'Say cheese:' Rockland photographer gives back with free portraits of high school and college seniors

Jude Kennedy is putting his 30 years of experience to work by offering free portraits to help give seniors memories they can cherish.

News 12 Staff

May 27, 2020, 9:56 PM

Updated 1,655 days ago

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A Rockland man is using his passion and experience to put smiles on the faces of high school and college seniors during the pandemic.
Jude Kennedy is putting his 30 years of experience to work by offering free portraits to help give seniors memories they can cherish.
"I just feel so bad for these kids," says Kennedy. "I know if I would have missed my own graduation that would have stunk."
So far, Kennedy has already captured a few dozen seniors with many more waiting and asking for a chance to get a photo.
Kayla Healey is Kennedy's niece. She's a senior at Tappan Zee High School and like many others wasn't able to have a normal year, so she jumped at the chance for a photo.
"It's hard to go through something like this when the world is going through something crazy," says Healey. "And the seniors don't really have a senior year so it's like nice to have photos and stuff that you can put on Instagram and social media and just something to celebrate."
Kennedy has also helped during the pandemic by taking family porch portraits, which raised more than $1,200 to help feed front-line heroes.
Kennedy hopes to keep making a difference by capturing one smile at a time.
Anyone interested in having photos taken can email Kennedy.
 
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