Tag Archives: Action Photography

Leaps, Bounds, and Lifelong Skills: Highlighting the MHC 2026 Dance Showcase

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Every year, there are a few events on my photography calendar that I genuinely look forward to, and the Mary Help of Christians Dance Showcase is always right at the top of the list. Capturing the energy, movement, and sheer talent of these students never fails to inspire me.

The Magic of Great Instruction

A massive part of what makes this program so incredible is their dance instructor, Hannah Battista. Because Hannah is a talented dancer herself, she brings a level of authentic expertise, empathy, and passion to the floor that completely transforms her students. You can see the trust they have in her reflected in every routine—whether they are holding a flawless ballet pose or executing a high-energy contemporary piece.

A Unique Approach to Fitness

One of the most amazing things about the MHC Dance program is how the school integrates it into the curriculum. Instead of traditional gym classes, the girls are actually allowed to take dance class in lieu of physical education! It’s a brilliant way to keep students active, engaged, and passionate about physical fitness. They aren’t just running laps; they are learning choreography, spatial awareness, teamwork, and artistic expression.

Showcase Highlights

This year’s showcase was nothing short of spectacular. I’ve put together a collage of some of my absolute favorite moments from the performance, capturing a mix of clean studio portraits and the vibrant, dramatic energy of the live stage production.

Tech Week Day 3: Where the Magic Happens—Dress Rehearsal & TV Prep

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If you ask anyone involved in the Freddy Awards which day is the most pivotal, you might hear “Thursday.” But if you ask me the Freddy Awards photographer, the answer is always Wednesday.

Wednesday is where the magic truly happens. It is the bridge between the raw rehearsals of early tech week and the high-octane live broadcast of the awards ceremony. It is the day the State Theatre transforms into a full-scale television studio, and for me, it is the most rewarding day of the year to be behind the lens.

The Professional Shift: TV Prep

Walking into the theater on Wednesday evening feels different. The WFMZ-TV crew is all set up, their cameras positioned, and the production team is in “watching and learning” mode. They are mapping out every camera angle and every lighting cue, following a nearly identical tech rehearsal of the entire three-hour show. Watching the synergy between the theatrical performers and the television professionals is a masterclass in production.

The Visual Explosion: Full Costumes

This is the moment everyone has been waiting for. Wednesday is the first time all the actors, soloists, and ensembles are in full costume performing together on the State Theatre stage.

The transition from rehearsal hoodies and sneakers to vibrant, theatrical costumes is an explosion of color and character. It changes the way the students carry themselves—they aren’t just rehearsing anymore; they are the characters.

Why It’s My Favorite Day

As a photographer, Wednesday is my “gold mine” day. Because it is a dress rehearsal and not a live broadcast with a seated audience, I have the flexibility to capture the best possible action shots without the constraints of a live crowd or the strict sightlines of the actual ceremony. I get to document the sweat, the smiles, the intricate details of the costumes, and the peak energy of the routines. This is where I capture the “hero shots” that end up being favorites for years to come.

Dress rehearsal photo of the 2025 Freddy Awards. Photo by DAVE DABOUR Photography
Dress rehearsal photo of the 2025 Freddy Awards. Photo by DAVE DABOUR Photography

The countdown to the red carpet is almost over! If you’re a cast member or a parent, make sure you have the link ready to go. You can view all the magic from this week and our entire history of the Freddy Awards right here:

Dabour Photography Freddy Awards Gallery

Keep checking back—as soon as the magic from today is processed, it will be landing in the 2026 gallery!

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.