Category Archives: showbiz kidz

Artistic Dance Portraits: A Pre-Picture Day Session with Kylie

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There is something special about the quiet moments in the studio before the rush of a full production begins. Recently, I had the pleasure of working with Kylie, a talented member of the Senior Dance Team at ShowBiz Kidz Dance Center in Lopatcong, NJ, for a specialized artistic portrait session.

While “Picture Day” is always a highlight for the studio, these extra sessions allow us the time and creative freedom to move beyond the standard poses. We focused on highlighting Kylie’s incredible technical form, strength, and contemporary movement—qualities that make her a standout on the senior team.

Artistic dance portrait of Kylie in a cream-colored outfit and red socks, performing a contemporary floor pose with her back arched and one leg bent over her head.
An artistic floor-based dance portrait of Kylie in a cream-colored outfit and red socks, performing a dramatic, contemporary pose with one arm extended vertically and a focused expression.
A creative dance portrait of Kylie from ShowBiz Kidz in a white lace leotard and pointe shoes, performing a flexible backbend supported by a white studio block with one leg extended in a vertical split.
An artistic dance portrait of a female dancer in a white lace leotard performing a dramatic backbend over a white studio block; she is wearing pointe shoes with one leg extended vertically.
Artistic pre-performance dance portraits featuring Kylie from ShowBiz Kidz. Photo by Dave Dabour Photography.

The Power of a Dance Portfolio

Kylie’s dedication to her craft is evident in every frame. As she continues to grow with the ShowBiz Kidz family, I’m personally rooting for her to become a Dance Ambassador next season. She certainly has the poise and leadership for the role!

Custom portrait sessions like this are essential for dancers looking to build a professional portfolio. Whether you’re preparing for:

…having high-quality, artistic imagery is what sets you apart from the competition.

I love partnering with local dancers in Warren County and the surrounding area to capture their unique style. If you’re interested in a creative session that goes beyond the traditional recital photo, let’s connect!

Senior Dance Portraits with Mia — A Full‑Circle Moment

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There’s something uniquely special about photographing a dancer you’ve worked with for years. Mia has been in front of my camera many times — for artistic portraits, senior photos, and now her final dance portrait session before she heads off to college. Each time, she brings the same qualities that make her such a joy to photograph: talent, focus, and a natural ease that turns every pose into art.

This year marks a big milestone for her. Mia is a high school senior, and in just a few months she’ll be attending Montclair, where she’ll study both dance and fashion — a combination that fits her perfectly. Watching her step confidently into this next chapter has been inspiring, even if I selfishly wish I had just a little more time to create with her.

Earlier in the year, during one of our artistic sessions, I asked Mia and her mom if she still had her very first dance costume. Her face lit up as she said yes. I told her, “You have to bring it to our next session.” And she did.

Seeing her holding that tiny costume — the one that started it all — was a full‑circle moment. It was a reminder of how far she’s come, how much she’s grown, and how dance has shaped her into the artist she is today. Photographing her with it felt like capturing a bridge between the beginning of her journey and the incredible future waiting for her.

I’m so proud of Mia and everything she’s accomplished. While I’m excited to see where her talent takes her next, part of me wishes I had a few more years to create more incredible dance portrait art with her. But that’s the beauty of these sessions — they freeze time, even as life keeps moving forward.

Here’s to Mia — to her artistry, her dedication, and the next chapter she’s about to write.

Some of my favorite images from the session:

A senior high school dancer named Mia performing an inverted headstand pose on a white studio floor; she is wearing a dark blue athletic outfit and white sneakers with her legs extended in a wide, symmetrical split.
A senior high school dancer named Mia in a blue contemporary dance outfit performing a floor pose with one hand on the ground and her other arm extended gracefully; she is looking directly at the camera with a focused expression.
A high school senior dancer named Mia performing an artistic floor pose in a cream-colored contemporary outfit and red socks; she is arching her back with her head tilted back and arms supporting her weight on the studio floor.
An artistic dance portrait of Kylie from the ShowBiz Kidz Senior Dance Team; she is performing a dramatic backbend in a tan top and sheer black pants against a clean white studio background.
Dance portraits for ShowBiz Kidz Studio Wednesday April 22, 2026. Photo by DAVE DABOUR Photography
A young female dancer from ShowBiz Kidz performing a powerful stag jump in mid-air; she is wearing a black costume with blue fringe details against a white studio background.
Dance portraits for ShowBiz Kidz Studio Wednesday April 22, 2026. Photo by DAVE DABOUR Photography
A young female dancer from ShowBiz Kidz in a black fringe leotard and long red gloves performing a dramatic backbend over a white chair; she is wearing fishnet tights and black character shoes against a white studio background.
Dance portraits for ShowBiz Kidz Studio Wednesday April 22, 2026. Photo by DAVE DABOUR Photography
A young female dancer from ShowBiz Kidz in a black leotard with a gold sequined sash performing a technical hand-balance pose; she is supporting her weight on her hands with her legs extended in a wide vertical split.
Dance portraits for ShowBiz Kidz Studio Wednesday April 22, 2026. Photo by DAVE DABOUR Photography

Molly: A Decade of Movement and Grace

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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

A flexible dance student named Molly H performing an advanced floor pose during the Showbiz Kidz Dance Center 2026 portrait session. She is wearing a modern black and white patterned dance costume and is arched backward with one leg extended vertically while balanced on her knees and forearms.
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?

Molly H performs a cabaret-style dance pose with a white chair during the Showbiz Kidz Dance Center 2026 portrait session. She is wearing a black lace leotard, fishnet tights, and red gloves, holding a red top hat while arching back in a dynamic split-legged stance.
Molly H, a dance student in a black sheer costume, performs a dramatic backbend on the floor, arching her body with her head tilted back and hair flowing, while balanced on one hand and her knees during the Showbiz Kidz Dance Center 2026 portrait session.

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.

Dance Ambassador Spotlight: Molly (@mollystinson7)

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A theatrical silhouette of Molly in a sharp dance pose against a backlit, textured red background. She is wearing a top hat and a dark suit, with one hand elegantly adjusting her hat. A small tombstone prop is visible in the foreground, enhancing the spooky Halloween theme.
Molly perfectly capturing the “Spooky Season” vibe with this theatrical silhouette! Photo by DAVE DABOUR Photography.

Some dancers bring a spark you recognize long before they ever step into your ambassador program. Molly (@mollystinson7) is one of those dancers. This is her first year as a Dance Ambassador, but I’ve known her for much longer thanks to her love of theater. She was part of the middle school theater group my wife used to direct, and even back then she stood out—fearless, expressive, and always ready to throw herself into a character.

Molly dances at Showbiz Kidz in Lopatcong, NJ, where she’s found her groove in tap, musical theater, and anything with a little dramatic flair. She has that rare combination of precision and personality—clean technique paired with a performer’s instinct to tell a story with every movement.

And then there’s her love of all things spooky.

As soon as she joined the ambassador team, she made it very clear she was counting down the days until my annual spooky portrait sessions. Once she stepped in front of the camera, it all made sense. Molly doesn’t just pose—she transforms. A tilt of the head, a shift in her expression, a perfectly timed gesture… suddenly the whole mood changes. She knows how to lean into the eerie, the dramatic, and the theatrical in a way that feels effortless.

Watching her work during that session was one of those moments where everything clicks. You see a dancer not just performing steps, but creating a character—bringing a little story to life in a single frame. It’s exactly why spooky portraits are her favorite, and exactly why she shines in them.

I’m excited to share some of my favorite images of Molly in this spotlight. Her first year as an ambassador has already been full of creativity, personality, and that unmistakable Molly energy. I can’t wait to see what she brings to the rest of the year.

A dynamic dance portrait of Molly performing in a rain machine studio setup. She is wearing a patterned athletic top and black shorts, captured mid-motion with water droplets splashing around her against a dark background. She has one arm raised and a leg lifted in a graceful, energetic pose.
A dynamic dance portrait of Molly performing in a rain machine studio setup. She is wearing a patterned athletic top and black shorts, captured mid-motion with water droplets splashing around her against a dark background. She has one arm raised and a leg lifted in a graceful, energetic pose.
A dancer, Molly, posing on a white wooden chair during a rain machine studio session. She is wearing a black tank top, vibrant pink shorts, and a black fedora hat, leaning back on the chair as water splashes dramatically around her against a dark background.
A dancer, Molly, performing a dynamic floor pose in a rain machine studio. She is wearing a red textured crop top and black athletic pants with red stripes, leaning on one arm with water splashing around her against a dark, dramatic background. Her expression is confident as water droplets are frozen in mid-air by high-speed photography.
A young dancer, Molly, posing in an elf costume for a holiday portrait session. She is lying on a bed of fake snow and twinkling holiday lights, resting her chin on her hands with a bright smile. Beside her is a plush snowman character, and the background features falling fake snow against a dark studio backdrop.
A young dancer, Molly, posing in a festive elf costume in a holiday-themed studio set. She is leaning her elbow on a giant green ornament that sits on a pedestal, with a playful and confident expression. Colorful oversized ornaments and glowing holiday string lights decorate the dark background.
A young dancer, Molly, performing a dramatic dance pose in an elf-themed costume. She is wearing a red long-sleeved top and a Santa hat, holding out her voluminous green skirt to create a wide, wing-like shape. She is standing barefoot on a dark studio floor decorated with glowing holiday lights, with a decorated Christmas tree and large ornaments in the background.
A dramatic silhouette of a dancer, Molly, posing against a vibrant, textured red background during a spooky-themed portrait session. She is wearing a top hat and a dark suit with flared trousers, standing on a wooden stool in a sharp, stylized pose. One hand adjusts her hat while her body creates a striking athletic profile.
A young dancer, Molly, posing in a dramatic black hooded cloak against a textured red and black background. She is holding the edges of the cloak open with her arms extended, creating a wide silhouette. Her expression is serious and intense, fitting the spooky portrait theme.
Theatrical dance portrait of Molly wearing a black hooded cloak, captured during the Spooky Portraits session in October 2025. This image emphasizes dramatic lighting and costume texture against a deep red backdrop. Photographed by DAVE DABOUR.
A young dancer, Molly, posing in a dark green wooden doorway at the Silk Mill in Easton, PA. She is wearing a white tank top and black flared trousers with tap shoes, performing a stylized jazz or tap pose with one arm raised and a confident expression against the textured industrial backdrop.
A close-up portrait of a young dancer, Molly, leaning against a weathered red brick wall at the Silk Mill. She is wearing a white tank top, with one arm raised to rest against the bricks. The warm, natural light highlights her expression and the industrial texture of the historic building.
A young dancer, Molly, posing inside a large, sunlit brick archway at the historic Silk Mill. She is wearing a white tank top and black flared pants, standing with her arms extended to touch the sides of the arch, creating a symmetrical and graceful silhouette against the industrial background.
A young dancer, Molly, performing a high-energy jazz or tap pose against a clean white studio background. She is wearing a black crop top and a vibrant pink fringe skirt with black tap shoes. She has one hand behind her head and the other on her hip, smiling confidently at the camera.

Dance Portraits for Showbiz Kidz Dance Studio

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New Jersey Dance Photographer

Dance portraits for Showbiz Kidz dance studio for 2021 © Dave Dabour

I’ve been working with Showbiz Kidz Dance Studio for many years. In fact both of my daughters attended there as dancers long ago!

Last year like many dance studios was different becasue of Covid. There were no formal dance portraits last year. In fact there was no recital for this dance studio last year!

  • Dance portraits for Showbiz Kidz dance studio for 2021 © Dave Dabour
  • Dance portraits for Showbiz Kidz dance studio for 2021 © Dave Dabour
  • Dance portraits for Showbiz Kidz dance studio for 2021 © Dave Dabour
  • Dance portraits for Showbiz Kidz dance studio for 2021 © Dave Dabour
  • Dance portraits for Showbiz Kidz dance studio for 2021 © Dave Dabour
  • Dance portraits for Showbiz Kidz dance studio for 2021 © Dave Dabour

I’m very happy with how the dance portraits turned out this year! Above is only a small sample of some of the many portraits I was able to create for all the fantastic dancers. These are the older dancers. In another post, I’ll highlight some of the younger ones!

  • Dance portraits for Showbiz Kidz dance studio for 2021 © Dave Dabour
  • Dance portraits for Showbiz Kidz dance studio for 2021 © Dave Dabour
  • Dance portraits for Showbiz Kidz dance studio for 2021 © Dave Dabour
  • Dance portraits for Showbiz Kidz dance studio for 2021 © Dave Dabour
  • Dance portraits for Showbiz Kidz dance studio for 2021 © Dave Dabour
  • Dance portraits for Showbiz Kidz dance studio for 2021 © Dave Dabour
Dance portraits for Showbiz Kidz dance studio for 2021 © Dave Dabour

I love photographing dance. It’s the main type of photography that I do. Do you know of a dancer or a dance studio in need of some great dance portraits?

I provide the following dance photography services:

  • dance portraits (recital or personal/groups)
  • action photos of dance rehearsals or recitals
  • candid portraits of dancers at rehearsal
  • video recording of events and recitals

In need of any of the above or want to find out more information? Please contact me at dave at dabourphoto.com or 908.995.7273

Dance Photography Season Starts Today!

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Some of the many photos of dancers last year. Looking forward to creating some new ones starting today!