Tag Archives: Powder Experience

Powder & Poise: Emma’s First Powder Experience

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Emma (@extendandelevate) is one of my dance ambassadors, and I’ve photographed her in more sessions than I can count — but this was her very first time at the Powder Experience. As always, she showed up and made it look easy, bringing the flexibility and control she’s known for into every burst of color.

Dancer Emma leaping mid-air in a wide switch leap as blue and orange powder explodes around her at night
Emma catches air and color in the same frame.

Emma trains at A.C.I. (@a.c.i.dance_), and it shows — every shape she hit tonight, from the mid-air leaps to the inverted holds, had that trained precision that makes powder photography actually work. The color doesn’t do the work; the dancer does.

Emma balanced on one leg in an attitude turn, surrounded by swirling purple and lavender powder
Emma inverted in a headstand with legs extended wide apart, white and blue powder bursting outward
Emma arched backward with hair swinging, a trail of blue powder through a cloud of white dust
Emma tipping into an off-balance handstand with legs bent, framed by a glowing ring of blue powder
Powder dance portrait session with four of my dance ambassadors on July 8, 2026. Photo by DAVE DABOUR Photography

If you’re a dancer curious about trying a Powder Experience session of your own, reach out — I’d love to create something like this with you.

Dance Ambassador Spotlight: Elijah (@elijahtheboydancer)

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A young man, Elijah, a Dabour Photography Dance Ambassador, demonstrating extreme core strength by balancing horizontally on a large stone at Columcille Megalith Park. He is wearing a long-sleeved maroon shirt and black leggings, holding his body straight and parallel to the ground while supported only by his arms on the rock. The background features ancient-looking stone ruins and a hanging metal bell.
🗿 Gravity? Never heard of it. Elijah showing off some incredible core strength at Columcille Megalith Park.

Some dancers bring talent. Some bring personality. And some—like Elijah (@elijahtheboydancer)—bring a spark that lights up every session. This is Elijah’s first year as one of my dance ambassadors, and he has already shown that he’s not only a dedicated dancer but also a natural performer who feels completely at home on the stage and in front of the camera.

A young man, Elijah, and a young girl, Maddie, posing during a Rain Machine photography session. Elijah stands behind Maddie, who is in a pink leotard performing a wide leg stretch (straddle) while being lifted or supported. Water droplets are captured mid-air against a dark background, creating a dramatic splash effect.
A young man, Elijah, and a young girl, Adriana, posing during a Rain Machine photography session at Dabour Photography. Adriana is in a pink leotard, performing a balanced leg extension (arabesque) while Elijah supports her hand. Water droplets are falling throughout the frame against a dark studio background.
A young man, Elijah, and a young girl, Rylea, performing a dance duet on a cobblestone alleyway in Easton at dusk. Elijah, in a teal shirt and white trousers, supports Rylea in a graceful lean. Rylea wears a matching teal and white ombre dance dress. String lights glow in the soft-focus background, creating a warm, bokeh effect.
A young man, Elijah, and a young girl, Rylea, posing in front of a large stone monument and water fountain in Easton, PA. Elijah, in a teal shirt, stands with one arm out, while Rylea, in a teal and white ombre dress, performs a graceful pose with one arm raised. The city buildings and bare trees of the square are visible under an early evening sky.
Dance portraits during a photo walk in Easton, PA on Oct 26, 2025. Photo by DAVE DABOUR Photography

One of the things I’ve enjoyed most about working with Elijah is his love for duets. He’s joined me for several sessions paired with another dancer, and every time, the results have been remarkable. He has a gift for connection—matching energy, shaping movement with a partner, and creating images that feel alive.

A young dancer, Elijah, in a vibrant pink button-down shirt and black leggings, performing a high leg extension. His father stands behind him, wearing a black "Dance Dads for a Cure" t-shirt and glasses, smiling as he helps support Elijah's leg. They are in a white studio setting.
A young dancer, Elijah, performing a high C-jump in a studio. He is mid-air, wearing a vibrant pink button-down shirt and black leggings, with his back arched and feet tucked toward his head. The background is solid white.

Elijah also surprised me in the best way when he asked to participate in my Dance Dads for a Cure fundraiser. I assumed he wanted to join with his mom—which would have been wonderful—but he had something more meaningful in mind. He wanted to dance with his dad. Elijah is incredibly proud of the support his dad gives him as a dancer, and after his dad faced some health challenges in the past, this was the first time they were able to do something like this together. Photographing the two of them was powerful, heartfelt, and something I’ll never forget.

A young man named Elijah, a Dabour Photography Dance Ambassador, wearing a black hooded cloak and gesturing magically toward a glowing crystal ball on a pedestal against a textured red background.
Dabour Photography Dance Ambassadors Elijah and Sydney posing against a mottled red and black background. Elijah wears a white dress shirt with a gold bowtie and black trousers, holding his hands up near his head, while Sydney wears a long white vintage-style lace dress with her arms crossed.

Another thing you quickly learn about Elijah: he loves anything Halloween. So much so that he participated in my Spooky Portraits not once, but twice—and he came with more ideas than we could possibly fit into a single session. His creativity, enthusiasm, and imagination made those shoots unforgettable. And don’t worry, Elijah… we’ll get to the rest of your ideas next year.

A young man, Elijah, a Dabour Photography Dance Ambassador, posing within a narrow stone doorway at Columcille Megalith Park. He is wearing a long-sleeved maroon shirt and black leggings, with his hands placed on the rough stone walls on either side of him. The natural light highlights his face and the textures of the ancient-looking stone structure.
🏰 Elijah perfectly framed by the historic stone architecture of Columcille Megalith Park.
A young man, Elijah, a Dabour Photography Dance Ambassador, performing a balanced tree pose (Vrksasana) on a grass path at Columcille Megalith Park. He is wearing a long-sleeved maroon shirt and black leggings, with his hands pressed together above his head. He is flanked by two massive, upright standing stones (megaliths) under a clear blue sky with autumn trees in the background.
🧘 Finding balance among the giants. Elijah at Columcille Megalith Park.

Because Elijah is homeschooled, he sometimes has the flexibility to join daytime sessions. One of those opportunities turned into a standout moment this season: a collaborative outdoor session at Columcille with two other dance ambassadors. Together, they created some truly unique dance art—movement, landscape, and creativity blending into something special.

Elijah brings heart, humor, dedication, and originality to everything he does. I’m grateful he joined the ambassador team this year, and I’m excited to see what we create together next.

Here are some of my favorite images of Elijah:

A young man, Elijah, a Dabour Photography Dance Ambassador, posing in a powerful wide-legged stance during a Rain Machine session. He is wearing a black tank top and shorts, with his arms extended out to the sides. Water is falling around him in a dense, rain-like pattern against a dark background.
A young man, Elijah, a Dabour Photography Dance Ambassador, posing with a slight smile after a Powder Experience session. He is covered in colorful photography powder, specifically green and blue, and is wearing a dark, distressed grey shirt. The background is solid black, highlighting the textures of the powder on his skin and hair.
A young man, Elijah, a Dabour Photography Dance Ambassador, performing a dynamic dance pose in a Powder Experience session. He is leaning back with his arms spread wide as a massive explosion of light blue powder radiates outward in a V-shape from behind him. He is wearing a black cutout athletic top against a solid black background.
A young female dancer in a black leotard kneeling on a studio floor. She is looking upward with a dramatic expression as a large, vertical cloud of vibrant green and blue powder spirals into the air behind her, mimicking the movement of her hair. The background is solid black.
A young man, Elijah, a Dabour Photography Dance Ambassador, performing a high leap or "straddle jump" mid-air outdoors. He is wearing a light teal shirt and white trousers. In the background, a green metal bridge spans a river with golden autumn trees and a hillside visible under a clear sky.
A young man, Elijah, a Dabour Photography Dance Ambassador, posing in a strong, grounded stance with arms crossed. He is wearing a black t-shirt and black leggings. Above him, a vibrant light-blue silk fabric is captured mid-air, floating gracefully across the top of the frame against a clean white studio background.