from 0 to 100.
This past season, Emma stepped into the iconic role of Clara in her studio’s production of The Nutcracker. I had the chance to create some beautiful, artistic portraits of her in those costumes, and she brought such grace and storytelling to every frame. It’s a role that demands both technique and heart, and she delivered both with maturity beyond her years.
Emma is also one of those dancers who starts doing the pose before I even finish asking. She listens, interprets, and moves with instinct—and that makes every session with her a creative joy. Whether we’re working on clean classical lines, dramatic lighting, or something playful and expressive, she brings her whole self to the moment.
I’m grateful to have Emma in this year’s ambassador team, and I’m excited for all the portraits, ideas, and creative adventures still ahead. Watching her grow as both a dancer and an artist has been a privilege, and I look forward to photographing her for many more years to come.
Know a dancer or studio looking for artistic dance portraits? I’d love to help bring their vision to life—feel free to share my work or send them my way!
🗿 Gravity? Never heard of it. Elijah showing off some incredible core strength at Columcille Megalith Park.
Some dancers bring talent. Some bring personality. And some—like Elijah (@elijahtheboydancer)—bring a spark that lights up every session. This is Elijah’s first year as one of my dance ambassadors, and he has already shown that he’s not only a dedicated dancer but also a natural performer who feels completely at home on the stage and in front of the camera.
Dance portraits during a photo walk in Easton, PA on Oct 26, 2025. Photo by DAVE DABOUR Photography
One of the things I’ve enjoyed most about working with Elijah is his love for duets. He’s joined me for several sessions paired with another dancer, and every time, the results have been remarkable. He has a gift for connection—matching energy, shaping movement with a partner, and creating images that feel alive.
Elijah also surprised me in the best way when he asked to participate in my Dance Dads for a Cure fundraiser. I assumed he wanted to join with his mom—which would have been wonderful—but he had something more meaningful in mind. He wanted to dance with his dad. Elijah is incredibly proud of the support his dad gives him as a dancer, and after his dad faced some health challenges in the past, this was the first time they were able to do something like this together. Photographing the two of them was powerful, heartfelt, and something I’ll never forget.
Another thing you quickly learn about Elijah: he loves anything Halloween. So much so that he participated in my Spooky Portraits not once, but twice—and he came with more ideas than we could possibly fit into a single session. His creativity, enthusiasm, and imagination made those shoots unforgettable. And don’t worry, Elijah… we’ll get to the rest of your ideas next year.
🏰 Elijah perfectly framed by the historic stone architecture of Columcille Megalith Park.🧘 Finding balance among the giants. Elijah at Columcille Megalith Park.
Because Elijah is homeschooled, he sometimes has the flexibility to join daytime sessions. One of those opportunities turned into a standout moment this season: a collaborative outdoor session at Columcille with two other dance ambassadors. Together, they created some truly unique dance art—movement, landscape, and creativity blending into something special.
Elijah brings heart, humor, dedication, and originality to everything he does. I’m grateful he joined the ambassador team this year, and I’m excited to see what we create together next.
A reflective look back at 2025 in my professional photography business — highlighting growth, creativity, and gratitude for the clients and community that made the year unforgettable.
2025 in the Rearview Mirror
As I look back at 2025 through the rearview mirror, I don’t just see a busy year — I see momentum. I see trust built over time, creative risks taken, and relationships that continue to grow. The road behind me is filled with moments that mattered, and the road ahead feels full of possibility.
Being a full-time professional photographer means constantly balancing artistry, logistics, and human connection. In 2025, that balance felt more meaningful than ever.
Thank You to Every Client
Before diving into specifics, I want to start with gratitude.
To every client who supported my business in 2025 — whether through dance, theater, portraits, video, or special projects — thank you. Your trust allows me to do what I love for a living, and that is something I never take lightly.
This year alone, I created 161,000 images and produced 19 videos. Behind each number is a person, a performance, a milestone, or a story that deserved to be documented with care.
Looking Back to Move Forward
2025 was a year of growth — not just in numbers, but in depth. In the coming posts, I’ll share more about the dance studios, performers, theaters, ambassadors, and special projects that shaped the year.
Thank you for being part of the journey. The mirror may be reflecting the past, but my focus is firmly on what’s ahead.
