Youth in Focus’ Freelance Project gives our advanced students the opportunity to use photography to build job skills by shooting real-world assignments for outside clients. What better way to practice their craft than to shoot fun, family photos at the 2nd Annual Holiday Portrait Studio?!
On Saturday, Dec. 3rd, 6 talented Freelance students built 2 sets to create holiday memories for families from across the agencies and organizations we work with in the 2100 building. Under the guidance of long-time-YIF-teaching-artist/Freelance-Project-Manager Sherry Loeser, this year’s holiday portrait studio was a great success. Student photographers Jordan K., Kathy S., Jestoni G., Jennifer P., and Nina C. photographed over 30 families from Treehouse, Wellspring, the YMCA, YAS, YIF and Rainier Scholars. They captured wonderful moments that the families with cherish for years to come. Portraits were offered on a pay-what-you-can-up-to-$25 basis. Families received 1 8×10, 2 5×7′s, 4 wallets, and a digital photo file on cd.
One student photographer was especially excited to help families make memories. The family mentioned that they were going out for teriyaki after the shoot, so instead of cheese, she had them all smile and say “teriyaki!” She said, “It was an awesome experience to photograph these families because they were real families!” Another student commented that it was a good feeling to see families leave happy and see the relief on their faces that they’ll have a great holiday photo for this year.
The portrait studio would not have been as successful without the help of a host of adult volunteers. Thank you! We would also like to send a giant thank you to Panda Lab for a generous printing donation. Thank you, also, to Dee McQuesten of McQuesten Framing for her generous donation of 5×7 picture frames!
