Western Lab Co. Senior Session Scholarship
Every senior deserves photographs that celebrate how far they've come — and where they're headed next.
Senior year is a huge milestone, but professional senior portraits aren't always financially realistic for every family.
The Western Lab Co. Senior Session Scholarship was created to make a professional senior photography experience more accessible to graduating students who may otherwise have to go without one.
Selected students receive a full senior portrait experience at a significantly reduced rate, with the goal of creating photographs they can celebrate now and use as they take their next steps after graduation.
What the Scholarship Includes
Selected recipients will receive:
A senior portrait session with The Western Lab Co.
A reduced session fee of $75
Travel fees waived within 100 miles of The Western Lab Co.'s standard service area and $0.25/mile after 100 miles (Starting Point Here)
A professionally edited senior portrait gallery
A dedicated professional headshot suitable for college, scholarship, internship, employment, or other professional applications
The same care, attention, and quality provided to every Western Lab Co. photography client
This is not a shortened or lower-quality version of a senior session. The scholarship only reduces the financial barrier to receiving one.
Who Can Apply?
The Senior Session Scholarship is open to current high school seniors who:
Are graduating during the applicable school year (Class of 2027)
Would benefit financially from a reduced senior photography rate
Are willing to complete the scholarship application
Have permission from a parent or legal guardian to participate if they are under 18
Students do not need to have perfect grades, a specific career path, college plans, athletic involvement, or a long list of extracurricular activities to apply.
There is no single definition of a student who is "deserving."
The Application
The application has three main parts:
1. About You
Basic information about you, your school, graduation year, interests, activities, work experience, and plans after high school.
2. Financial Need
You'll be asked to briefly explain why receiving a reduced-cost senior photography session would make a difference for you or your family.
You are never expected to share private financial documents or disclose personal circumstances that you are uncomfortable discussing.
3. Your Essay
Applicants will submit a 500–1,000 word essay responding to the scholarship prompt.
Your essay is not being graded like a school assignment. Grammar, spelling, and fancy writing are not what determine who is selected. I am much more interested in learning who you are, what has shaped you, and where you hope to go.
Essay Prompt
Tell me about where you are now and where you hope to go.
You may choose to discuss:
Experiences that have shaped the person you are today
Challenges you have faced or overcome
Something you are proud of
What you hope to do after graduation
A career, trade, college program, military path, business, family goal, or other future you are working toward
What you hope your life looks like several years from now
Why having senior portraits would be meaningful to you
You do not have to answer every question above. They are simply there to help you get started.
There is no "right" story. I want to hear yours.
How Recipients Are Selected
Applications will be reviewed privately by The Western Lab Co.
Financial need is an important part of the selection process, but recipients aren’t chosen solely because they have experienced the greatest hardship.
Applications will also be considered based on thoughtfulness, circumstances, goals, effort, and the potential impact the program could have for the student.
Information shared about a student's financial or personal circumstances will not be published as part of the scholarship program.
Receiving the scholarship does not require you to publicly share your financial situation or personal story.
If You're Selected
Selected applicants will be contacted directly to schedule their senior session.
The scholarship recipient will pay the reduced session fee before or according to the normal booking requirements for the session.
If the student is under 18, a parent or legal guardian will also need to complete the required photography agreement and permissions.
Why I Created This Program
Senior photographs are about more than having something to post online or put in a yearbook. They record a point in someone's life when a lot is changing.
High school seniors are preparing for college, careers, trades, agriculture, the military, entrepreneurship, families, and paths they may not have even figured out yet.
I want this program to give students something that celebrates who they are right now while also giving them at least one photograph they can confidently carry into whatever comes next.
Ready to Apply?
Complete the Senior Session Scholarship application below.
Applications accepted on a rolling basis until Oct. 31st, 2026