Think back to your high school yearbook for a moment… what’s the first thing that comes to mind?  If you’re anything like me (in high school in the 90s, 80s or before), you’re cringing at the thought of your yearbook photos.   Nowadays, senior portrait photographers are a legitimate thing and they have taken the average and awkward senior headshot to a level beyond the next level.  Kids these days are so put together, fashionable and fierce.  And they all look 10 years older than they are.  But let’s face it, not everyone has the means to hire a professional senior portrait photographer.    Yet, every senior deserves to feel great about their senior portrait.  This is especially true for seniors who are dealing with life issues that go way above and beyond the average teenager.  Enter… the Alliance of Professional Women’s (APW) philanthropic arm, The Alliance Foundation, along with a team of volunteer professional photographers!

Every year, this organization and several professional photographers volunteer to put on a special photography event for a group of graduating high school seniors from New Legacy Charter School in Aurora, Colorado.   Run and organized by APW member Willy Wilson of Life Unstill Photography, the Alliance Foundation Community Outreach Committee hosts an afternoon event of senior photos for students.  These students are all parents.

This was my first year volunteering, and while I wasn’t sure what the day would be like, I was overwhelmed with the amazing people I got to meet, especially my senior Janet.  She was so lovely to work with, and I was totally blown away by her poise, wisdom and strength.

Giving back to the community is hugely important to me, and I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to participate in this event.  I can’t wait to hopefully do it again next year!

Below are some of my very favorite photos of Janet from my day with her.  I hope you love them as much as I do!

Also, if you’d like to read more about the event and see other photos of the super-star seniors from that day, click on the two links below which feature a behind-the-scenes blog from Willy Wilson and another event-blog by the APW.  Both are loads of fun to read and you’ll spot me in there, behind the camera with Janet, as well!

Click here for the Blog by Life Unstill Photography

Click here for the Blog by the APW