Capturing the Movement: A Return to the Studio with Jocelyn

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!

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]

Elevating the Art: Dance Ambassador Ellery’s Stunning Return to the Powder Studio

When you have a dancer who is as passionate about the creative process as she is about the movement, magic is bound to happen. That is exactly what went down when one of my amazing dance ambassadors, Ellery (@its_ellevalentine), stepped back in front of my camera for her second go-round with the powder experience!

If Ellery looks familiar, it’s because she is no stranger to this setup. Last year, she braved the powder alongside some of her talented friends from the West Jersey Youth Ballet. But this year? Ellery wanted to up the ante, push her creative boundaries, and take her imagery to a whole new artistic level.

Preparation Meets Performance

To create truly breathtaking, high-fashion powdery art, we didn’t just wing it. Before the session, Ellery and I sat down to review potential poses, discuss angles, and plan out how to get the absolute most dynamic movement out of every cloud of powder.

That preparation paid off in a massive way.

[INSERT GALLERY OF ELLERY’S INDIVIDUAL SHOTS HERE]

Because we had a game plan, Ellery was able to focus entirely on her execution. She did her usual fantastic job—combining her technical ballet precision with dramatic, expressive shapes that made the powder look like an extension of her own body.

A Triple Threat: Dance, Theater, and Modeling

Watching Ellery work, it’s easy to see why her photos look like they belong in a high-fashion editorial. She is a truly versatile artist. Beyond being a gifted dancer, Ellery has a deep appreciation for modeling and is actively looking to pursue opportunities in the industry.

Her secret weapon? She is also no stranger to the theater stage!

That theatrical background shines through in her ability to project emotion, hold tension in a pose, and understand how to tell a story without saying a word. It makes her an absolute dream to collaborate with behind the camera.

The Masterpiece in Motion

Ellery, thank you for always bringing your “A-game,” your incredible work ethic, and your artistic vision to our sessions. You represent Dabour Photography so beautifully as an ambassador, and I am so proud of the art we created together during this session!

Ready to see Ellery’s jaw-dropping gallery?

Scroll down to see the results of our planning and passion in these highlights from her second powder experience!

[INSERT REMAINING FAVORITE GALLERY IMAGES OF ELLERY HERE]

A Birthday to Remember: Rhea’s Stunning Powder Dance Debut

When you run a specialized photography studio, you get used to people asking for the impossible—like throwing colored powder around in the dead of winter!

That is exactly how my story with Rhea began. Rhea, a talented dancer who is brand new to Dabour Photography, found my powder experience on Google and reached out in the middle of a freezing winter, ready to leap into the studio.

Of course, because safety and comfort are top priorities, I had to gently explain that throwing fine powder is an outdoor-only experience reserved for the beautiful, warm summer months. Instead of losing enthusiasm, Rhea did something only a truly dedicated dancer would do: she patiently waited.

When I finally announced the warm-weather dates, she was the first to jump on the schedule. And as it turned out, the timing couldn’t have been more perfect.

The Ultimate Birthday Celebration

What made this highly anticipated session extra special? The date we locked in fell exactly on Rhea’s birthday!

Talk about dedication. Instead of a traditional party, Rhea and her family drove nearly an hour and a half to spend her special day leaping, spinning, and creating gorgeous, powdery art in front of my lens.

For her very first time in front of my camera, Rhea was an absolute natural. She took direction beautifully, brought incredible energy, and trusted the process completely. The resulting images are powerful, elegant, and the perfect celebration of her talent.

Bringing the Dance Studio Family Together

Rhea had such an amazing time during her session that her mom was already looking toward the future before they even left. She asked if it would be possible to bring more dancers from Rhea’s home studio for a group experience.

My answer? An absolute, enthusiastic YES!

I love hosting group sessions. For any studios looking to do something similar, here is how we make it happen:

  • Gather the Crew: All it takes is a group of 6 or more dancers from the same studio.
  • Pick a Date: Reach out to me with a few date options that work for your group.
  • Build the Team: This experience is an incredible team-building activity for dancers. Watching each other leap, cheering each other on, and sharing the excitement of creating art together builds a bond that goes right back into the dance studio.

Welcome to the Dabour Photography Family, Rhea!

Rhea, thank you so much for choosing to spend your birthday creating magic with me. You did an incredible job, and I am so proud of the artwork we created together. I hope this was a birthday you’ll never forget, and I absolutely cannot wait to photograph you again in the future!

Powder, Passion, and Performance: An Artistic Dance Session with Lindsey, Alayna, and Eleanor

When a client tells you they are willing to drive well over an hour just to get in front of your camera, it is the ultimate compliment. But when they keep coming back for more? That is when you know you’ve found “your people.”

That is exactly how I feel about Lindsey and her incredible family.

A Familiar Face (and a New Adventure!)

If you’ve been following the blog, Lindsey might look familiar to you. Last year, she killed it during her senior portrait session. She loved the experience so much that she came back later that year for dance portraits—specifically to brave my rain machine experience.

Ever since then, Lindsey had her eyes set on the next big adventure: The Powder Experience. She patiently waited for our schedules to align, and when the dates finally locked in, she didn’t come alone. This time, she brought reinforcements.

Double the Sisters, Triple the Talent

For this session, Lindsey brought along her younger sister, Alayna, and her incredibly talented friend, Eleanor.

Working with three dancers in a high-energy powder shoot can be a whirlwind, but these three absolute rockstars blew me away. The movement, the timing, and the sheer enthusiasm they brought to the studio made every single frame magic.

Capturing the “Legendary” Sister Shot

While Eleanor, Lindsey, and Alayna all crushed their individual shots, we had to do something extra special for the sisters.

We spent some time coordinating, timing, and laughing our way through a few attempts to capture a truly legendary sister picture. The goal? A simultaneous, perfectly timed powder hair flip.

It takes serious coordination to get one dancer’s hair flip perfectly framed with powder—doing it with two at the exact same millisecond is next-level. But they nailed it.

A dynamic dance portrait of two sisters kneeling against a dark background, performing a simultaneous hair flip that creates an explosive, colorful arch of vibrant pink and yellow powder.
Powder dance portrait session on July 12, 2026. Photo by DAVE DABOUR Photography

No Retirement Allowed!

I think it’s safe to say the shoot was a massive success. In fact, Lindsey and Alayna’s mom was so thrilled with how everything turned out that she officially put her foot down regarding my career timeline:

“You absolutely cannot retire until you do Alayna’s senior portraits in a few years!”

Don’t worry, Mom—I’m not going anywhere! I am already counting down the years until Alayna is back in front of my lens for her own senior session.

Thank you so much to Lindsey, Alayna, and Eleanor for making the drive, bringing the energy, and helping me create some of my absolute favorite images of the year.

Want to see more of the action?

Scroll down to see some of my favorite highlights from this unforgettable, powder-filled day!

A dramatic dance portrait of a dancer in a black leotard balancing on pointe and bending forward in a dark studio, framed by an explosive cloud of bright green powder.

Powder, Passion, and Precision: Behind the Scenes with Our Dance Ambassadors

There is nothing quite like the chaotic, exhilarating magic of a powder dance portrait session. It is high-stakes, incredibly messy, and requires split-second timing from both the photographer and the dancer.

Wednesday evening, I stepped into the outdoor studio with four of our incredible dance ambassadors—Sydney, Emma, Molly S, and our newest (and youngest!) ambassador, Claire. We had a game plan, a mountain of powder, and a lot of creative energy.

My wife managed to capture some incredible behind-the-scenes (BTS) photos that show exactly what goes into making these jaw-dropping images. Let’s take a look behind the curtain at how the magic happened!

Before a single grain of powder flew, we huddled up. Powder sessions are high-energy and fast-paced, so communication is everything. I love this shot my wife caught of Sydney, Emma, Molly, and Claire locked in and ready for the game plan. Total professionals from minute one!

A behind-the-scenes shot of the photographer giving direction to dance ambassador Sydney before executing an outdoor powder dance pose.

Every dancer moves differently, which means the powder reacts differently. Here’s a peek behind the curtain of me and Sydney (@squidneykdancer_2012) brainstorming how to launch the powder to perfectly accentuate her lines. And wait until you see how the final shot turned out below…

Dance ambassador Sydney executing a graceful powder dance pose during an outdoor nighttime photoshoot on a black tarp.
Powder dance portrait session with four of my dance ambassadors on July 8, 2026. Photo by DAVE DABOUR Photography

Next up was Emma (@extendandelevate), who truly lived up to her social media handle. She brought an incredible mix of flexibility and power to the set, pushing through the dust clouds to deliver pure elegance.

Dancer Emma performing an inverted split on a black tarp outdoors at night, with dramatic clouds of white and blue powder exploding from her feet.
Powder dance portrait session with four of my dance ambassadors on July 8, 2026. Photo by DAVE DABOUR Photography

Welcoming Our Newest Ambassador: Claire

A special shout-out has to go to Claire. As our newest and youngest ambassador on set, stepping into a high-intensity powder session could have been intimidating. Instead, she completely crushed it! She took direction beautifully, showed amazing maturity, and delivered some of my favorite images of the night.

A dynamic nighttime portrait of dance ambassador Claire executing a mid-air leap while throwing bright yellow powder into the air against a dark background.
Powder dance portrait session with four of my dance ambassadors on July 8, 2026. Photo by DAVE DABOUR Photography

The Split-Second: Capturing Molly S

A behind-the-scenes over-the-shoulder view of the photographer taking a picture of dancer Molly as she throws a dramatic cloud of powder into the air during an outdoor portrait session.

Timing a powder explosion requires split-second precision. My wife snapped this awesome perspective from right behind my shoulder just as Molly (@mollystinson7) launched into the air. Swipe down to see exactly what my sensor saw at this exact millisecond!

Dancer Molly gracefully posing and tossing bright blue powder during an outdoor night photography session on a black tarp.
Powder dance portrait session with four of my dance ambassadors on July 8, 2026. Photo by DAVE DABOUR Photography

Want to Create Your Own Magic?

A massive thank you to my wife for capturing the behind-the-scenes gold, and to Sydney, Emma, Molly, and Claire for leaving everything out on the dance floor (literally!).

Sessions like this are exactly why I love what I do. If you are ready to create epic, show-stopping portraits that celebrate your passion for dance, let’s chat. Click here to get in touch and book your unique portrait experience.

Celebrating a Milestone: Vibe Dance Academy’s First Annual Recital

There is a unique kind of energy that surrounds a studio’s very first dance recital—a blend of nerves, adrenaline, and pure joy that you can feel the moment you walk into the theater. It was an honor to document that debut for the dancers and staff at Vibe Dance Academy this year.

From the quiet focus of our studio portrait sessions to the electrifying atmosphere of their live performances, it has been a pleasure to partner with this new studio as they take their first steps in the local dance community.

Capturing the Vibe

Documenting a debut recital is about more than just getting the shot; it’s about capturing the story of the studio’s arrival. I had the pleasure of creating professional dance recital portraits for the students, ensuring every dancer felt confident and prepared for their moment in the spotlight.

Once the curtain went up, the energy was infectious. My goal behind the lens—both for the action photography and the video production—was to preserve the technique, the artistry, and the sheer enthusiasm that the dancers brought to every routine. Seeing the students perform with such poise, especially in their first showcase, was a testament to the hard work they have put in throughout the season.

A Bright Future Ahead

Congratulations to the entire team at Vibe Dance Academy on a spectacular first recital! You have set a high bar, and it is clear that this is just the beginning of a wonderful journey for your studio.

I am already looking forward to seeing what’s next for this talented team. If you are looking for a studio that brings passion and energy to every movement, I highly recommend checking them out at vibedancenj.com.


250 in Motion: An American Spirit Dance Portrait Series

This is a once-in-a-generation patriotic portrait series for dancers, built around movement, strength, joy, and American spirit.

In honor of America’s 250th birthday, I’m excited to introduce a new limited dance portrait series: 250 in Motion: An American Spirit Dance Portrait Series.

This concept was created especially for dancers. It combines a large American flag backdrop, red, white, and blue styling, and expressive movement to create portraits that feel bold, celebratory, and timeless.

The goal of this series is simple: to celebrate the spirit of the moment through dance.

These sessions are not about costumes, props, or novelty. They are about movement, strength, personality, and creating something memorable during a once-in-a-generation milestone year. Dancers can keep the look clean and classic with a simple red, white, or blue leotard, or add more movement with a skirt, fabric, or other dancewear that fits the patriotic theme.

A limited dance portrait experience celebrating America’s 250th birthday through movement, strength, and patriotic style.

The first test session brought this idea to life beautifully. We created everything from strong standing portraits to dramatic leaps, flowing fabric images, ballet-inspired poses, and fun Americana-inspired moments. The result is a series that feels energetic, proud, artistic, and very much centered on the dancer.

250 in Motion is a great fit for dancers who want something different from a traditional recital or studio portrait. It can work for ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, musical theater, or any dancer who wants a patriotic portrait with personality.

Session availability will be limited due to my spring and early summer schedule. If you are interested in creating your own 250 in Motion portraits, please reach out for details and available dates.

More of my favorite images from the initial session:

Artistic Dance Portraits: A Pre-Picture Day Session with Kylie

There is something special about the quiet moments in the studio before the rush of a full production begins. Recently, I had the pleasure of working with Kylie, a talented member of the Senior Dance Team at ShowBiz Kidz Dance Center in Lopatcong, NJ, for a specialized artistic portrait session.

While “Picture Day” is always a highlight for the studio, these extra sessions allow us the time and creative freedom to move beyond the standard poses. We focused on highlighting Kylie’s incredible technical form, strength, and contemporary movement—qualities that make her a standout on the senior team.

The Power of a Dance Portfolio

Kylie’s dedication to her craft is evident in every frame. As she continues to grow with the ShowBiz Kidz family, I’m personally rooting for her to become a Dance Ambassador next season. She certainly has the poise and leadership for the role!

Custom portrait sessions like this are essential for dancers looking to build a professional portfolio. Whether you’re preparing for:

…having high-quality, artistic imagery is what sets you apart from the competition.

I love partnering with local dancers in Warren County and the surrounding area to capture their unique style. If you’re interested in a creative session that goes beyond the traditional recital photo, let’s connect!

Senior Dance Portraits with Mia — A Full‑Circle Moment

There’s something uniquely special about photographing a dancer you’ve worked with for years. Mia has been in front of my camera many times — for artistic portraits, senior photos, and now her final dance portrait session before she heads off to college. Each time, she brings the same qualities that make her such a joy to photograph: talent, focus, and a natural ease that turns every pose into art.

This year marks a big milestone for her. Mia is a high school senior, and in just a few months she’ll be attending Montclair, where she’ll study both dance and fashion — a combination that fits her perfectly. Watching her step confidently into this next chapter has been inspiring, even if I selfishly wish I had just a little more time to create with her.

Earlier in the year, during one of our artistic sessions, I asked Mia and her mom if she still had her very first dance costume. Her face lit up as she said yes. I told her, “You have to bring it to our next session.” And she did.

Seeing her holding that tiny costume — the one that started it all — was a full‑circle moment. It was a reminder of how far she’s come, how much she’s grown, and how dance has shaped her into the artist she is today. Photographing her with it felt like capturing a bridge between the beginning of her journey and the incredible future waiting for her.

I’m so proud of Mia and everything she’s accomplished. While I’m excited to see where her talent takes her next, part of me wishes I had a few more years to create more incredible dance portrait art with her. But that’s the beauty of these sessions — they freeze time, even as life keeps moving forward.

Here’s to Mia — to her artistry, her dedication, and the next chapter she’s about to write.


Some of my favorite images from the session: