More Than Just Portraits. A Confidence-Building Experience Designed to Help Teens Grow, Connect, and Prepare for Life Beyond High School.

The Day Maker Collective was created to offer teens something more than just pretty pictures. This unique experience combines personalized portraits, practical life skills, meaningful community impact, and authentic connections with other motivated teens. It’s designed to help students not only celebrate who they are today, but step confidently into who they are becoming.

This year, I am inviting a small group of juniors and seniors to become the founding members of The Day Maker Collective and help shape the future of the program.

What Is a Day Maker?

A Day Maker is someone who leaves people, places, and situations better than they found them. They show up with confidence. They encourage others. They understand that small actions can make a big difference. They choose kindness, leadership, and purpose in the way they live their lives. The Day Maker Collective is designed to help teens develop those qualities while creating meaningful memories during one of the most important times of their lives.

What you’ll experience:

• Confidence: These portraits will be about more than looking great in front of the camera. Through multiple portrait experiences, students are encouraged to step outside their comfort zones, celebrate who they are, and build confidence that extends far beyond their photos. Members of The Day Maker Collective will enjoy:
  • Multiple portrait opportunities, both in group and individual settings
  • Creative and personalized photo experiences
  • Professional posing and style guidance every step of the way
  • Images that document not just how they looked during their junior and senior year, but who they were becoming.

• Readiness Life after high school brings exciting opportunities, but it also brings a lot of responsibilities. The Day Maker Collective includes interactive workshops led by trusted professionals and industry experts who will help students develop practical skills they can use long after high school because confidence grows when you feel prepared for what comes next. Topics may include:
  • Financial literacy
  • Basic car care and maintenance
  • Professional communication skills
  • Mind-body wellness and self-care
  • College, career, and life readiness

• The Impact: One of the most powerful ways to build confidence is discovering that your words and actions matter. Throughout the program, members will participate in meaningful Day Maker projects and service experiences designed to positively impact others in our community. These experiences help students recognize their ability to make a difference, while creating memories that will stay with them for years to come.

• The Crew: High School can feel overwhelming. The Day Maker Collective brings together students who want more from this season of life than simply checking off another milestone. Members become part of a supportive community that values encouragement, personal growth, kindness, and genuine connection.
  • This isn’t about competition. It’s about belonging.
  • It’s about building friendships, celebrating each other’s successes, and creating experiences that make junior and senior year unforgettable.

• The Commitment: The Founding Group will participate in FIVE intentional experiences between July and November 2026. Each experience will last approximately two to three hours and may include portraits, workshops, community impact projects, or group activities. The program is intentionally designed to fit into busy schedules while still providing meaningful opportunities for growth, connection, and fun.

To make sure this program is the best it can be we are looking for Juniors and Seniors who are ready to grow, lead and has a Day Maker heart to participate in the founding group. 

Why Join the Founding Group?

Help Shape the Future. As a founding member, your voice matters. Students will have the opportunity to provide feedback, suggest ideas, and help shape future workshops, activities, and Day Maker projects.

• Exclusive Portrait Opportunities
  • Founding members will receive access to bonus portrait experiences and creative sessions available only to this inaugural group.
  • Special pricing will be available on heirloom quality artwork and products that celebrate and preserve this experience.
• Leave a Legacy
  • The students who join this first group will help establish the culture, traditions, and mission of The Day Maker Collective for years to come. 

As both an educator and photographer, I’ve spent more than twenty years working alongside students during some of the most transformational seasons of their lives. Over the years, I’ve learned something important. Teens don’t just need another activity on their calendar. They need opportunities to discover who they are. They need experiences that build confidence. They need positive friendships. They need encouragement, support, and reminders that they are capable of more than they realize. That’s why The Day Maker Collective exists. Yes, they’ll leave with beautiful portraits that capture this once in a lifetime season. But more importantly, they’ll leave with something even greater:

Confidence in who they are, Skills they can use in real life. Meaningful friendships. A deeper understanding of the impact they can make on others and memories that extend far beyond a photo session.

Because it isn’t just about documenting who you’ve been It’s about preparing for who you’re becoming.

Founding Member Applications Now Open

The Day Maker Collective Founding Group is intentionally limited to a small number of juniors and seniors. We’re looking for students who are ready to grow, lead, encourage others, and make a positive impact in the world around them. If that sounds like you, we’d love to hear your story. Apply below to be considered for the inaugural class of The Day Maker Collective.

APPLICATIONS CLOSE JUNE 30TH