Senior Dance Portraits with Mia — A Full‑Circle Moment

Posted on May 19, 2026 by dabourphoto

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:

A senior high school dancer named Mia performing an inverted headstand pose on a white studio floor; she is wearing a dark blue athletic outfit and white sneakers with her legs extended in a wide, symmetrical split. — Dance portraits for ShowBiz Kidz Studio Wednesday April 22, 2026. Photo by DAVE DABOUR Photography

A senior high school dancer named Mia in a blue contemporary dance outfit performing a floor pose with one hand on the ground and her other arm extended gracefully; she is looking directly at the camera with a focused expression. — Dance portraits for ShowBiz Kidz Studio Wednesday April 22, 2026. Photo by DAVE DABOUR Photography

Dance Ambassador Spotlight: Hope

Posted on March 24, 2026 by dabourphoto

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: Olivia Klein (@oliviaklovesballet)

Posted on February 23, 2026 by dabourphoto

Young ballerina Olivia Klein wearing a purple leotard and a long, flowing sheer white skirt, performing a dynamic dance pose in a studio. — 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: