In 2004, I spent several weeks with Jennifer Owen, a Westview High School student as she prepared to go to prom. Before picking Jennifer for the series, I had called around to all the local high schools and spoke to their student council organizers to get a short list of students who might be interested having a reporter/photographer shadow them as they made prom preparations. After making initial contact with several students, I met with their parents to make sure they understood and approved in the feature; I didn't want to start a series on someone to only have them abruptly opt out halfway through the series, which has happened before.
Jennifer stood out for a number of reasons: it was her first prom, she was involved in the planning of the event and her parents were on board with idea. Most of all, though, Jennifer seemed truly excited about prom, the kind of excitement adults associate with teen girls and prom. Not all the students I interviewed had that excitement. Some were just kinda blah-blah-prom. Not Jennifer. The piece began with Jennifer making simple preparations (colors and theme) and gradually got more intense (her dress, hairstyle). Running parallel to her own plans were the plans for the prom itself, which she was partially in charge of organizing. She made a budget, planned some fundraisers (one of them, a carwash, is pictured) and taste tested the catered food. All at the same time, she has her regular schoolwork. It must have been a whirlwind for her.
In celebration of the upcoming proms throughout the Valley, here are some of the photos from 2004 series.
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