Over the past four years I have developed this amazing program called the Candid Crew. These are current juniors at the end of their junior year that apply to be part of a model team that represents the studio. This idea was developed for multiple reasons:

1. I get to plan and execute some pretty crazy and over the top concept shoots with these young adults. A "normal" senior client typically doesn't walk into my studio and ask to be transformed into a 50's greaser or a tribal warrior. These sessions feed my creative passion and the reps LOVE being apart of something different. 

2. I wanted to bring a group of kids, from different schools, together and foster an environment where they could develop new friendships. Let's face it, high school is hard and especially for this generation and having to CONSTANTLY live up to a reputation or an image. My studio and these new friends are an opportunity for them to come in just as they are, no preconceived notions, and just celebrate what makes them different and unique with a whole new peer group. Have fun, make memories, and have a new support system.

3. I wanted to use art and photography to help build empowerment, especially in my young woman. I work with teenagers. If I had a dollar for every teen that walked into my studio that was self conscious about something on their body I wouldn't need to be a photographer ever again. Getting to know my seniors you quickly realize how hard they are on themselves. I blame the in your face social media that is constantly telling them what the "norm" is suppose to be for their body type, their look, even their interests. I wanted to use photography and art to show them that they are beautiful not only on the outside (because they need to hear that) but that celebrating what makes them unique is AWESOME. My goal was that by the end of a senior portrait experience with me my seniors would walk a little taller, be ready to take on the next chapter in their life, and know they can enter a room and own it because they're amazing.

I'm proud to say that I have been able to achieve my goals. I love the relationships I have gained within this program. I love that my past seniors (reps or senior clients) still reach out to me and give me life updates. I love that I have made a difference. I love that through my passion, I was able provide them with such a positive life experience. 

However, I'm not done. Over the past couple years I have had a want and a need to take my rep team a step further. I have wanted to build on the empowerment and leadership aspect of my program. I want to encourage these amazing young men and women to get involved, get excited, and give back. I want to give them tools to use for their future beyond just an amazing portrait experience. I'm super proud and so excited to announce the Candid Community project. With the help of my Senior Rep Team and my new Senior Ambassador Team; we will be doing community service projects, sponsoring local non-profits, and challenging them to give back to their own passion projects. During their time in this program Reps and Ambassadors will be earning points with the opportunity to win a Scholarship through the studio for the Rep and Ambassador with the most points. 

I have hopes that through incentive, initiative, action, and encouragement this will create a fire for life long want to Give Back to their communities. 

The Class of 2022 Senior Reps and Ambassadors will be reaching out in their own communities and on social media asking for donations as we sponsor 3 different local non-profits over the next 10 months. If you can, I encourage you to reach out to these seniors and help them earn points towards earning that college scholarship and helping them achieve their goals!