Tag Archives: Sydney

Meet Kayley: Our Newest Dance Ambassador (and Circus Performer!)

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Please join me in welcoming Kayley (@kayleyinmotion) as our newest dance ambassador! Kayley dances at West Jersey Youth Ballet (@westjerseyyouthballet), and she comes from serious dance lineage — her older sister Sydney is a current dance ambassador, and another sister, Zoey, is a past dance ambassador who has also helped out as a photo assistant.

One thing that makes Kayley unique: alongside dance, she also performs with a local youth circus. You can spot her Lambertville Youth Circus t-shirt in a few of these shots, right before she traded it for her dance costume.

We even got a shot of Kayley with her sister Sydney together in the sunflower field — always a treat when siblings can share a session.

Kayley smiles in a sunflower field wearing a Lambertville Youth Circus t-shirt, holding a sunflower and balancing a plate on a stick
Kayley peeks around a large sunflower with a playful smile, wearing her circus t-shirt
Kayley stands with arms outstretched and eyes closed, surrounded by sunflowers
Kayley dances in a blue costume in the sunflower field, reaching one arm out while holding a sunflower stem
Kayley and her sister Sydney pose together in a sunflower field, Sydney on pointe in a black and white costume, Kayley in a flowing blue gown
Kayley walks through a wildflower field at dusk in a blue and coral costume, one arm raised toward the setting sun

Sydney Returns: Sunflowers and Golden Hour

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I’m so glad to have Sydney (@squidneykdancer_2012) returning as one of my dance ambassadors this year. Sydney dances at West Jersey Youth Ballet (@westjerseyyouthballet), and this session took us out into a sunflower field at golden hour, then over to a nearby wooden gazebo to keep the fun going a little longer.

Sydney peeks out from behind a sunflower in a golden sunlit field, wearing sunglasses and a playful smile
Sydney poses in an arabesque on pointe in a sunflower field, reaching one arm toward the setting sun
Sydney stretches into a split on a white bench inside a rustic wooden gazebo, arms raised overhead
Sydney leans backward off a bench with legs extended straight up, framed by string lights and a star lantern
Sunflower Dance portraits for Dabour Photography dance ambassadors on August 9, 2026. Photo by DAVE DABOUR Photography

Elijah Returns: Sunflower Duets with the Dance Ambassadors

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I’m so happy to have Elijah (@elijahinthearts) returning as one of my dance ambassadors this year. Elijah dances at West Jersey Youth Ballet, and on top of that, he’s also a model and an actor.

One nice thing about being a guy who dances: there’s always a long line of talented dancers ready to pair up for a duet. These images are some of our favorites from a recent sunflower portrait session with a few of my dance ambassadors — Sydney, Becky, and Lenora out in the sunflower field, and a bonus stop in the wooden gazebo next door with Kayley, once everyone was up for a bit more.

Elijah kneels and holds Sydney's hand as she extends into a high arabesque in a sunflower field
Elijah and Becky dance hand-in-hand in a sunflower field at sunset, both leaning back with arms outstretched
Elijah and Lenora pose back-to-back in a sunflower field, Lenora extending one leg behind her
Elijah and Kayley pose playfully in a rustic wooden gazebo, Kayley holding out a sunflower
Sunflower Dance portraits for Dabour Photography dance ambassadors on August 9, 2026. Photo by DAVE DABOUR Photography

Happy Birthday, Sydney!

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Today we’re celebrating one of the most confident, expressive, and naturally charismatic dancers on our ambassador team — Sydney (@squidneykdancer). Even in her first year as an ambassador, she’s brought bold energy, creativity, and a spark that makes every session unforgettable.

From West Jersey Youth Ballet to specialty sessions like rain, powder, spooky portraits, and outdoor fabric work, Sydney steps into every concept with enthusiasm and fearlessness. Watching her grow as both a dancer and an artist has been such a joy.

Happy Birthday, Sydney! Here’s to another year of creativity, confidence, and standout moments in front of the camera.

Dance Ambassador Spotlight: Sydney (@squidneykdancer)

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A dynamic dance portrait of Sydney in a monochromatic red theme. She is wearing a red bodysuit, red tights, and red sunglasses, posing in a deep lunge with one arm extended straight upward against a vibrant red background.
A study in red, rhythm, and connection.
Ellery and Sydney brought a presence that turned this concept into something striking and unforgettable.
Proud to have these two as part of my dance ambassador team. Photo by DAVE DABOUR Photography

Some dancers grow into confidence over time, and others arrive already glowing with it. Sydney (@squidneykdancer) is firmly in the second category. Even though this is her first year as one of my dance ambassadors, she stepped into the role with a presence and individuality that’s unmistakably her own. She may look up to her older sister Zoey—also one of my ambassadors—but Sydney’s style, strength, and artistic voice are entirely unique.

Like several of my ambassadors, Sydney calls West Jersey Youth Ballet her dance home, and it shows in her technique, discipline, and the way she carries herself in front of the camera. She’s also close friends with Ellery, another ambassador, and the two of them bring out the best in each other during sessions—equal parts support, creativity, and just the right amount of mischief.

A dramatic action shot of a young dancer, Sydney, performing a wide split jump (grand jeté) in a rain machine. She is wearing a bright orange leotard, with her arms curved over her head, surrounded by thousands of frozen water droplets against a dark, moody background.
A high-action dance portrait of Sydney in a rain machine. She is performing a vertical leg extension (developpé) while wearing a bright orange leotard. Water splashes and droplets are frozen in mid-air around her against a dark, dramatic background.
A dancer, Sydney, in a purple floral leotard, performing a back-bending pose while leaning against a white wooden chair in a rain machine. Water is splashing and frozen in droplets around her against a dark background.

Sydney thrives in specialty sessions. She took to the rain machine like she’d been training for it, embracing the challenge and turning it into something cinematic. The powder session was no different—she handled it like a seasoned pro, shaping movement and expression with a confidence far beyond her years. Whether we’re outdoors with long, flowing fabric catching the wind or creating moody, spooky portraits in the studio, Sydney brings intention and artistry to every frame.

One of my favorite memories with Sydney happened last year during a proof‑of‑concept shoot. I had asked for one or two volunteers, and her sister Zoey jumped in immediately. Sydney tagged along, curious to see what this new session was all about. At one point, she stood off to the side with her arms crossed, giving me a look that said—without a single word—“When is it my turn?” And honestly, she was right. She earned that turn, and she’s made the most of every opportunity since.

As she heads into high school next year, Sydney plans to continue focusing on dance, and I have no doubt she’ll keep growing into an even stronger, more expressive artist. I’m grateful she joined the ambassador team this year, and I’m excited to see where her talent and determination take her next.

Some of my favorite images of Sydney:

A professional headshot of a young female dancer with her hair in a tight bun, wearing a black spaghetti-strap leotard, smiling against a plain white studio background.
A female dancer, Sydney, in a green leotard performing a dynamic pose. She is surrounded by layers of flowing, translucent white and mint green fabric that creates a sense of motion against a bright white background.
ance Ambassador Sydney performing on a stage with vibrant purple and blue brick-wall backdrop lighting. She is wearing a light blue long-sleeved dance dress and pointe shoes, captured in an elegant open-arm pose.
A young female ballet dancer in a wide white professional tutu and black bodice, smiling and posing with her hands on her chin. She is centered on a dark stage in front of closed blue velvet curtains.
A young female ballet dancer in a white professional pancake tutu with a black floral embroidered bodice. She is posing on a dark stage in front of deep blue velvet curtains, smiling with one arm extended and her feet in a ballet position.
A young dancer, Sydney, in a black leotard and white pointe shoes, posing next to a "Haunted Mansion" tombstone. She has a serious expression and is set against a textured magenta and smoky background with a black cat prop atop the gravestone.
A young dancer, Sydney, wearing a black hooded cloak, looking intensely at the camera. She is holding her hands over a glowing crystal ball on a pedestal, with a dramatic smoky purple and black textured background.
A high-fashion dance portrait of Sydney in a monochromatic red theme. She is wearing a red sleeveless bodysuit, red tights, and red sunglasses with her hair dyed bright red. She is sitting in a relaxed, thoughtful pose on white minimalist blocks against a deep red background.
A dynamic dance portrait of Sydney in a monochromatic red theme. She is wearing a red bodysuit, red tights, and red sunglasses, posing in a deep lunge with one arm extended straight upward against a vibrant red background.
A high-energy dance portrait of Sydney in a monochromatic red theme. She is wearing a red bodysuit, red tights, and red sunglasses, performing a high leg extension (arabesque) while balanced on one leg against a solid red background.
A conceptual dance portrait of Sydney in a monochromatic red theme. She is curled in a tucked, seated pose on the floor, wearing a red bodysuit, red tights, and red sunglasses. Her bright red hair falls over her face as she looks downward against a deep red background.
A conceptual dance portrait of Sydney in a monochromatic red theme. She is wearing a red bodysuit, red sunglasses, and a red top hat, posing in a deep squat with her hands on the floor, looking directly at the camera against a vibrant red background.
A young dancer, Sydney, posing with her arms crossed and a slight smile. She is wearing a dark, textured leotard that is dusted with white powder. She is captured against a solid black background with dramatic side-lighting that highlights the powder on her skin and clothing.
A dynamic dance portrait of Sydney performing a high leg extension (battement) while surrounded by an explosion of blue and green powder. She is wearing a black leotard against a solid black background, with the powder frozen in mid-air reflecting her movement.
A high-action dance portrait of Sydney performing a grand jeté (split jump) in mid-air. She is surrounded by a large, explosive cloud of purple powder that follows her movement against a solid black background.
A young dancer, Sydney, in a black leotard performing a deep lunge (second position) on a green grass field. A long, translucent light pink scarf is blowing dramatically in the wind behind her, framed by lush green trees and a bright sky.
A young dancer, Sydney, in a maroon velvet top and emerald green satin skirt, kneeling on a reflective floor. She is looking down with a smile into a decorative holiday gift box that is emitting a bright, magical white glow, surrounded by Christmas ornaments and fairy lights.
A young dancer, Sydney, in a floral leotard and pink dance skirt, crouching on a white studio floor. She is holding a large red tinsel heart, with a smaller heart made of red rose petals laid out on the floor in front of her.
A young ballet dancer, Zoey, sitting on a studio floor and smiling at the camera while tying the ribbons of her pointe shoes. She is wearing a white floral leotard and a white skirt against a light grey background.