When I took most of these photos nobody had any idea that the high school seniors of 2020 would be robbed of highly anticipated activities, prom, and a traditional graduation. We had no idea. We hadn’t even heard of Covid-19 and we certainly didn’t know the damage it would cause. My heart has ached for the high school seniors I know and love, the ones I’ve photographed this year, and the ones I’ll never even meet. In this moment it all just feels so unfair and I can’t imagine the emotions they’ve felt over the last couple of months. I don’t even feel like there are adequate words to be said that can articulate what living in this time is like. I try to put my feelings into eloquent words worthy of a blog post, but fall short. All that said, through this whole thing I have seen so many good people swoop in and try to make up for what these kids have lost. To help them feel seen. To remind them that they are loved and supported. I love people like that.

Ten years from now, the sting of a lost senior year will have faded and these kids will be well on their way to changing our world for the better. They’ll have careers, families, and new goals and dreams. I LOVE teenagers. I think they are among the most remarkable people on earth. I admire their resilience, tenacity, strength, and drive. Here are some of the incredible seniors I’ve photographed this school year.

Class of 2020, I applaud you and I love you.

-KD

Well hello there!

That’s probably my favorite greeting. This is so wild, my first blog post. I feel somewhat embarrassed that I’ve been at this for ten years and I’ve never had a website, never done a photography blog post. The last time I wrote a blog post was in the mid 2000’s when I did things like Friday linky parties and everyone’s URL ended in blogspot.com. But I digress. This is now the space where I’ll attempt to impart a little humor, a deep thought or two, and most importantly, some images of the beautiful humans. I get to work with. Welcome, friends. I’m excited about this new little adventure.

I think I’ll start with a photo of my own family. Photo credit goes to the very talented, very sweet, Jill Cornelius of JC-Originals Photography. These are my people. Nathan and I have been together since 1998 when we were just young, broke, and not as experienced in life as we are now. The good old days? Nah. Chandler is the oldest. He’s 17 and a talented basketball player. He also does fantastic impressions and is so funny. He’s fiercely loyal to those he loves. Kennedy is next. She’s 15 and the only girl. I’m so grateful that she really likes me a lot. She is sweet and so deeply feeling, like me. We get each other. Will is third in line and he’s 12. He is brilliant and funny. One of the best kids I know. Reid is the caboose. He’s 8. Reid is kind. Like really kind. Way more kind than any 8 year old should be. He reminds me how to love people when it feels hard. It sounds trite, but life really is so much better with good people by your side. And I write this during one of the craziest and most uncertain times in the history of the world. I am so thankful for these guys and I’m blessed that they support what I do, so I can keep doing it.

Once again, thanks for stopping by. Much love to you!

-KD