Prom Photos

Before going to prom, there are a lot of components to consider: the dress, the suit, the restaurant, the flowers, the after-party; but one thing that everyone participates in before attending prom is the photo shoot. As evidenced by the yearly social media blitz, prom couples and groups take prom photos pretty seriously. From a quick photo outside before hopping into the limo, to an extensive shoot with multiple backgrounds and props, prom photos are considered a must. To relieve the stress of this added component, below is some advice, offered by professional photographer Melinda Lamm. She advises amateur prom photographers and subjects on ideal photos, describing the setting, timing, and poses necessary for a satisfactory photo shoot.

SETTING Melinda says a prom photo setting always, “Depends on the couple. A couple that favors the country probably would not be as comfortable shooting downtown.” Any number of venues will do, from gardens to beach shores—it all depends on the subjects’ taste. Melinda also notes that a lot depends on the dress. You need to keep in mind that the setting should not clash with the style of the dress. For instance, if the dress is colorful, it may look odd to shoot pictures in front of wall art with conflicting colors and designs. So before you pick the location, pick the dress. Melinda forewarns photographers to choose a modest backdrop, “The background should never be the main focus of the photo; the subjects should be.”

TIMING If you are doing outdoor photography, as most do, Melinda suggests avoiding midday. “Early light and evening light are ideal for outdoor pictures.” Most prom-goers take photos directly after getting ready and before the pre-prom dinner. This schedule is a no-brainer; however, if circumstances dictate a midday shoot, try to find a venue with even lighting. “Being in complete shade with a flash on the camera would be better than shooting in the sun at noon.” Elegant indoor shots with an antique couch or chair may be better options than trying to get good lighting in the glare of a noonday sun.

POSES Choosing poses can be awkward or cliché; however, Melinda gives some advice that may make things run more smoothly. “Shoot the couple or group with the things they love. This can be horses, cars, etc.” Doing this will make the subjects more at ease with themselves. “Do the standard poses for the grandparents, then you can move on to more interesting shots. I try to do a few classic poses, then do more candid photos.” She continues, “Once the couple (or group) feels relaxed, you get more honest smiles, not forced.” She proposes going onto Pinterest and drawing on ideas there before the photo shoot begins; this will take some stress from not only the couple, but also the photographer.

With all of this advice in mind, try and have a good time with the photos; stressing out about the perfect shot will sour the evening. The photos are the start of what should be an enjoyable night, celebrating high school and the friends and memories you have made there.

The weather outside may be frightfully cold. Inside you may be bundled up in sweaters, blankets and fuzzy socks while the fire roars…but, with just the click of a button you can transport yourself to a warmer climate, where beauty and sunshine reign supreme! Pick one of these films and find yourself in summertime, where the living is easy, the temperature is perfect, and there is time to sit outside and watch the lightning bugs glow.

Now and Then (1995) This coming-of-age movie involves four girlfriends who have an unforgettable summer in 1970. They save their money to buy a treehouse from Sears, spend the summer conducting séances, trading pranks with the local group of terrorizing boys, and riding their bikes all over town. The girls reunite as adults to support one of them through her first pregnancy and find themselves reminiscing about their past and how their lives were shaped by it. Starring Demi Moore, Melanie Griffith, Rosie O’Donnell and Rita Wilson.

The Notebook (2004) Noah Calhoun (Ryan Gosling), a mill worker and Allie Hamilton (Rachel McAdams), a girl from a wealthy family, meet and fall in love in 1940s South Carolina. Allie’s family does not approve of the relationship and sends Allie away to college in New York. After their split, Noah goes off to serve in World War II, and Allie meets and gets engaged to Lon Hammond (James Marsden). When Noah returns from war and reconnects with Allie just before her wedding, it becomes very clear that their love for each other is anything but over.

Mama Mia (2008) Set on a beautiful Greek Island, Donna (Meryl Streep), an independent hotelier, is preparing for her daughter Sophie’s (Amanda Seyfried) wedding with the help of two old friends. Through reading her mother’s diary, Sophie discovers one of the three men that are written about could potentially be her father, and she invites all three of them to the wedding without a word to her mother. Her hope is to have her real father escort her down the aisle on her wedding day.

The Long Hot Summer (1958) Handsome drifter and conman Ben Quick (Paul Newman) arrives in a small Mississippi town (one his late father called home) and quickly insinuates himself into the town’s richest family, the Varners. The proud young man’s determination eventually wins over civic leader Will Varner (Orson Welles), who concludes Ben might be the right man for his daughter, Clara (Joanne Woodward). This decision does not sit well with others in the family.

Wet Hot American Summer (2001) If you’re looking for some big laughs with a side of inappropriate humor. This “camp” comedy will meet your criteria. Set on the last day of camp, in the hot summer of 1981, the movie follows a group of counselors who are trying to tie up loose ends before the day is over and everyone goes home. Amy Poehler, Paul Rudd, Janeane Garofalo, Bradly Cooper, Elizabeth Banks…and too many other funny people to mention star in this film that will have you laughing your head off at stupid, juvenile jokes that are so funny you’ll forget all about the freezing temps outside.

Rear Window (1954) An American mystery thriller directed by Alfred Hitchcock. The film stars James Stewart, Grace Kelly, Wendell Corey, Thelma Ritter and Raymond Burr. It is considered by many filmgoers, critics, and scholars, to be one of Hitchcock’s best and one of the greatest movies ever made. The story involves a news photographer who is confined to a wheelchair after an accident. He spends his time watching the occupants of neighboring apartments through a telephoto lens and binoculars. After witnessing a series of events he does not understand and is not mobile enough to investigate, he becomes convinced that a murder has taken place.

How Stella Got Her Groove Back (1998) Stella (Angela Bassett) and her best friend Delilah (Whoopi Goldberg) head to Jamaica for a vacation, where Stella, a 40-year-old, hard-working stockbroker, meets Winston (Taye Diggs), a handsome 20-something who seems great for a fling, but nothing beyond that. As the vacation comes to a close, Stella and Winston begin to realize the depth of their feelings for one another and have to make some decisions about whether or not the relationship has a chance to move forward.

Beaches (1988) Hillary (Barbara Hershey) and CC (Bette Midler) meet as children vacationing in Atlantic City, N.J., and remain friends throughout the decades. As CC, a loud, outspoken New Yorker, pursues a singing and acting career, Hillary, a stoic, reserved Californian, becomes a successful lawyer. They come into and out of each other’s lives, often quarreling and distancing themselves, but always coming back together when one really needs the other.

for the Community

BY SHANNON HECK, DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT AND MARKETING

Imprints Cares has served children and families in Forsyth County for more than 52 years. In fact, we are the only educational non-profit in our community that serves children from prenatal through middle school. The stories below provide just a glimpse into the daily activities at Imprints Cares.

• Sarai and her two-year-old daughter Maia, who are enrolled in our

“Parents as Teachers” program, eagerly opened a monthly activity

“kit” filled with books, manipulatives, diapers, and food.

• Mateo, a student who attended our tuition-free, summer enrichment camp at Ashley Academy, splashed in the water at Hanging Rock during his first- ever visit to the park.

• Jarod and Tyesha, students in our after-school program at Old Town

Elementary, built bridges out of spaghetti and marshmallows that were strong enough to withstand gale force winds.

• Devon, a three-year-old preschooler, was assessed for developmental delays and referred for additional services with early intervention.

Our team builds trusting relationships with the families that we serve and relies upon evidence-based resources to equip parents to be their child’s first, best teacher. When children enter school, we provide before- and after-school programs at 27 local sites in the WS/ FCS District, including seven (7) tuition-free programs for children at greatest risk for learning loss exacerbated by the pandemic. Imprints Cares also serves children with special needs at an inclusion program located at our downtown location and at the only full-day summer camp for children with special needs in Forsyth County. Betty West, director of Expanded Learning, notes, “I believe that every child should have access to the same structured, nurturing after-school and summer- enrichment opportunities, regardless of their ability to pay.” Last year, Imprints Cares provided $647,000 in scholarships for children to attend our programs.

While 2021 brought new challenges to our families, Imprints Cares pivoted to respond to the continuing health crisis in a variety of ways. Quality early learning programs like those offered by Imprints Cares are the best way to close achievement gaps before they begin. Our flagship program, Parents as Teachers, is an international, evidencebased model which connects families with an educator who provides two in-home visits per month. Family educators provide parenting tips, perform developmental assessments, and bring age-appropriate books and activities to each visit. Angela Hunt, director of Parents as Teachers, says, “Throughout the pandemic our family educators remained connected to 95% of our families through a combination of virtual meetings, telephone calls, and outdoor visits at local parks and community centers.” She continues, “We walk alongside the families that we serve and provide referrals to community agencies when needs arise.” Last year, Imprints Cares delivered more than 5,000 books and completed nearly 3,000 home visits. Children who graduate from our Parents as Teachers program score higher on kindergarten readiness assessments and are read to more frequently than their peers who do not receive our services. Unfortunately, the need for our services is far greater than our capacity; we currently have 91 families on our waiting list.

Imprints Cares also offers the Pediatric Parenting Connections (PPC), placing family educators in pediatricians’ offices to provide in-office support for young children and their parents. Maria Stockton, director of Pediatric Parenting Connections, noted, “Our family educators address common parenting issues including breastfeeding concerns, sleep

problems, and developmental delays.

We are also excited to pilot a Young Mom’s program with the Birth Center at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist.”

The 1,500 children enrolled in our Expanded Learning programs, located onsite at local schools, enjoy recreational activities, STEM and STEAM enrichment activities, homework help daily, and literacy-based social and emotional learning opportunities. More than 70% of our afterschool team are teachers and school personnel. Devon Mackay, an Expanded Learning parent, said,

“Since March 2020, Imprints Cares has been an indispensable partner to our family. I don’t know what we would have done without them. Our daughter loves Imprints Cares. We have used them for e-learning, summer camp, after-school, and-out-of-school days.”

Investments in early learning and high-quality afterschool programming will have lasting impact well beyond childhood and are critical to improving third-grade reading proficiency, reducing chronic absenteeism, and helping children develop critical social and emotional skills.

For more information or if you are interested in joining our team, please visit our website at https://imprintscares.org

BEFORE & AFTER SCHOOL CARE

On-Site at School School Teachers & Staff Homework Assistance Social Development with Peers Enrichment Activities Fun Fridays Field Trips

Imprints Cares

ImprintsCares.org/Expanded-Learning 336-722-6296

Before School

After School

Before + After School

$100/month $250/month

$280/month

Drop-In Service

(up to 10 days/month) Before School

After School

$10/day $15/day