Skirt and Scarves dance portraits at West Jersey Youth Ballet on Sunday September 8, 2024. Photo by DAVE DABOUR Photography
Some dancers grow in quiet, steady ways — the kind of progress you only notice when you’ve photographed them over many seasons. Olivia Klein (@oliviaklovesballet) is one of those dancers. She has been with me since the very beginning of my ambassador program, and every time she steps in front of my camera, she brings a little more strength, artistry, and confidence than the time before.
Olivia currently dances with West Jersey Youth Ballet (@westjerseyyouthballet), where her dedication shows in every rehearsal and every performance. What amazes me most about Olivia is how consistently she improves. She shows up ready to work, ready to grow, and ready to give her all — whether we’re shooting something classic, creative, or completely new.
She’s also closely connected to several of my other ambassadors. Olivia and Vivi are great friends and often join forces for dance portrait sessions, feeding off each other’s energy and artistry. And her younger sister, Brielle, has become a familiar face at specialty sessions — often jumping in with Olivia for portraits together. It’s been a joy watching Olivia’s world expand through dance, friendships, and family.
Olivia always makes an impact when she’s in front of my camera. She brings a quiet determination, a thoughtful presence, and a genuine love for dance that shines through every image we create together. I’m grateful to have her as one of my original ambassadors and look forward to seeing where her dedication takes her next.
Some of my favorite images of Olivia:
Skirt and Scarves dance portraits at West Jersey Youth Ballet on Sunday September 8, 2024. Photo by DAVE DABOUR Photography
Every dance ambassador brings something unique to my camera, but some dancers become woven into the fabric of my work in a special way. Vivi Taggart (@balletvivi) is one of them.
Vivi has been with me since the very beginning — long before my ambassador program officially existed. I’ve photographed her through countless seasons, styles, and creative experiments. In fact, other dance photographers have asked me more than once if she’s my daughter because she appears so often in my feed. While she isn’t, I’ll admit there are stretches where I see my dance ambassadors more than some of my own family.
What makes Vivi stand out is her willingness to jump into anything. Outdoor portraits? She’s in. Low light? High key? Holiday themes? Powder? Rain? Sunflowers? Valentine concepts? She’s already tying her shoes and warming up. She’s the first to raise her hand when I want to test a new lighting setup or explore a fresh idea, and she brings the same enthusiasm every single time.
Her dedication to her craft is unmistakable. Vivi trains relentlessly and spends her summers in intensive programs that leave her with only a sliver of downtime. This upcoming summer, she’ll be attending The Rock School’s five‑week Ballet Intensive, followed by one week of their Contemporary Intensive in Philadelphia, and then two weeks at Ducon in Virginia. Her commitment to growth is inspiring, and it shows in every frame we create together.
Vivi take dance instruction at West Jersey Youth Ballet @westjerseyyouthballet) in Annandale, NJ
It’s always a joy to photograph Vivi — her artistry, her work ethic, and her trust make her an essential part of my creative world. I’m grateful for every session we’ve shared and look forward to many more years of her in front of my lens.
Some of my favorite images of Vivi from just the past year:
For more information on my dance ambassador program please go here. Accepting applications for next year starting June 2026.
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.
Dabour Photography 