Taylor Class of 2020 | Anjeanette Photography Senior Anthem, Peoria, North Phoenix Arizona
It turns out that I actually saw Taylor about a year before we ever met! We were chatting about her love of theatre and performance and dreams of acting in college. Taylor is an accomplished actress who has performed in local youth theatre groups as well as at Sandra Day O’Connor where my own kids attend school. The theatre productions at that high school are not like the plays and musicals we put on when I was in hs- they are extremely professional and have amazing production values. That got us talking about favorite musicals, and I mentioned a few recent ones I had been to in NY and locally, including Sister Act at The Arizona Broadway Theatre that friends from church treated us to- it turns out I had already watched Taylor perform as a part of that ensemble cast!!
Taylors brought a vintage vibe to her session, with her favorite records from Billie Joel to Carole King to Fleetwood Mac with her retro sunglasses- she was so effortlessly cool. For the perfect backdrop, she had her sights set on Mill ave with its local indie bookstores and classic flashback style movie theatre - plus Sparky's ice cream parlour.
We soaked up att the sights from tiny garden nooks to parking garages with stunning views of ASU and Gammage before heading over to the Tempe Arts Center for a peachy rose sunset by the water. One fun item Taylor and her mom planned were bubbles- she loves them, and what a way to blow your cares away after a disappointment than colorful bubbles. Bubbles don't fix problems obviously, but they sure speak to the resilience of Taylor's spirit in far less than ideal circumstances. She hasn't totally made her mind up about which college she will be pursuing next year- and with so many universities postponing events it has been hard to get all of the information and auditions in to make a choice. This class of graduating seniors has had so many setbacks and pivots disrupting their lives- yet they are all seemingly taking it in stride. They have adapted to the new normals with amazing recovery rates from grief and are comfortable with their emotions and taking on hard challenges head-on with a sense of humor- anticipate remarkable things from them in the years to come. No pressure ;)
Taylor you are a star, cannot wait to see what you tackle next year and beyond!
“Seventy-five years ago, a generation found the clarity and resolve needed to save the world. Another generation of young people is now on track to do the same.
We’re now witnessing the emergence of a new generation of equal moral importance: a Greatest Generation 2.0. This generation is seeing with clear eyes that they are living through yet another existential crisis that threatens all life on Earth: a global climate emergency, (not to mention the Coivd 19 Pandemic and possible second great depression)
Crisis that too many of their elders have chosen to ignore or deny. But as the seas rise, so will this cohort of young people. The best thing the rest of us can do is to help them win.””
Back when we had this session I had no idea it would be my last for....months? It was the middle of what should have been a busy senior season with exciting grads to be getting photos to celebrate their 12 years of primary and high school. Photos for invitations and announcements. Photos to decorate grad party tables. So much has changed...so many of my seniors are waiting and on hold until everything is safe. Pictures will be here when it is over. Parties with dancing in the very streets. Even if proms and ceremonies are officially canceled don’t lose hope that things can be rescheduled- or that you will find new and more amazing ways to celebrate! I will see you all when it’s over. stay safe and prepare for the next act!
