BENTON, IL (WSIL) - Residents at an assisted living facility in Benton got a special treat when two Benton Ranger graduates, each with their own specialty, partnered together for a project lovingly coined "Senior Portraits".
Coordinated with the stylist's regular visit, so everyone looked and felt their best, residents who wanted to, took their turn in front of the camera.
A special project in Benton brings a professional photographer to residents at a local assisted living facility.
"I like this one," said Marybeth Livesay to her husband Phillip. "The one where we're kissing?" he asked her. "Uh huh," Marybeth quickly replied, "but I'm getting them all," she said with a laugh.
After 51 years, Phillip and MaryBeth Livesay giggle at their differences. The lovable pair are residents at Heritage Woods in Benton. They each have their favorite photo from their recent professional session.
As far as professional pictures go, it's been a while since the couple has had one. "I don't think we've ever have, have we," Phillip asked. "On our 25th Anniversary, that was the last professional picture, I think," Marybeth explains.
Across the assisted living center, in an apartment made to feel incredibly homey, 92-year-old Irene Head says she's never really felt photogenic, so she chose not to be pictured last year. Thanks to her daughter's prodding, this year, Irene changed her mind.
"I thought, 'Well, why not?! I mean, you know, clean yourself up, get dressed and go out and have your picture made' - and I did," Irene explains. "They made me feel like I might be pretty," she laughed. "Is that silly?"
It's the second year for the partnership. now lovingly coined "Senior Portraits". A collaboration between two Benton Ranger graduates, one with a heart for helping and another with an eye for capturing the beauty of a moment.
Professional Photographer, Stephanie Smith, zoomed with me from her apartment from New York. She said, the collaboration with her old classmate was a no brainer.
"First of all, Greg is an old friend, and his organization is amazing," Smith explained. "And based on that, I didn't need much info to agree to anything he asks."
That classmate, Greg Poole, is the founder of not-for-profit Can's Can. He's got his fingers in everything from teaching supplies to items for new foster parents and lots of other things. The not-for-profit is fueled by donations, a unique idea to raise funds through sports memorabilia and a family's worth of volunteerism and love. Greg saw a need --
"When they go in, they kinda go in one way and that's how they kinda stick in everyone's mind," Greg said, "time kinda stands still."
The partnership between Greg, Stephanie and the assisted living centers started last year and expended to a second home this year.
"It's the most fun thing to sit in on those sessions," Greg said of the photo sessions. "Everyone is dressed to the nines, hair is done, Aquanet is in the hair, everyone is just so happy to have a reason to be dressed up."
With an end result that made for beautifully genuine photos and a lasting effect on residents.
"When I looked at that (photo) I thought, 'See, I don't even think that looks like me...' - but maybe it does. Because that looks like a fairly young and happy woman," said Irene with a smile.
And preserving this snippet in time for generations to come.
"Very important," explained Elsie Curry of her photo, "because my children live away from me. Not being together that much - they will like having a picture."
"A great just to have that thing they can give their kids, their family," Greg added. "And then, God forbid in the event that they do pass - it gives them that extra little thing they can have for their obituary. And that might sound morbid, but that's just part of dignity. You should have a professional photo in your obit, it shouldn't be something clipped off your driver's license."
"Well, we're here today and gone tomorrow here," MaryBeth said of the residential facility and the seniors around her. "This is kind of our final resting place. I hate to say that, but you could see someone at breakfast and not that afternoon." And with a smile, she continued, "I'm really glad we have a self-portrait that we can use for something like that. Hopefully, this is the best we look in the next few years."
