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Dayton High School Senior Portrait Project

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I have always felt a strong desire to use photography as a way to help people.  I am a former graduate of DHS,  just like many of the students there today,  I had to work to pay for my life while I was in high school.   It was stressful.  When you are living day to day, something like Senior Photos is a luxury that is out of reach.   This year, I have set aside time to gift every Senior at Dayton High School Senior Portraits.  I have been dreaming up this project for almost a year and I am so happy to see it come to fruition.    With organizational help from the school,  I have photographed over 30 Seniors in 2 weeks.  I have one more full day of photos next week.  My goal is to have all of the photos ready by May so they are delivered in time for graduation announcements. 

What developed with the project is more than I expected.  The students have inspired me and shown me so much of their strength and endurance in the short time I have been with them.   They are kind and thoughtful.  They have been so gracious to me for taking the photos.    I am very proud of them, they truly deserve to be celebrated.    Many are the first to go to college, some the first to graduate high school.   Some told me stories about how they want to help people because someone helped them.  They are wise beyond their years and full of so much heart.   No amount of money in the world would mean as much to me as the experience I have had.   They let me in on personal pieces of their lives and dreams and allowed me photograph them openly.  It has been  beautiful.  I am grateful to them for their trust in me. 

I know that one day when they are in a position to help others, they will think about this experience and be reminded of our time together.  I sincerely believe even the tiniest act of genuine kindness has the potential to create a ripple that can turn into a wave.   These kids are our future and I am so excited to see what they do!

Initially, I planned to give each student a photo session and 1 8x10 print, which I would purchase out of pocket.  After spending time with them and realizing just how many great photos we can capture in such a short time (20-25minutes) my hope is to raise enough money to give each student all of the printed photos from their session including wallets that they can trade with friends.  To me, that is all part of the Senior Portrait experience.   Digital images will get lost on a computer,  I think it is important to have something hang on the wall.   Your donation will be used to purchase prints and packaging materials for their portraits. 

I will share photos once I finish editing and get permission from the students. 

Thank you for reading this story and giving if you can.  Every donation is appreciated.

Organizer

Nikita Gross
Organizer
Cincinnati, OH

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