Lenora in the Sunflowers: A First Outdoor Session

Posted on by
Reply

Lenora (@watercolor.ballet) is one of our newest dance ambassadors, and this was our first session together outside the studio — a sunset shoot in a full sunflower field. She did a fantastic job adapting to an outdoor setting for the first time, and I’m already looking forward to many more sessions with her in the year ahead.

Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at how the shot came together, thanks to a photo from Lenora’s mom, alongside the finished portrait.

Behind-the-scenes shot of Dave Dabour photographing Lenora as she poses in a sunflower field at golden hour
Lenora dances in a sunflower field at sunset, one leg extended back in an arabesque, arms reaching forward

Sunflower portraits are available now, for a very limited time — the season won’t last, so reach out soon if you’d like to book one!

Golden Hour & Grand Jetés: Limited Sunflower Portrait Sessions Are Back!

Posted on by
Reply

Capturing Magic in the Fields: Sunflower Sessions Return!

There is something purely magical about the vibrant golden hues of a sunflower field in full bloom. Paired with graceful lines, dramatic leaps, and radiant smiles, it makes for some of the most striking portraits of the entire year.

Dance ambassador Lily performing a pose in a vibrant sunflower field during golden hour.
Dance ambassador Vivi performing a pose in a vibrant sunflower field during golden hour.
Olivia doing dance portraits in a vibrant sunflower field during golden hour.

I’m thrilled to announce that Sunflower Portrait Sessions are officially back for the season!

Whether you’re a dancer looking to capture stunning action shots against a breathtaking natural backdrop, or you simply want vibrant, sun-drenched portraits, this is one of my favorite annual traditions.

A 2x3 grid composite image of dancers posing and leaping in a vibrant, golden sunflower field during golden hour.
Limited-edition golden hour sunflower portrait sessions return for dancers and portraits.

⚠️ A Very Brief Window: Only 2 Weeks Available!

Because of my busy upcoming shooting schedule and the brief natural blooming window of the sunflowers, these sessions will only be available for a strict two-week period this year.

Once these two weeks are gone, we’ll have to wait an entire year for the fields to bloom again!

Why book early?

  • Prime Lighting: We schedule around peak golden hour for that soft, ethereal glow.
  • Limited Spots: Because the window is capped at 14 days, spots fill up fast.

What to Expect During Your Session

Whether we are creating dynamic dance imagery with leaps and extensions or striking classic portraits, my goal is to make your session fun, comfortable, and tailored to you.

  • For Dancers: We’ll utilize the unique height and texture of the sunflower stalks to showcase your lines, turns, and jumps.
  • For Classic Portraits: We’ll capture authentic, joyful moments surrounded by sea-of-gold blooms.

Ready to Claim Your Spot?

Don’t miss out on these exclusive golden hour portraits. Let’s create something extraordinary together before the blooms fade!

Rylea & Becky: A Duet Session Full of Giggles

Posted on by
Reply

My dance ambassador Rylea (@balletlifeofrylea) and her friend Becky, both dancers at West Jersey Youth Ballet, came in for a session built around duets. There were plenty of giggles along the way, but by the end we had some genuinely beautiful images of the two of them together.

I love it when more than one dancer is in the studio at once — they inspire each other, and you can watch them problem-solve a pose together in real time. It shows in the results.

Rylea and Becky dance back-to-back in matching teal costumes, arms raised in mirrored poses
Rylea and Becky pose side-by-side in pink and blue floral costumes, one leg extended behind each
Rylea and Becky face each other with arms crossed and raised, smiling mid-pose
Rylea and Becky sit on white pedestals, leaning toward each other with playful expressions
Rylea and Becky sit together on a pedestal, leaning back to back with legs crossed
Studio dance portrait of Becky and Rylea from West Jersey Youth Ballet striking a graceful pose in her costume.

Becky’s First Studio Session: Creative Dance Portraits

Posted on by
Reply

I’ve photographed Becky several times over at her studio, West Jersey Youth Ballet, but this was her first time coming into my studio for some creative dance portraits. She showed up ready to work, and it showed — every pose came together with the kind of ease that only comes from years of training.

Becky leaps mid-air with one arm raised high, wearing a pale pink floral costume and flower crown
Becky looks back over her shoulder with arms extended, standing on one pointed foot in a pink costume
Becky balances on two white pedestals, arm raised, in a flowing pink costume with a floral headpiece
Becky poses in a purple ombré dress, one arm raised and one leg lifted in a relevé passé
Rylea and Becky for headshots and dance portraits on July 24, 2026. Photo by DAVE DABOUR Photography

Becky did a fantastic job, and I’m already hoping she’ll come back for another session soon.

Rylea’s Summer Studio Session: Duets, Friendship, and a Little Bit of Cupid

Posted on by
Reply

One of my dance ambassadors, Rylea (@balletlifeofrylea), came back to the studio this summer for another session — this time bringing her friend Becky along for a set of duets. Rylea dances at West Jersey Youth Ballet, and it always shows in her lines and control, even in a still photograph.

While she was here, we also carved out time for a few solo portraits, with Rylea in a beautiful pale blue costume with soft floral detailing — something of a cupid-inspired look that suited her perfectly.

Look for the duet images in another blog post. Here are some of my favorites of Rylea alone:

Rylea poses in a pale blue floral costume with a jeweled headpiece, one leg lifted in a passé
Rylea extends one leg behind her in an arabesque, arm reaching forward in her blue costume
Rylea smiles with both arms raised overhead in a V, legs crossed, in her blue cupid-inspired costume
Rylea walks forward with arms open wide, blue chiffon skirt flowing behind her
Rylea and Becky for headshots and dance portraits on July 24, 2026. Photo by DAVE DABOUR Photography

Nine Years in the Making: The Koziol Sisters (and Their Biggest Fan)

Posted on by
Reply

I’ve been photographing Lucy since she first stepped in front of my camera nine years ago, and watching her grow up through session after session has been one of the real joys of this work. Now her sisters Abby and Michelle have followed right behind her — Abby’s been a regular in the studio for a while now, and Michelle is quickly catching up, well on her way to being just as much a natural as her big sisters.

This time around, their little brother William tagged along too — and he held his own completely, striking poses like he’d been doing it for years.

Of course, with all three sisters (and their newest recruit) in the studio at once, I had to grab a few frames of them together. Nine years of watching one dancer grow into a family of them is exactly why I love this job.

Abby captured mid-split, hands balanced on a white pedestal, arms outstretched in a purple costume
Michelle, Lucy, and their brother William pose together in an edgy group portrait styled in black, gold, and blue
Lucy stands in a white and blue costume, gently holding up her sister (likely Abby), who arches backward in a blue sequined outfit
Abby and Lucy face off in matching backbends, blue costumes contrasting against a plain backdrop
Abby dances in a flowing lavender dress, one arm raised gracefully overhead
Lucy poses in a close-up portrait, tipping a black hat with a confident look
Lucy strikes an artistic dance pose in a black and blue costume with a flowing skirt
The three sisters — Abby, Michelle, and Lucy — pose together in matching black outfits, chins raised in unison

Powder & Poise: Emma’s First Powder Experience

Posted on by
Reply

Emma (@extendandelevate) is one of my dance ambassadors, and I’ve photographed her in more sessions than I can count — but this was her very first time at the Powder Experience. As always, she showed up and made it look easy, bringing the flexibility and control she’s known for into every burst of color.

Dancer Emma leaping mid-air in a wide switch leap as blue and orange powder explodes around her at night
Emma catches air and color in the same frame.

Emma trains at A.C.I. (@a.c.i.dance_), and it shows — every shape she hit tonight, from the mid-air leaps to the inverted holds, had that trained precision that makes powder photography actually work. The color doesn’t do the work; the dancer does.

Emma balanced on one leg in an attitude turn, surrounded by swirling purple and lavender powder
Emma inverted in a headstand with legs extended wide apart, white and blue powder bursting outward
Emma arched backward with hair swinging, a trail of blue powder through a cloud of white dust
Emma tipping into an off-balance handstand with legs bent, framed by a glowing ring of blue powder
Powder dance portrait session with four of my dance ambassadors on July 8, 2026. Photo by DAVE DABOUR Photography

If you’re a dancer curious about trying a Powder Experience session of your own, reach out — I’d love to create something like this with you.

Capturing the Movement: A Return to the Studio with Jocelyn

Posted on by
Reply

It is always a treat when a talented dancer returns to my studio, but it is extra special when it’s someone as inspiring as Jocelyn. Two years ago, Jocelyn came in for her last dance portrait session, where we focused entirely on a classic, striking black-and-white aesthetic. Those images were absolutely top-notch, so the bar was set incredibly high for her return—but she did not disappoint!

This time around, we shifted our focus to mix business with pure creativity. We started by updating her professional headshots and then transitioned into capturing some deeply expressive, artistic dance portraits.

Big Dreams & Bright Futures

Beyond her incredible technique in front of the lens, Jocelyn is a powerhouse of ambition. Here is a little bit about what she is up to and where she is headed:

  • Rutgers Royalty: She is currently pursuing her passion strictly as a dance major at Rutgers University.
  • Future Entrepreneur: One of her biggest long-term goals is to open the doors to her very own dance studio someday.
  • Gameday Goals: Don’t be surprised if you see her under the stadium lights in the future—she hopes to eventually try out as an NFL cheerleader!

“Dancers are the athletes of God.” — Albert Einstein. Watching Jocelyn leap and hold extensions effortlessly makes you realize just how much strength goes into making art look this graceful.

Where to Find Her This Year

Jocelyn isn’t waiting until graduation to make her mark on the dance community. If you want to keep up with her journey or catch her in action, here is where she is spending her time:

  • Summer Classes: She is currently sharing her talent and teaching summer classes over at Vibe Dance Academy.
  • Fall Plans: As the new semester rolls around, she is looking to join the team at East Coast Dance in the fall, balancing her studio time as her college schedule permits.

Give her a follow on Instagram at @jocelyn.denne to see her journey unfold and catch a few behind-the-scenes glimpses of her incredible talent!

I’ve uploaded some of my absolute favorite images from our latest session below. Take a look and let me know which artistic portrait stands out to you the most!

A Star in the Making: Vasilia’s Audition-Worthy Powder Debut!

Posted on by
Reply

If you’ve spent any time around Dabour Photography, you definitely know Lily, one of my incredible dance ambassadors. But during this powder session, it was time for Lily’s younger sister, almost nine-year-old Vasilia, to step into the spotlight!

Vasilia has made it no secret that she has big dreams of following in her sister’s footsteps and becoming a dance ambassador herself. In a lot of ways, having her join the powder experience felt like the ultimate “audition” session—and let me tell you, she did not disappoint!

Stepping Out of the Studio

While I’ve photographed Vasilia before during regular recital portraits at her dance studio, this was her very first time doing a specialized, creative session with me outside of that setting.

Even though she is young, it is incredibly clear that all those years of watching her older sisters dance have paid off. Vasilia brought serious focus, grace, and an understanding of movement that is way beyond her years.

A Change of Plans (and a Seamless Solo)

Initially, Vasilia was invited to the powder session to accompany her good friend Claire, who is one of my brand-new dance ambassadors this year.

Unfortunately, busy schedules got in the way, their calendars didn’t sync up, and they ended up having to attend separate sessions. Stepping into a big, dynamic shoot like this without your friend can be intimidating for any young dancer, but Vasilia didn’t miss a beat.

Because we already knew each other, she was incredibly comfortable with me and took direction like an absolute pro.

[INSERT GALLERY OF VASILIA’S INDIVIDUAL SHOTS HERE]

A Secret Weapon in Her Corner

Of course, it doesn’t hurt when your biggest cheerleader is also a dance expert! Vasilia’s mom—a local dance studio owner and highly experienced dance teacher—was right there by her side. Having her mom’s encouraging presence and expert eye nearby definitely added an extra layer of comfort and precision to the shoot.

Together, we captured some truly stunning, dynamic images of Vasilia that prove she is a force to be reckoned with in the dance world.

Will Vasilia Become an Ambassador?

She certainly proved she has the talent, the work ethic, and the star power to join the team. But is a spot in the ambassador program in her future?

You’ll just have to keep reading future blog posts to find out! 😉

Watch this space!

Scroll down to see some of my favorite shots of Vasilia proving she is ready for the big leagues in her beautiful powder debut!

[INSERT FAVORITE GALLERY IMAGES OF VASILIA HERE]

Happy Birthday, Sydney!

Posted on by
Reply

Today we’re celebrating one of the most confident, expressive, and naturally charismatic dancers on our ambassador team — Sydney (@squidneykdancer). Even in her first year as an ambassador, she’s brought bold energy, creativity, and a spark that makes every session unforgettable.

From West Jersey Youth Ballet to specialty sessions like rain, powder, spooky portraits, and outdoor fabric work, Sydney steps into every concept with enthusiasm and fearlessness. Watching her grow as both a dancer and an artist has been such a joy.

Happy Birthday, Sydney! Here’s to another year of creativity, confidence, and standout moments in front of the camera.