Tag Archives: dance photography blog

Dance Ambassador Spotlight: Hope

Posted on by
Reply

Every ambassador brings something unique to the Dabour Photography family, but Hope brings a spark all her own. Although she was the last to officially join this year’s ambassador team, she is anything but last when it comes to talent, drive, and presence. Hope is one of those dancers who steps into a space and immediately elevates it — not just as a performer, but as a creator.

Hope is no stranger to the stage. She doesn’t just dance; she choreographs, shapes movement, and tells stories through motion. That artistic instinct shows up in every session we’ve done together. She understands lines, shapes, and emotion in a way that makes photographing her feel effortless.

Hope Kiehl performing as a dancer in "Carousel"; she is in a white lace dress, balancing on one leg with the other extended vertically in a high kick, arms raised, on a stage with a coastal backdrop.
A stage photo from "Carousel" featuring Hope Kiehl in mid-air performing a grand jeté; she wears a white lace dress and ballet shoes against a coastal-themed backdrop with wooden pier props.

Our journey actually started long before she became an ambassador. I first met Hope back in 2019 when she was Miss New Jersey, greeting the community with the same warmth and confidence she brings to the studio today. Not long after, she jumped in front of my camera again — this time as the featured dancer for a local community theater group. Even then, she had that unmistakable presence that makes you stop and pay attention.

Dance Ambassador Hope performing on pointe in a rain simulator; she is arched back with one arm raised as a dramatic spray of water droplets creates a halo effect around her against a dark background.
Dance Ambassador Hope, @misscentraljerseycoastline_nj, making a splash during a Rain Machine Experience session. Photo by Dave Dabour Photography.

When I launched my Rain Machine Experience, Hope was one of the first to dive in — literally. She embraced the challenge, the mess, the drama, and created some of the most striking images from the entire series. And the moment the Powder Experience became available, she was right there again, ready to push boundaries and explore something new. That willingness to experiment, to trust the process, and to bring her full self to every concept is exactly what makes her such a powerful ambassador.

Dance Ambassador Hope performing a dynamic leap in a black athletic outfit; she is enveloped in a vibrant cloud of blue and pink powder against a dark studio background.
Dance Ambassador Hope performs a graceful, reaching pose in a black athletic outfit, framed by a massive, dual-toned cloud of vibrant orange and sky-blue powder against a dark background.

Beyond dance, Hope continues to shine in the pageant world. She is currently Miss Central Jersey Coastline (@misscentraljerseycoastline_nj), using her platform to engage in community initiatives, share life skills, and inspire others with her leadership. Her personal Instagram, @ki3hl, offers a glimpse into just how much she juggles — and how gracefully she does it.

Hope is just as busy as I am. She’s a full‑time high school teacher, a choreographer, and an active contributor to multiple community programs. Her ability to balance so many roles while still showing up with energy, creativity, and heart is nothing short of impressive.

And we’re not done yet. I’ll soon be working with Hope on a special project designed to help advance her career, and I’m genuinely excited for what’s ahead. Collaborating with her is always a privilege, and I look forward to continuing that journey in the future.

Hope may have been the final ambassador added to the team, but she closes this year’s spotlight series with strength, style, and a story that ties everything together. I’m grateful our paths crossed years ago, and even more grateful they continue to cross in new and exciting ways.

Here’s to Hope — dancer, choreographer, educator, creator, and an incredible addition to the Dabour Photography Dance Ambassador family.

Dance Ambassador Spotlight: Amelia (@ameliarosedancer)

Posted on by
Reply
A young dancer, Amelia, performing an athletic contemporary pose on a white rectangular pedestal. She is leaning back with her arms curved over her head and one leg extended upward, wearing a navy blue lace leotard and a sheer patterned overskirt against a grey studio background.
Finding balance in the unexpected. Amelia proves that dance is as much about the space you occupy as the movement itself. I love how the clean lines of the pedestal contrast with her fluid, athletic grace in this fine-art studio session.

Every once in a while, a dancer comes into your life in a way that feels almost meant to be. Amelia (@ameliarosedancer) is one of those dancers. My connection with her family goes back years—long before she ever stepped into my studio for dance portraits. When they first moved to New Jersey, I photographed their family as part of a fundraiser with the local school. They signed up each year, and it was such a joy watching the kids grow and getting to know them a little more each time.

Fast forward a few years, and I began photographing dancers at West Jersey Youth Ballet. During one of those sessions, a mom mentioned that another family recognized my name—they told her I had photographed them in the past. That’s when it clicked: Amelia’s family had found their way back into my life. And I’m so glad they did.

This is Amelia’s first year as a Dabour Photography Dance Ambassador, and she has already brought so much poise, grace, and quiet strength to every session. She’s one of those dancers who carries herself with maturity beyond her years—thoughtful, expressive, and beautifully intentional in her movement. We’ve created several portrait sessions together already, including the ambassador‑only session at the State Theatre of the Arts in Easton, PA, where she absolutely shined.

Her younger sister, Maddie, tags along from time to time, and she’s quickly proving to be a “chip off the old block”—full of talent, personality, and the same spark that makes this family so special.

One of the most exciting parts of Amelia’s journey right now is that she has recently begun going en pointe. It’s a milestone every dancer dreams of, and seeing her step into this next chapter is inspiring. I can’t wait to create the next level of portraits with her as she grows stronger, more confident, and even more expressive.

Working with Amelia has been a highlight of this ambassador season, and I’m looking forward to creating many more beautiful images together.

Some of my favorite images of Amelia so far:

A young dancer in a jazz-style costume consisting of a black and white pinstriped vest, matching wide-leg trousers with a side stripe, white gloves, and a fedora, posing seated on a grey studio floor.
A young ballet dancer, Amelia, performing a pose on center stage at the State Theatre. She is wearing a white classical tutu with a light blue bodice, positioned against a backdrop of purple stage lighting and exposed brick.
A young dancer, Amelia, performing a dynamic contemporary or jazz-ballet pose on a theater stage. She is wearing a black leotard with a dark purple or navy blue sheer skirt, positioned in a deep lunge with one arm raised against a backdrop of blue stage curtains.
A young ballet dancer, Amelia, in a white and blue tutu performing on a grand stage at the State Theatre. She is captured in a graceful profile pose with one arm extended toward a bright overhead stage light, set against a dark, atmospheric theater interior with glowing wall sconces.
A young dancer, Amelia, performing an athletic pose in a rain simulator. She has one foot balanced on a white wooden chair and her arms out for balance while water falls around her, creating a dramatic splashing effect against a dark background.
A young dancer, Amelia, performing a professional dance pose while lying on her back in a shallow pool of water. Her legs are extended straight up in a vertical split, and her reflection is visible in the water as rain falls around her against a dark, dramatic background.
A young dancer, Amelia, posing barefoot on a sandy lakeshore. She is wearing a white top and a flowing navy blue skirt, captured in a joyful movement with one arm raised toward the sky against a background of water, trees, and a cloudy blue sky.
A young dancer, Amelia, posing on a large rock in an outdoor park setting. She is wearing a light blue and grey ballet bodice with a white classical tutu, looking off to the side with one arm gracefully extended. The background features lush green trees and a clear blue sky.
A young dancer, Amelia, performing a graceful ballet pose in front of large red and gold Christmas ornament props. She is wearing a dark red top and a shimmering emerald green skirt, holding a long, flowing red and gold silk veil that arcs over her head against a dark studio background.
A young dancer, Amelia, in a navy blue leotard with lace detailing and a sheer white skirt, posing with her arms gracefully framed around her face. She is illuminated by a soft spotlight against a dark grey background, creating a dramatic, fine-art portrait style.
A silhouette of a ballet dancer, Amelia, performing a graceful pose with one arm raised and one leg slightly bent. She is wearing a classical white tutu, standing against a vibrant, saturated red circular spotlight on a dark stage.
A silhouette of a ballet dancer, Amelia, performing a graceful pose with arms rounded and one leg in a soft plié. She is wearing a classical white tutu and stands against a vibrant, saturated blue circular spotlight on a dark background.