Welcome Our New Dance Ambassador: Jordin!

Posted on June 19, 2026 by dabourphoto

I’m excited to welcome Jordin @jordincheyenne as one of the newest Dabour Photography Dance Ambassadors! Even though she’s just officially joining the ambassador team, she’s no stranger to my camera. I’ve had the pleasure of photographing her many times over the years — both inside Showbiz Kidz Dance Studio and on a variety of creative sessions elsewhere. Every time, she brings confidence, artistry, and that unmistakable spark that makes her images shine.

Jordin is a proud member of the Senior Competition Team at Showbiz Kidz, where she trains in a wide range of dance styles. She truly loves them all — but Jazz is where she feels most at home. It shows in her movement, her energy, and the way she lights up the frame the moment the music hits.

Our very first dance portrait session together as an official ambassador was my “250 in Motion” themed shoot, celebrating our country’s 250th birthday. It was the perfect way to kick off her ambassador year — bold, creative, and full of movement. Jordin brought so much energy and personality to the concept, and it set the tone for all the exciting sessions we’ll be creating together throughout her senior year.

This coming year is a big one for her as she steps into her senior year of high school, and I’m thrilled to be part of that journey. We’ll be creating her senior portraits along with a variety of unique dance portrait concepts throughout the year — the kind of sessions that let her personality, technique, and creativity take center stage.

Welcome to the ambassador team, Jordin. It’s going to be an incredible year ahead.

Dynamic powder dance portrait by Dabour Photography featuring ambassador Jordin performing a high-flying leap surrounded by a vibrant cloud of yellow powder during an SBK session. — Powder dance portraits on June 23, 2025 at Dabour Photography.

Dynamic studio dance portrait by Dabour Photography featuring an ambassador performing a dramatic braided hair flip in black dancewear during an SBK session. — Powder dance portraits on June 23, 2025 at Dabour Photography.

Dance Portraits in Asbury Park with Vivi — A Special Ambassador Session

Posted on June 18, 2026 by dabourphoto

Dynamic outdoor dance portrait by Dabour Photography featuring an ambassador striking a classical pose in a black leotard on the wooden boardwalk in front of historic architecture in Asbury Park, NJ. — Dance ambassadors Vivi and Lily at Asbury Park for some dance portraits. Photo by DAVE DABOUR Photography on June 4, 2026

Some sessions just feel extra special — and this one with Vivi @balletvivi in Asbury Park was exactly that. These creative, on‑location adventures are something I reserve exclusively for my Dance Ambassadors, and they’re encouraged to dream big. If they have a concept in mind and it’s possible, we make it happen. That’s part of what makes the ambassador program so meaningful: collaboration, creativity, and the freedom to explore new ideas together.

Vivi had been hoping for an Asbury Park session for a while, and we originally planned to go in May. But between her schedule and mine, the month slipped away. In the end, the timing worked out perfectly — the weather on our shoot day couldn’t have been better. Warm sun, soft breezes, and that unmistakable Asbury energy.

The murals along the boardwalk made an incredible backdrop for her dance portraits. Each one brought out a different side of her artistry — bold, expressive, and full of movement. And of course, we couldn’t leave without heading down to the water’s edge. The beach gave us those soft, dreamy images that feel like summer distilled into a single frame.

I’ll be including a handful of images from the session in this post so you can see just how beautifully Vivi brought this location to life.

Dynamic outdoor dance portrait by Dabour Photography featuring ambassador Vivi posing en pointe in black dancewear and sunglasses in front of the colorful Asbury Park mural in New Jersey.

Dynamic outdoor dance portrait by Dabour Photography featuring an ambassador gracefully posing en pointe in black dancewear in front of a vibrant "Choose Love" street art mural in Asbury Park, NJ.

Welcome Our New Dance Ambassador: Molly!

Posted on June 17, 2026 by dabourphoto

A collage of four distinct dance portraits of Molly. From left to right: Molly posing in white dancewear in front of an American flag backdrop, leaping dynamically outdoors near a rocky stream, performing a stylized studio pose with a red hat and white chair, and executing an artistic backbend on a studio floor.

I’m thrilled to welcome Molly to this year’s Dabour Photography Dance Ambassador team! @mollyy.in.motion

Molly is no stranger to my camera — in fact, I’ve had the joy of photographing her and her older sisters for many years. Watching her grow from a young dancer into the confident, versatile performer she is today has been one of those full‑circle privileges that makes this work so meaningful.

She brings talent, dedication, and a genuine love for dance to every session. Whether it’s tap, contemporary, ballet or anything in between, Molly throws herself into each style with energy and artistry. Her passion shows in every frame.

This year has already been a special one for her. I recently had the honor of photographing her Sweet 16 celebration, capturing the joy, personality, and sparkle of such an important milestone. And earlier in the season, I photographed her junior varsity volleyball team, where she showed the same determination and spirit she brings to the stage.

Molly trains at Showbiz Kidz Dance Studio in Lopatcong, NJ — @sbkdance — where she is a proud member of the Senior Competition Team. Her dedication, versatility, and strong work ethic shine through in every rehearsal and performance. The technique and confidence she’s developed at Showbiz Kidz translate beautifully into our portrait sessions, and it’s always exciting to see how she brings that competitive‑team polish to each creative concept we explore together.

I’m incredibly excited to continue working with Molly throughout the year. With her creativity and drive — and our shared history of great sessions — I know we’ll create some exceptional dance portraits together.

Welcome to the team, Molly. It’s going to be an amazing year.

Here are some of my favorite recent dance portraits with Molly:

Molly, a dancer in a flowing mint green dress and pointe shoes, strikes a graceful arabesque pose on a snow-covered wooden bridge surrounded by bare winter trees. — Early SBK 2026 dance portraits by Dave Dabour Photography

Molly, a dancer with blonde hair, performs a deep backbend bridge pose on a crisp white studio floor, wearing flowing sheer black pants and a nude patterned top. — Early SBK 2026 dance portraits 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: Emma (@extendandelevate)

Posted on March 17, 2026 by dabourphoto

A young ballet dancer in a white tutu performing a grand jeté leap across a dark stage. Her arms are extended gracefully, and she is framed by warm stage lights and deep blue theater curtains in the background. — Dabour Photography dance ambassadors at the State Theatre of the Arts on September 23, 2025. Photo by DAVE DABOUR Photography

Some dancers grow in front of your lens year after year, and watching that evolution is one of the best parts of what I do. Emma (@extendandelevate) is absolutely one of those dancers. Even though this is her first year as one of my dance ambassadors, I’ve been photographing her for years—and every session reminds me just how much talent, drive, and personality she brings to her art.

Emma is known for many things, but her incredible flexibility is always front and center. She gets into poses that make my back hurt, and I’m not even the one doing them! What amazes me most is how effortless she makes it all look. One moment she’s a poised, elegant young woman; the next she snaps into a bold, sassy pose like she flipped a switch from 0 to 100.

A young dancer, Emma, sitting on a stage floor in a white Clara ballet dress and a sparkling tiara. She is smiling while holding a wooden Nutcracker doll, captured against a blue and black smokey background with professional studio lighting.

This past season, Emma stepped into the iconic role of Clara in her studio’s production of The Nutcracker. I had the chance to create some beautiful, artistic portraits of her in those costumes, and she brought such grace and storytelling to every frame. It’s a role that demands both technique and heart, and she delivered both with maturity beyond her years.

Emma is also one of those dancers who starts doing the pose before I even finish asking. She listens, interprets, and moves with instinct—and that makes every session with her a creative joy. Whether we’re working on clean classical lines, dramatic lighting, or something playful and expressive, she brings her whole self to the moment.

I’m grateful to have Emma in this year’s ambassador team, and I’m excited for all the portraits, ideas, and creative adventures still ahead. Watching her grow as both a dancer and an artist has been a privilege, and I look forward to photographing her for many more years to come.

Know a dancer or studio looking for artistic dance portraits?
I’d love to help bring their vision to life—feel free to share my work or send them my way!

A ballet dancer in a white leotard and a voluminous white tulle tutu stands on pointe on a dark stage. She has her arms crossed over her chest in a graceful pose against a backdrop of deep blue velvet theater curtains.

A young dance ambassador, Emma, performing an athletic stag jump in an open field at Spruce Run. She is wearing a seafoam green long-sleeved dance top and a black tutu, captured mid-air with a lake and sunlit trees in the background.

Dance Ambassador Spotlight: Lily (@lilyana.en_pointe)

Posted on March 4, 2026 by dabourphoto

Some dancers step in front of the camera with a quiet confidence that grows stronger every time you work with them. Lily (@lilyana.en_pointe) is one of those dancers. This is her first year in my Dance Ambassador program, and I’m genuinely glad she joined. She also happens to live very close to me—so when inspiration strikes or I need someone to test a new idea, she’s often the first person I reach out to. And if she’s available, she’s always up for it.

My earliest sessions with Lily were at her home studio, West Jersey Youth Ballet, where her technique and discipline were immediately clear. But it was our first out‑of‑studio session—sunflower portraits—that really showed me her dedication. Even in a completely different environment, she carried herself with the same focus and artistry she brings to the studio.

A young ballet dancer, Lily, performing a graceful pose on a wooden bench in a vibrant sunflower field. She is wearing a light green leotard and white pointe shoes, with one leg extended and an arm raised, surrounded by tall yellow sunflowers under a clear blue sky. — Sunflower dance portraits with Lily and Vivi on Aug. 9, 2025. Photo by DAVE DABOUR Photography

Her mom has been an incredible presence as well. As the Executive Director at WJYB and a dance teacher with over 30 years of experience, she brings a deep understanding of movement, lines, and artistry. Having her nearby during sessions is always a bonus.

One of the moments that stands out most for me was our outdoor dance session at the Silk Mill. Lily absolutely shined there. One of the portraits from that day remains one of my favorites of her—full of strength, grace, and that spark that makes her unique.

Dance portraits with some of my dance ambassadors at the Silk Mill in Easton, PA. Photo by DAVE DABOUR Photography

Because Lily is homeschooled, she has a flexibility in her schedule that many dancers don’t. That opened the door for several outdoor dance portrait sessions this year, taking full advantage of the beautiful weather. One of those sessions took us to Columcille, where she blended seamlessly into the natural, almost mystical landscape.

A young ballet dancer, Lily, posing against a towering, narrow standing stone at Columcille Megalith Park. She is wearing a floral patterned leotard and a light purple skirt, standing on pointe with one arm reaching up the textured rock face and the other extended gracefully toward the forest path. — Dance ambassadors visit Columcille Megalith Park on Oct. 16, 2025. Photo by DAVE DABOUR Photography

Most recently, we wrapped up an artistic dance portrait session that highlights her growing talent and expressive ability. Each time we work together, she brings more confidence, more creativity, and more of her own voice to the images.

An artistic studio dance portrait of Lily posing on white geometric blocks against a solid deep red background. She is wearing a maroon leotard and standing on pointe with one foot on a block, creating sharp, angular lines with her arms and legs in a high-fashion, contemporary dance pose. — Artistic Dance Portraits for Lily with some Valentine theme too! Photo by DAVE DABOUR Photography

I’m excited to share several of my favorite images of Lily in this spotlight. She’s had a fantastic first year as an ambassador, and I’m looking forward to seeing how she continues to grow as both a dancer and an artist.

A young ballet dancer, Lily, performing a high leg extension (developpé) while standing on a forest path at Columcille Megalith Park. She is wearing a purple dance skirt and floral leotard, surrounded by tall trees and stone monuments. — Head shot for Lily on February 10, 2026. Photo by DAVE DABOUR Photography

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: