Tag Archives: professional headshots

Capturing the Movement: A Return to the Studio with Jocelyn

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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!

Mia’s Dance Audition Portrait Session | Dance Audition Photos & Senior Dance Portraits

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I’ve had the pleasure of photographing Mia for several years now, and it’s honestly hard to believe she’s already a senior in high school. Watching dancers grow over time is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do, and Mia’s journey has been especially meaningful to witness.

This session was all about preparing for the next big chapter in Mia’s dance education and career. Mia came to me in need of a dance audition portrait session, designed specifically for dancers applying to college dance programs, university dance departments, and competitive dance intensives. Every audition session includes a clean, professional dance headshot along with dance audition photos that schools and programs require — images that clearly show technique, lines, strength, flexibility, and artistry.

Mia's dance audition headshot for college dance program applications, photographed by Dave Dabour Photography.
Action shot from Mia's dance audition portrait session with Dave Dabour Photography, showing strength and flexibility.
Professional dance audition portrait of Mia by Dave Dabour Photography, showcasing technical lines and artistic expression.
Dance audition portrait of Mia by Dave Dabour Photography, showcasing professional technique for university dance program applications.
Dance audition portraits for Mia with some artistic and senior portraits mixed in too. Photo by DAVE DABOUR Photography
Dance audition portrait of Mia by Dave Dabour Photography, captured for university dance program applications.
Dance audition portraits for Mia with some artistic and senior portraits mixed in too. Photo by DAVE DABOUR Photography

Artistic Dance Portraits

If time allows during a dance audition photoshoot, I always love when dancers stay a little longer to create more artistic dance portraits — and Mia truly shines in this space. She has an incredible ability to push past the obvious or “safe” pose and create images that feel expressive and intentional.

That creativity instantly reminded me of her Rain Machine dance photoshoot experience from a couple of years ago. Even then, Mia never went for the easy option. She explored shapes, movement, and emotion in a way that elevated every frame. That same mindset carried into this session, and together we created some truly beautiful dance art.

Dance audition portrait of Mia by Dave Dabour Photography, captured for university dance program applications.
Creative studio dance photography of Mia by Dave Dabour Photography, featuring unique posing and professional lighting.
Artistic dance portrait of Mia in a white outfit, performing a dynamic standing pose with one leg extended and arms reaching upward against a white studio background.
Mia creating a dynamic and sculptural dance shape in a studio setting, demonstrating artistic expression and movement.
Artistic dance portrait of Mia in a white outfit, performing a strong horizontal pose while balancing with her arms on a white studio block.
Artistic dance portrait of Mia in a white outfit, performing a deep backbend floor pose with one leg reaching toward the ceiling in a studio setting.

Senior Dance Portraits

Since Mia is also a high school senior, we incorporated senior dance portraits into her session as well. These images kept a strong dance influence while also celebrating her graduation year.

One of my favorite details was a meaningful graduation-year prop her mom created especially for her — a personal touch that tied her senior year into the images in such a thoughtful way. We also highlighted the two dance studios where Mia spent her years as a competition dancer, honoring the places that helped shape her training and growth.

Senior dance photography of Mia by Dave Dabour Photography, featuring custom 2026 graduation-year props for a high school senior portfolio.
Senior portrait of Mia wearing a graduation cap and gown, sitting behind large "2026" props in a professional studio setting.
Senior dance photography of Mia by Dave Dabour Photography, featuring custom graduation props and dance studio highlights for a 2026 senior portfolio.

Looking Ahead

Mia plans to apply as a dual major in dance and fashion, which feels like the perfect combination for someone with her creativity, movement quality, and eye for detail. I can’t wait to see what she creates next, and I have no doubt she’ll excel in whatever path she chooses.

It’s been an absolute joy documenting her journey over the years — from creative experiments to major milestones like this one. Sessions like Mia’s are a reminder of why professional dance portraits and audition photos are about so much more than just images. They’re about preserving growth, passion, and possibility.

You can follow Mia’s journey on Instagram: @miatolomeo

Interested in a dance audition or senior portrait session? Reach out to schedule your own experience and let’s create something meaningful together.