FORT MYERS, Fla. — As the academic school year comes to an end, the class of 2020 has gone from planning to walk across the stage, to planning for a virtual graduation. However, two local photographers decided they wanted to give seniors a reason to smile.
“ I just felt sorry for these kids, what they went through this year they missed prom, they’ve missed all kinds of stuff. As a photographer I thought why not give back” said Robby Dyer, owner of In This Moment Photography Art.
Dyer teamed up with Mark Dodson owner of Lions Lens, who says he could not imagine being in this position.
“You gotta understand and put yourself in these kids shoes. They’re not really getting to get the send-off they deserve, a lot of these kids worked really hard to get accepted to colleges so they are missing out on a lot of things”, said Dodson.
One North Fort Myers High School senior agrees saying, graduating during this time is unimaginable.
“ I mean it kind of just feels like a part of your life is missing. Like you don’t get to experience the things that you waited your whole life and worked for”, said Kaylee Kwek.
Adding the hardest part was realizing how her senior year would end.
“ I think the hardest part is not having seen this coming, we literally just left school for spring break and never came back,” said Kwek.
Events like today's photo shoot let these students know someone is thinking of them as they prepare for college.
“It just shows how selfless people can be in a time like this, to reach out to people who are suffering and do this without expecting anything back. It just shows that there is still good in the world even in a bad time” said Kwek.
Other seniors who participated today said, this opportunity makes life a little bit better. Dyer and Dodson say they will be continuing free portraits on Saturdays at Centennial Park.
