Introducing Wayne Central High School's Olivia. As part of the Class of 2023, this incredibly busy, young lady has had quite a year. During our first meeting, I ask the seniors a bunch of questions and always get excited as they talk about all their interests and what their future plans might be. It was clear to me right away that Olivia was someone who had the determination and drive to take her anywhere she wanted to go.

Along with her love of music (she plays piccolo, flute and saxophone), she's a talented athlete earning her black belt in karate at Kuk Sool Won and playing volleyball and softball for school. She and her Varsity Volleyball teammates were Section V Class B Champions 2020, 2021 and 2022 and placed second for the NYSPHSAA State Championships for 2022. Olivia made the 2022 NYS All Tournament Team and received the Varsity Most Valuable Player Award. In softball, she and her teammates  made 2021 and 2022 First Team All League and she was given the award for the 2023 Best Defensive Player!

One of the things she was excited about for her senior year was being exposed to the medical side of academics with the New Vision Medical Careers Program. New Visions is a one-year career exploration program through Boces 2 that provides highly motivated seniors with the opportunity to gain valuable insights into Health Science career options from a real-world perspective. Clearly, her academics reached a high level as she was also inducted into the National Honor Society at Wayne and graduated with a Regents diploma with Mastery in Science and Mathematics. 

Her plans after high school are to attend college at Penn State University in the Pre-Med Honors Program  she aspires to become an emergency room doctor. At Penn, she also plans to play volleyball and softball. She's sure gonna be busy!!

For Olivia's Experience Session, she chose Warner Castle at Highland Park. What a great location to highlight this beautiful girl. I think the images speak for themselves. She was awesome!

Hayes Photography offers not only loose prints, but albums, multi-image collages, canvas gallery wraps and more. There are a few examples of what Olivia and her mom chose from her session included here. 

Olivia, I know you're destined for great things. You should be proud of all your accomplishments and I wish you the very best for a bright future!

Be happy, work hard, have fun and thanks for choosing me for your senior portraits!!!

Please congratulate Olivia on all her accomplishments with a special message below and thanks for visiting the blog.

Introducing Natalia, actor extradordinaire!

I have had the pleasure of meeting and working with this determined, talented, young woman twice. A few years ago, I photographed her headshots and last year for her senior pictures.  She was confident and poised back then and the years since haven't changed those qualities.

Natalia has been acting for a long time. Her drive and determination have gotten her involved in not only school productions, but local theater companies like OFC Creations Theater Center, JCC Center Stage, Musical Theater Ed, and projects with the RIT Film School and their student run stage productions. She has even attended the prestigious UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television for their summer program.

For her senior session, it was a must to make portraits around her number one love of acting.  The Webster Thomas High School stage made perfect sense as a great location. Her presence, vintage dress and the dramatic lighting resulted in some stunning images! 

We headed to the George Eastman Museum for the second part of her Deluxe Session and had a beautiful day on the grounds of the facility with perfect weather. The variety of locations including gardens and architectural elements made for a some truly beautiful backdrops.

Not only is Natalia a talented actor, but academically she's top notch. She earned Summa Cum Laude at Thomas this year and gets high praise from her teachers. She plans to attend Hofstra University's Department of Drama and Dance in the fall.

If you want to check out more of what Natalia does the best, visit My Big Fat Gay Italian Wedding at the MT Ed theater to get tickets for the end of the month.

I want to wish Natalia the very best for her final few days as a senior (I know the senior trip was crazy fun!) and much happiness and success for her future!

Thanks to her and to her mom for choosing Hayes Photography!!!

 Now, please leave this gorgeous girl some love with the comment section below!