A study in red, rhythm, and connection.
Ellery and Sydney brought a presence that turned this concept into something striking and unforgettable.
Proud to have these two as part of my dance ambassador team. Photo by DAVE DABOUR Photography
Every now and then, a photo session comes along that feels like pure creative play — the kind where the concept, the dancers, and the energy all line up in the best possible way. My recent winter fine art dance portrait session with two of my dance ambassadors, Ellery (@its_ellevalentine) and Sydney (@squidneykdancer), was exactly that.
The spark for this session came from Ellery’s mom, Ariana. When she first shared the idea with me — red backdrop, red bodysuits, red wigs — I’ll admit I had a few reservations. It was bold. It was specific. It was a LOT of red. But the more we talked through the vision, the more it clicked. By the time we stepped into the studio, the concept had transformed into something striking, dramatic, and beautifully editorial.
What made the session truly unforgettable, though, was the friendship between these two dancers. Ellery and Sydney are best friends, and their connection shows up in every frame. My favorite part of the entire shoot — beyond the art we created — was the near‑constant laughter. They brought a joy and ease to the studio that elevated every moment.
And then came the finale.
By the end of the session, the tights had taken a beating. It was clear they weren’t going to survive another round, so the girls decided to go full Hulk Hogan and rip them off with all the dramatic flair they could muster. It was absolutely priceless — the perfect ending to a session already overflowing with personality.
Below are 10 of my favorite hero images from Scarlet Sisters: Red‑y to Dance — a concept that started as a spark and turned into something unforgettable.
A study in red, rhythm, and connection.
Ellery and Sydney brought a presence that turned this concept into something striking and unforgettable.
Proud to have these two as part of my dance ambassador team. Photo by DAVE DABOUR Photography
As a New Jersey dance photographer, these are the sessions that remind me why I love what I do — the blend of artistry, trust, personality, and the freedom to create something truly unique.
This session is part of my Winter Fine Art Dance Portraits, available now through the end of March. Sessions are limited, and once they’re gone, they’re gone.
Artistic movement meets bold color: Giules’ Valentine-inspired artistic dance portrait in the studio.
There’s something special about photographing a dancer you’ve worked with for years — the trust, the creativity, and the freedom to push ideas a little further each time. This past weekend’s dance portrait session with Giules (@dancergiules) was the perfect example of that magic.
We started the session on a clean white backdrop, focusing on movement, lines, and the artistic flare that Giules brings so naturally. From there, we shifted into a Valentine‑themed series — soft reds, expressive shapes, and a mood that blended elegance with emotion. To finish, we moved onto a bold red backdrop, creating a dramatic contrast that highlighted her strength, control, and presence.
As a New Jersey dance photographer, these are the sessions I love most — the ones where a dancer’s personality and artistry shine through every frame. Giules always brings that spark, and this session was no exception.
Below are seven of my favorite images from the day, each capturing a different facet of her movement and style.
Artistic and Valentine Dance Portraits for Giules on February 14, 2025. Photo by DAVE DABOUR Photography
If this session inspires you, now is the perfect time to book your own. My Winter Fine Art Dance Portraits are available for a limited time, and once they’re gone, they’re gone. Reserve your spot here:
Brother and Sister Bryan and Addy pose for some portraits before Bryan deploys. January 31, 2026. Photo by DAVE DABOUR Photography
Some photo sessions are carefully planned. Others are carefully felt.
Steel and Silk became both.
This personal project began as a fine art portrait concept exploring two very different disciplines—military service and dance—through siblings who embody commitment, structure, and quiet strength in their own ways. One wears a United States Marine Corps uniform earned through service and sacrifice. The other trains her body daily in pursuit of grace, control, and artistry.
On paper, it was simple. In practice, it became something much more personal.
The Plan (and the Pivot)
Going into the session, I was told that Addy, the dancer, was no longer on pointe this year. The concept shifted naturally toward training, growth, and becoming rather than arrival. As a dance photographer, I’ve learned that some of the most meaningful images live in that in-between space.
Then came one of those unplanned moments that personal projects seem to invite.
Addy discovered she fit into an extra pair of pointe shoes I had in the studio—and offered to wear them for a few images.
Those photographs weren’t about technique or proving readiness. They were about choice. About possibility. About meeting the moment when it presents itself. Silk, quite literally, meeting steel.
Brother and Sister Bryan and Addy pose for some portraits before Bryan deploys. January 31, 2026. Photo by DAVE DABOUR Photography
Meeting Bryan
This was my first time meeting Addy’s older brother, Bryan, who recently became a United States Marine.
From the start, Bryan carried himself with intention. Polite, composed, and focused, he knows exactly what he wants and how to work toward it—while still keeping a sense of humor along the way. As he moved through the session, transitioning from his Service Charlies to his Blues cover, you could see the shift from brother to Marine, from approachable to iconic.
Both were authentic. Both mattered.
Family in the Spaces Between
What stood out most during this session wasn’t just the contrast between military precision and dance discipline—it was the ease between them.
The way they stood shoulder to shoulder. The way Bryan instinctively grounded himself as Addy balanced nearby. The way both relaxed once the formality dropped.
It was immediately clear this is a close family. The kind of closeness that doesn’t need explanation—it reveals itself in posture, glances, and shared laughter once the camera lowers.
Those are always my favorite frames. The ones that can’t be forced.
Brother and Sister Bryan and Addy pose for some portraits before Bryan deploys. January 31, 2026. Photo by DAVE DABOUR Photography
Winter Fine Art Dance Portraits
In addition to the sibling portraits, I also created a series of solo dance images of Addy that aligned with the fine art aesthetic of my Winter Fine Art Dance Portrait Sessions.
These portraits focus on artistry over performance—clean lines, expressive movement, and a timeless visual style that allows dancers to be seen not just as students, but as artists. Winter light, controlled movement, and minimal styling create space for emotion and form to take center stage.
The result is a body of work that complements Steel and Silk while standing on its own—quiet, intentional, and deeply personal.
Why “Steel and Silk” Still Fits
Even with the unexpected pointe shoes, the title never changed.
Because Steel and Silk isn’t really about footwear or uniforms. It’s about balance. Contrast. Mutual respect.
It’s about two paths that demand discipline, resilience, and sacrifice—expressed through very different languages. One sharp and structured. One fluid and expressive. Both asking everything of the people who choose them.
This session didn’t go exactly as planned.
It went better.
Closing Thoughts
Personal projects have a way of reminding us to stay open. To trust the people in front of the lens. To understand that deviations aren’t failures—they’re invitations.
I’m grateful to Addy and Bryan for trusting me with their story, and to their family for allowing me to witness a small piece of what clearly runs much deeper.
Steel and Silk will always be about that balance.
Interested in a Fine Art Dance Portrait Session?
My Winter Fine Art Dance Portrait Sessions are designed for dancers who want images that go beyond technique—portraits that highlight artistry, expression, and the discipline behind the movement.
These sessions are intentionally limited and tailored to each dancer, creating work that feels timeless, personal, and worthy of both portfolio and print.
If you’re interested in learning more or reserving a session, I’d love to talk.
Some
people shy away from winter sessions because, well, it’s cold. But winter
sessions make for some prime photo ops, so don’t write off the brr months.
1.
Keep tracking the weather. Those white winter days after a lot of snowfall can
result in some seriously gorgeous photographs. Booking two months out probably
won’t work, and you’ll instead want to book on a shorter notice.
2.
Really play up the winter accessories when planning outfits. Think cozy knit
scarves, colorful coats, adorable boots, mittens and more.
3.
Plan the day out so that nobody gets fussy or too cold. A bribe of hot
chocolate after the session goes a long way. Also make sure that everyone’s
dressed warmly.
4.
Don’t be afraid to have fun in that snow. Snowball fights? Snowman building?
Angels? The possibilities are endless and this should be all about having fun.
5.
Choose colors and prints that pop. An all white background is absolutely
beautiful, but having that pop of red or that flash of gingham can really make
for a gorgeous photograph.
6.
Pack the necessities. Noses tend to run in the cold, and glasses can fog up.
Bring tissues, hand-warming packs, clean clothes and hot beverages to keep
everyone perky throughout the shoot.
7. Because it
can be really cold, note that a shorter session may be in order. Make the most
of your photos by using every single second to the max, especially at the
beginning of the session when everyone’s still warm and spirits are
particularly high.
OK I know that’s a strange title. But as a photographer, its difficult for me to blog about this because I don’t have photographic evidence.
It was a cold morning (10 degrees!). As I greeted my rental car, it had a nice wintertime display on all the windows courtesy of Jack Frost.
OK here’s the hard part. As I started driving, I noticed one of the frosty snowflakes on the windshield started spinning! I can assure you I was awake and not hallucinating! As I picked up speed, the spinning flake flew off the windshield. It was so young!
As I drove across PA and into Ohio, below are some of the images from the road showing the recent snow and ice that was on the roadside trees.
The last Sunday morning before Christmas started off on the cold side. In fact in many places it was probably the coldest morning of the new cold season.
On the second morning in the new month of December, overnight temperatures fell into the upper 20’s. That combined with a clear sky and calm conditions created a frosty start to the morning!
I felt ridiculous putting these up today because it was near 70 degrees again outside. But the calendar almost says December, and we already had 8” of snow! Without these stakes in the ground, it makes shoveling/snow blowing quite difficult with a decent snowfall.
Frequent blog readers will recognize I posted a large pile of early season snow at our local mall back on November 7th. That was 9 days after the freak October snowstorm which dumped 8” of snow to the area.
This picture to the left is what’s left of the same pile. This is over 2 weeks ago! I think the snow being so wet had a lot to do with how long it lasted.
On Friday morning we had our coldest morning of the new cold season so far. We also had our first freeze as you can see in the photo of ice on my deck to the left.
What was somewhat unusual is we had our first freeze before we had our first frost. We just never had clear, calm cool evenings in the 30’s so far. We had some early mornings in the 30’s but there was wind which prevents a frost from forming.
More of the frozen stuff is on the horizon as wet snow is in the forecast for Saturday. So I guess I need to put my shorts away?
Dabour Photography 