The Mayo High School Photography Club is providing free senior photos this year for students across the Rochester Public Schools system. The photoshoot will be held on Saturday, November 1st, at Cascade Loop Park.
Seniors can sign up by scanning the QR code on the flyer attached to this article (below). Through the Google form, students have the option to upload photo ideas or inspiration to help photographers capture their preferred style. The photoshoot rules are that people who sign up first are served first, walk-ins are welcome, but those who haven’t signed up ahead of time may need to wait in line. Make sure to sign up fast!
Members of the Photography Club believe that Senior photos are a way to celebrate the effort and dedication that students have put into the last four years, but they can be expensive, so many students choose to skip them. The Photography Club hopes to change that. Their goal is to ensure that every senior has the opportunity to take part in this school tradition.
Mrs. Freund, the Photography Club advisor, emphasizes the emotional importance behind the project, stating, “It’s a memory – maybe you have that photo framed, you know? It helps people remember us the way we choose and want to be remembered.” This project isn’t only about filling yearbook pages; it is about giving students something to remember their hard work, friendships, and growth.
Leah Odubeko, a Photography Club Board member, shared what inspired the project: “Last year, my friends and I were talking about how exciting senior photos would be, but when we looked at the price for a session, we knew many students wouldn’t be able to afford it. That didn’t sit right with us.” It is both impressive and inspiring to see students taking the initiative to close the gap they noticed in their community, fueled solely by genuine concern for their peers.
Mercy Elijah, a Photography Club board member who’s planning on taking photos at the event, believes this project captures what photography is really about. “We’re not just pointing a camera and clicking. We’re trying to bring out personality, laughter, and confidence. That’s what makes the portraits memorable.” Without a doubt, photography as more than a technical skill; it’s about connection and expression. By focusing on capturing each student’s personality, Mercy Elijah hopes that each senior will feel seen and celebrate their accomplishment of graduating, even more.
The yearbook is like a puzzle, with each of the senior portraits being a puzzle piece. When a student’s portrait is missing, the full puzzle of the class isn’t complete. By giving more opportunities to students, they are helping complete the puzzle of the class of 2026!
