A year of mental frustration, captivity and a longing for a way back into the world that they once knew. This short series depicts the reality of a graduating high school or college student when the COVID-19 Pandemic drastically altered what was supposed to be a final year of happiness, excitement, and readiness. These students were not allowed to have or attend graduation ceremonies and they had to complete their final months of schooling entirely online. This experience completely deviated from the norm and took away the in-person academic experience and final commencement ceremony, which most students have become accustomed to and have been anticipating their entire academic career. At the start of the pandemic many students stayed indoors and were not allowed to interact with friends and family members outside of their home. For the rest of the world, our lives were impacted as well, but students had an especially unique and challenging experience.  

Potter created this series with the goal to give back something that the students had lost: a sense of accomplishment. In addition to the shots made for the series, Potter did pro bono graduation portraits for each student, hoping that this would provide a sense of normalcy, even though the world around them had drastically changed and that a significant rite of passage had been taken away. She wanted these students to remain hopeful, proud, and confident that they made it to graduation - even during a pandemic. Unfortunately, this series was cut short due to a severe arm injury that Potter endured, rendering her completely unable to do photography for over a year. 

2020