Making memories
North Sydney photographer created prom-like package for grad with dying parent
LITTLE BRAS D’OR — John Ratchford jumps between his camera and the graduates as he sets up another shot for their “prom experience” session.
The North Sydney-based photographer who owns Ratchford Studio is focused on light, angle and framing as the five Riverview High School grads and one date who finished school last year laughed and talked.
For the grads, it was the first time most of them had seen each other face to face since the COVID-19 pandemic led to the closure of schools in March.
The Ratchford Prom Experience was a chance for them to get ready for prom and head out for photos with their families and friends like they would have if proms weren’t cancelled due to current health protection orders.
For Ratchford, the package was a chance for him to help a grad and her family who couldn’t wait until the fall for graduation events.
“I heard of a young girl whose father is dying of cancer. That was when they were talking about having prom in the fall,” he explained.
“The problem was they didn’t know if dad would be around in the fall… I called the family involved to try to make something work for them (to celebrate now).”
When Ratchford decided to do this, the Nova Scotia government hadn’t announced schools or community groups could host events under certain guidelines. Thus no drive-in grand marches were planned.
Since he was buying the decorations for the first family, Ratchford thought he’d open it up to some other Cape Breton graduates.
“I thought maybe this could help some other kids too. It just blew up. It took off and I didn’t even market it. Just announced it on Facebook,” explained Ratchford, who believes there are 30 sessions booked after the first family.
“I did a Facebook video about this…and it’s had 10,000 views. I was thinking this morning I couldn’t take on any more (bookings).”
On June 25, Adam Steylen and some of his friends booked the 2 p.m. session, which lasted about two hours at Arm of Gold Campground in Little Bras d’Or.
“This was probably better than having a prom,” he said. “You don’t have to walk around for hours.”
His date, Tori Ranni, 18, liked the photo session but for her, it wasn’t a prom replacement.
“This (prom experience) was nicer than I expected…I liked having my friends here and the way it’s decorated,” she said. “I still would have liked to have had prom, to see everybody else in our class, too.”
During the session, the grads took photos alone, with their dates and in a group at different locations around the campground, including a grassy field and a barn. The barn was decorated inside like the venue for a prom would be with white linens on tables, draped with black runners, fairy lights and balloons.
The grads also took photos with their families and did a parent dance during the session.
“It’s been tough for the kids (graduating this year),” said Eron Doucette whose son Mitchell was one of the grads at the session. “This makes them feel like they’re going to prom a little bit… They have the boutonnieres, the corsages, the photos.”
Phyllis Miller, Ranni’s mother, added, “And they’re here with their friends. That’s really important.”
Ratchford said the prom experience package, which cost $96 per session excluding prints, was created for the families as much as the graduates.
“It was excellent (doing this). It gave me renewed purpose in what I do,” he said.
“There were grandparents in tears. One grad told me: ‘It was Nanny’s dream to see me dance at the prom.’ There are so many messages thanking me. It is really nice.”