A Senior Portrait for Those in Need

For many students, a senior portrait is a right of passage, but not everyone can afford the privilege.

Enter the Senior Photoshoot Scholarship.

The brainchild of Jenn Bouchey and photographer Maricris Treuenfels of MC Photography LLC in New Brighton, Minnesota, the scholarship aims to deliver a high-end portrait experience to deserving seniors in need in New Brighton and surrounding communities.

As LillieNews’ Mike Munzenrider recounts, both Treuenfels and Bouchey experienced the deprivation of poverty during their childhood. The two met at their daughters’ ballet class and later church, where they bonded over the idea of helping those in need. The idea of the Senior Photoshoot Scholarship thus took shape, with Treuenfels providing the photography and Bouchey sponsoring the effort.

Qualifying seniors will receive a package totaling $1,150, including hair and makeup, six 5 x 7-inch fine art prints in 8 x 10 mattes, six high-res digital images for use in a yearbook and six lower-res images for posting on social media.

To qualify, seniors need to meet certain academic and school attendance criteria as well as offer proof of financial hardship. They’ll also need to submit an essay explaining how they’re a positive role model.

Treuenfels, who was the beneficiary of many scholarships herself, sees the Senior Photoshoot Scholarship as a means of “paying it forward with photography as a medium.” It strikes us as a terrific idea.

Jenn Bouchey (left) & Maricris Treuenfels.