Tag Archives: valentine dance portraits

Dance Ambassador Spotlight: Rylea (@balletlifeofrylea)

Posted on by
Reply

Some dancers make an impression the moment you meet them — not because they’re the loudest in the room, but because of the quiet confidence they carry with them. Rylea (@balletlifeofrylea) is one of those dancers. This is her first year as one of my dance ambassadors, and from the very beginning she’s shown me exactly why she belongs here.

My first impression of Rylea was that she was soft‑spoken but approachable — the kind of dancer who listens, observes, and then surprises you with thoughtful conversation when you least expect it. In between locations during sessions, she’s always willing to chat, and not with one‑word answers either. She shares what she likes, what she’s working on, what inspires her. Those moments matter to me. They help me understand the dancer behind the technique.

I first met Rylea when she came to me for a headshot session for some summer intensives she wanted to apply to. Even then, I noticed her attention to detail. That trait showed up again during picture day at West Jersey Youth Ballet, her home studio. She reached out afterward because she noticed one of her poses wasn’t included in the final delivery. She wasn’t upset — she was curious. Was it blurry? Was something off? She genuinely liked the pose and wanted to understand. I checked, and she was absolutely right: it was a great image that somehow didn’t make the cut. That level of awareness is rare, especially in a younger dancer.

Fast forward to this year’s ambassador program. I put out a call looking for one or two volunteers to help me test a new location. Within 30 minutes, I had six replies. I figured that was more than enough… and then Rylea messaged me asking if it was too late. I told her I already had more dancers than I needed. Then she mentioned she lived in the town where the shoot was happening. That sealed it — of course she had to come. I invited her to join me the next evening while I was photographing senior portraits, and she fit right into the flow. But then she surprised me and showed up that night not expecting to be photographed – but to support her dance friends!

A young ballet dancer, Rylea, wearing a pale pink tutu and leotard with floral embellishments. She is posing gracefully with her arms raised and a soft smile on a dark stage, illuminated by warm stage lights and sparkling chandeliers at the State Theatre.
Dabour Photography dance ambassadors at the State Theatre of the Arts on September 23, 2025. Photo by DAVE DABOUR Photography
A ballet dancer, Rylea, performing an athletic leap across a wide, dark stage. She is wearing a purple tutu and is captured in a graceful split mid-air, with warm stage lights and a large chandelier visible in the background of the historic theatre.
Dabour Photography dance ambassadors at the State Theatre of the Arts on September 23, 2025. Photo by DAVE DABOUR Photography

One of the moments that truly solidified her ambassador status happened at the State Theatre of the Arts in Easton, PA. Most of my ambassadors attended the invite‑only session, but Rylea’s mom let me know she had school picture day and could only stay for the first hour. So we made it work. We started with group portraits on the stage, and then I photographed Rylea first. She may be one of my younger ambassadors, but when she stepped onto that stage, she owned it. Her first few solo portraits were exactly the images I had envisioned when planning the entire event. She didn’t just rise to the occasion — she defined it.

A young male dancer, Elijah, dipped-posing a female dancer, Rylea, on a downtown sidewalk at night. Rylea is wearing a teal and white ombre dance dress, and Elijah is in a blue shirt and white pants. The background features warm glowing bistro lights and a street scene in Easton, PA.
Dance portraits during a photo walk in Easton, PA on Oct 26, 2025. Photo by DAVE DABOUR Photography
A young dancer, Rylea, performing a technical ballet pose while balancing on the stone edge of a large water fountain. She is wearing a teal-to-white ombre dance dress and is captured against the backdrop of the historic Soldiers and Sailors Monument and the cityscape of downtown Easton, PA.
Dance portraits during a photo walk in Easton, PA on Oct 26, 2025. Photo by DAVE DABOUR Photography

Since then, we’ve created even more together: studio sessions, artistic concepts, specialty portraits, and a photo walk in Easton with Elijah that turned into one of those perfect evenings — golden light, great energy, and portfolio‑level images at every stop.

Rylea is thoughtful, dedicated, and quietly powerful in a way that makes you pay attention. I’m grateful she’s part of this ambassador team, and I’m excited for the years ahead — especially the duets I already see forming in my mind.

Here’s to many more sessions, more creativity, and more beautiful art together.

Some of my favorite images created together so far:

Dabour Photography dance ambassadors at the State Theatre of the Arts on September 23, 2025. Photo by DAVE DABOUR Photography
A young dancer, Rylea, performing a technical leg extension while standing on a rustic wooden stool. She is wearing a teal leotard and purple skirt, posed against a red brick wall with a large industrial window and a "Seven Sirens" logo in the background.
A young dancer, Rylea, performing an elegant ballet pose in a narrow industrial alleyway. She is wearing a teal leotard and purple skirt, with her arms extended and one foot on pointe, framed by the historic red brick walls and large windows of the Silk Mill.
A young dancer, Rylea, in a dusty rose lace dance top, holding a bouquet of pink roses close to her chest. She has her eyes closed with a peaceful expression and one arm gracefully arched above her head against a soft grey studio background.
A young dancer, Rylea, laughing while wrapped in a large, colorful silk scarf that transitions from blue to pink and purple. She is standing in a studio with a white floor and grey background, surrounded by scattered rose petals.
A young dancer, Rylea, performing a dynamic leap in a white and red lace costume. She is surrounded by a large, flowing red silk fabric that creates a circular frame around her as she jumps against a deep red studio background.
A young dancer, Rylea, sitting gracefully on the floor in a large, pale pink tulle skirt and a black lace bodice. She is holding a bouquet of red roses and looking away thoughtfully against a deep red studio background.
A young dancer, Rylea, performing a technical ballet pose on a bright red studio floor. She is wearing a black and white patterned leotard with a large, voluminous white tulle skirt, looking upward with her arms gracefully extended.
A young dancer, Rylea, performing a technical pose while seated on a white wooden cube. She is wearing a black dance leotard and tan pointe shoes, with one leg extended vertically and her gaze directed upward against a neutral grey studio background.
A young dancer, Rylea, performing an athletic contemporary pose using white wooden cubes as props. She is wearing a black leotard and tan pointe shoes, balancing with one foot on a tall cube and her body arched forward in a dynamic, sharp-angled position against a grey studio background.
A young dancer, Rylea, performing a technical ballet pose using two white wooden cubes of different heights. She has one foot on pointe on a lower cube and her other leg bent in a passé position, with one arm extended gracefully against a neutral grey studio background.
A professional headshot of a young girl, Rylea, with her hair in a neat ballet bun. She is wearing a black dance leotard and smiling softly, captured against a bright, high-key white studio background.

Scarlet Sisters: Red‑y to Dance

Posted on by
Reply

A Bold Winter Fine Art Dance Portrait Session

Two dancers in red bodysuits and red wigs posing artistically against a bold red backdrop for a fine art dance portrait session.
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

Every now and then, a photo session comes along that feels like pure creative play — the kind where the concept, the dancers, and the energy all line up in the best possible way. My recent winter fine art dance portrait session with two of my dance ambassadors, Ellery (@its_ellevalentine) and Sydney (@squidneykdancer), was exactly that.

The spark for this session came from Ellery’s mom, Ariana. When she first shared the idea with me — red backdrop, red bodysuits, red wigs — I’ll admit I had a few reservations. It was bold. It was specific. It was a LOT of red. But the more we talked through the vision, the more it clicked. By the time we stepped into the studio, the concept had transformed into something striking, dramatic, and beautifully editorial.

What made the session truly unforgettable, though, was the friendship between these two dancers. Ellery and Sydney are best friends, and their connection shows up in every frame. My favorite part of the entire shoot — beyond the art we created — was the near‑constant laughter. They brought a joy and ease to the studio that elevated every moment.

And then came the finale.

By the end of the session, the tights had taken a beating. It was clear they weren’t going to survive another round, so the girls decided to go full Hulk Hogan and rip them off with all the dramatic flair they could muster. It was absolutely priceless — the perfect ending to a session already overflowing with personality.

Below are 10 of my favorite hero images from Scarlet Sisters: Red‑y to Dance — a concept that started as a spark and turned into something unforgettable.

Ellery and Sydney posing together in red wigs and red bodysuits against a bold red backdrop during their Scarlet Sisters dance portrait session.
Ellery and Sydney posing together in red wigs and red bodysuits against a bold red backdrop during their Scarlet Sisters dance portrait session.
Sydney performing an expressive dance pose in red wig and bodysuit during the Scarlet Sisters session.
Sydney performing an expressive dance pose in red wig and bodysuit during the Scarlet Sisters session.
Ellery and Sydney posing together in red wigs and red bodysuits against a bold red backdrop during their Scarlet Sisters dance portrait session.
Ellery and Sydney posing together in red wigs and red bodysuits against a bold red backdrop during their Scarlet Sisters dance portrait session.
Ellery and Sydney posing together in red wigs and red bodysuits against a bold red backdrop during their Scarlet Sisters dance portrait session.
Ellery and Sydney posing together in red wigs and red bodysuits against a bold red backdrop during their Scarlet Sisters dance portrait session.
Fine art dance portrait of Ellery in red, showcasing strong lines and dramatic lighting on a red backdrop.
Fine art dance portrait of Ellery in red, showcasing strong lines and dramatic lighting on a red backdrop.
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

As a New Jersey dance photographer, these are the sessions that remind me why I love what I do — the blend of artistry, trust, personality, and the freedom to create something truly unique.

This session is part of my Winter Fine Art Dance Portraits, available now through the end of March. Sessions are limited, and once they’re gone, they’re gone.

Reserve your spot:
https://proofs.dabourphoto.com/booking/winter-fine-art-dance-portraits