Tag Archives: 2025

Dance Ambassador Spotlight: Rylea (@balletlifeofrylea)

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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!

A young ballet dancer, Rylea, wearing a pale pink tutu and leotard with floral embellishments. She is posing gracefully with her arms raised and a soft smile on a dark stage, illuminated by warm stage lights and sparkling chandeliers at the State Theatre.
Dabour Photography dance ambassadors at the State Theatre of the Arts on September 23, 2025. Photo by DAVE DABOUR Photography
A ballet dancer, Rylea, performing an athletic leap across a wide, dark stage. She is wearing a purple tutu and is captured in a graceful split mid-air, with warm stage lights and a large chandelier visible in the background of the historic theatre.
Dabour 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.

A young male dancer, Elijah, dipped-posing a female dancer, Rylea, on a downtown sidewalk at night. Rylea is wearing a teal and white ombre dance dress, and Elijah is in a blue shirt and white pants. The background features warm glowing bistro lights and a street scene in Easton, PA.
Dance portraits during a photo walk in Easton, PA on Oct 26, 2025. Photo by DAVE DABOUR Photography
A young dancer, Rylea, performing a technical ballet pose while balancing on the stone edge of a large water fountain. She is wearing a teal-to-white ombre dance dress and is captured against the backdrop of the historic Soldiers and Sailors Monument and the cityscape of downtown Easton, PA.
Dance 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:

Dabour Photography dance ambassadors at the State Theatre of the Arts on September 23, 2025. Photo by DAVE DABOUR Photography
A young dancer, Rylea, performing a technical leg extension while standing on a rustic wooden stool. She is wearing a teal leotard and purple skirt, posed against a red brick wall with a large industrial window and a "Seven Sirens" logo in the background.
A young dancer, Rylea, performing an elegant ballet pose in a narrow industrial alleyway. She is wearing a teal leotard and purple skirt, with her arms extended and one foot on pointe, framed by the historic red brick walls and large windows of the Silk Mill.
A young dancer, Rylea, in a dusty rose lace dance top, holding a bouquet of pink roses close to her chest. She has her eyes closed with a peaceful expression and one arm gracefully arched above her head against a soft grey studio background.
A young dancer, Rylea, laughing while wrapped in a large, colorful silk scarf that transitions from blue to pink and purple. She is standing in a studio with a white floor and grey background, surrounded by scattered rose petals.
A young dancer, Rylea, performing a dynamic leap in a white and red lace costume. She is surrounded by a large, flowing red silk fabric that creates a circular frame around her as she jumps against a deep red studio background.
A young dancer, Rylea, sitting gracefully on the floor in a large, pale pink tulle skirt and a black lace bodice. She is holding a bouquet of red roses and looking away thoughtfully against a deep red studio background.
A young dancer, Rylea, performing a technical ballet pose on a bright red studio floor. She is wearing a black and white patterned leotard with a large, voluminous white tulle skirt, looking upward with her arms gracefully extended.
A young dancer, Rylea, performing a technical pose while seated on a white wooden cube. She is wearing a black dance leotard and tan pointe shoes, with one leg extended vertically and her gaze directed upward against a neutral grey studio background.
A young dancer, Rylea, performing an athletic contemporary pose using white wooden cubes as props. She is wearing a black leotard and tan pointe shoes, balancing with one foot on a tall cube and her body arched forward in a dynamic, sharp-angled position against a grey studio background.
A young dancer, Rylea, performing a technical ballet pose using two white wooden cubes of different heights. She has one foot on pointe on a lower cube and her other leg bent in a passé position, with one arm extended gracefully against a neutral grey studio background.
A professional headshot of a young girl, Rylea, with her hair in a neat ballet bun. She is wearing a black dance leotard and smiling softly, captured against a bright, high-key white studio background.

The Shirt That Took 18 Months

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A blue t-shirt featuring a white and silver logo that reads "Gold Star Member 2025" with a large stylized star.

Most people will see a light blue t‑shirt. I see a commitment I made to myself almost two years ago—one that I wasn’t sure I could keep at first. This Gold Star Member 2025 shirt didn’t arrive overnight. It took a year and a half of choosing to invest in my physical fitness, even on the days when motivation was nowhere to be found.

This shirt represents early mornings, sore muscles, small wins, and the slow, steady shift from “I hope I can do this” to “I’m proud of who I’m becoming.” It’s proof that change doesn’t have to be loud or dramatic. Sometimes it’s just consistent, imperfect effort that adds up over time.

I’m grateful for the journey that brought me here—and even more grateful for the strength, discipline, and self‑respect it’s helped me build. This isn’t just a t‑shirt. It’s a reminder that I’m worth the investment.

Dance at the Heart of 2025: Studios, Ambassadors, and Creative Partnerships

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Dabour Photography dance ambassadors 2025-26

Dance remained at the heart of my photography business in 2025 — from studio partnerships and recitals to a rapidly growing ambassador program.

Dance at the Heart of 2025

If there’s one constant in my work, it’s dance.

In 2025, dance studios and dancers continued to be the foundation of my business and one of the most fulfilling parts of my creative life. These partnerships go far beyond photographing performances — they’re about collaboration, trust, and helping studios and dancers put their best work into the world.

Supporting Dance Studios

This year, I photographed 7 dance recitals, working closely with studios to provide everything from digital photography to video coverage and publicity imagery. Each production represents months of preparation, dedication, and teamwork — and I’m grateful to play a role in preserving that effort.

My goal has always been to help studios meet their business needs while creating meaningful art for their dancers and families.

Ambassador Program: Growing Something Special

The Ambassador Program experienced incredible growth in 2025, expanding to 12 total ambassadors — tripling in size from previous years.

These dancers participated in unique opportunities such as a State Theatre session and multiple outdoor dance portrait sessions throughout the fall. More than anything, the program became a creative community — one built on encouragement, artistry, and shared passion.

Closing Reflection

Dance continues to inspire me — not just because of its beauty, but because of the people behind it. Studios, dancers, and families make this work possible, and I’m excited to keep growing alongside them.

2025 in the Rearview Mirror: A Year of Growth, Gratitude, and Creativity

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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.