The first thing I noticed about Areana Lopez, was her gorgeous smile.

Areana, who goes by Ari, started dancing when she was 2 years old, and is a member of the Abby Lee Dance Company Mini Team that is featured in Season 6 of Dance Moms.

It didn't take long into our 4th of July themed shoot, for her exuberant personality to shine through.

A true professional, she dances about 20 hours each week. With each click of the shutter, her talent became more and more evident, and her confidence radiated.

Her energy and passion were not only admirable, but contagious.

She struck me as a free-spirit who is not only beautiful inside and out, but knows what she wants to accomplish and is focused on achieving it.

Ari is multi talented. She also helps her Mom, Sari Lopez, with sewing and merchandising for her Kandi Kouture Dancewear line, which she founded in 2014. She also models for the company,

She is definitely a rising Star and one to watch. I am super excited to see what the future has in store for her. I think her 196k Instagram followers would agree.