We were quite honored to become the Official Photographers for the Distinguished Young Women of Wake County this year… and what a wonderful experience it has been! In addition to our session with 2016 Winner, Jen Agather, last fall (still one of our FAV sessions to date!), we have had a chance to get to meet the girls from the beginning this year & watch them through their time in the program…
HEADSHOTS
Let’s start with introducing each of the 10 lovely contestants via their Headshot Event Portraits!
What a FUN experience this was!! We invited the girls to bring their ‘Little Sisters’ & ‘Little Buddies’ with them, had snacks and opportunity for everyone to get to know each other a little more. These were our very first ever ‘in studio’ sessions & honestly had a few learnings to get through with regard to their lighting, placement, etc. but the girls were wonderfully patient & fun to work with!! The group image above was even composited from 3 separate dates. With a smooth flowing process worked out now, we are already excited for the next round!…
“LITTLE BUDDIES”
With my own daughter being asked to participate as a Little Buddy again, we got an extra glimpse into how sweet & amazing the girls are with the little ones that they inspire! Here are a few of my favorite behind the scenes captured at rehearsals…
COMPETITION NIGHT!
What an awesome event the committee for the Distinguished Young Women of Wake County put on! And the young women… WOW did they come to impress!!!
The evening started out with a Broadway inspired performance choreographed by the very talented MK Cranford! The girls dazzled in their gold & silver tops as they started out the evening with smiles! They were then joined by their little buddies for more dancing & introductions, followed by a final element of top hats with 2016 winner, Jen…
Fitness was displayed impressively by each young woman…
And then there was the talent! Oh the amazing talent!! I’m pretty certain this was my favorite part of the evening… from singing opera to pianists to I’m pretty sure every style of dance and even a jaw-dropping jump rope performance… these young women had the audience captivated!
The final competition element for these young women was the question portion. This is where they each showed how distinguished they truly are, with truly clever, wise & intelligent answers…
The young women competing were surrounded by support & encouragement from past & present Distinguished Young Women both locally & from around our state. Some, including current North Carolina Distinguished Young Woman, added to the evening’s entertainment…
And, of course, there was Jen! Distinguished Young Woman of Wake County 2016 & a young woman who I became particularly fond of through & beyond her prize session last year. She’s full of spunk & personality, kindness & inspiration and someone my own daughter has looked up to this year as well! (true story… she even handed down her robe of stars to Lizzy! SO SWEET!) Jen is now enjoying an amazing college experience at the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. But first, we all enjoyed several more stunning dance performances from her throughout the evening and finally, a farewell speech & slideshow before her successor would be named…
With so much distinguished poise & grace, the winners were announced as the girls genuinely cheered & supported each other…
CONGRATULATIONS to Darian Buck… Distinguished Young Woman of Wake County 2017!
You may catch more of the girls memories in their consolidated highlights video on our YouTube Channel at https://youtu.be/tZb4wLFcd_c. And stay tuned… up next on the blog will be Darian’s official Distinguished Young Woman of Wake County Session!
