DALLAS -- The Dallas Cowboys Rhythm & Blue Dancers presented by Miller Lite, the NFL's first and only co-ed hip hop professional dance team in the NFL, held its squad photo and cameo shoot all in one day.
The dancers were emailed a schedule of call times in 30 minute increments from 8-11 a.m. Upon arrival, the dancers were given the celebrity treatment one would expect from a Dallas Cowboys photo shoot as Gabriel Torres from Halcyon Days Salon & Spa at Neiman Marcus Northpark -- the official salon of the Dallas Cowboys Rhythm & Blue Dancers -- and makeup artists from Ishnae and Co. were on hand to inspire the dancers and help them look their very best for the picture that will represent the team to Dallas Cowboys fans all across the world.
While it is certainly an important occasion for the team, Dallas Cowboys Rhythm & Blue Dancers Director Jenny Durbin Smith ensures a relaxed atmosphere with music playing throughout the 10-plus hour day while being positioned next to photographer Brian Guilliaux to work out any kinks and make for smooth sailing on what could be a very stressful day. The veterans can all instantly recall what a whirlwind experience it was for them during their first year, so they are on hand to help the rookies with poses and style during their individual cameo shoots.
"This is my third squad photo shoot day," said veteran dancer Sammi Paradice. "I am certainly more comfortable in coming up with certain poses now and since we made the transition to co-ed in my second year, knowing what I was walking into made the whole process much easier."
After she announced the final team, Durbin Smith gave the dancers an ample amount of notice of the squad photo date in order for them to be prepared to look and feel their best in representing the Dallas Cowboys.
"In addition to my normal workout, I did extra cardio for the month prior to the squad photo shoot," Sammi said. "I also did a juice cleanse in the four days leading up to the shoot to lean out."
The squad photo shoot is annually one of the first big things the Dallas Cowboys Rhythm & Blue Dancers do as a full team and is a stepping stone for the rookies as the moment it feels like they are really a part of the Dallas Cowboys family.
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