Predental student makes graduation photos free of charge
“I realized this was a way I could give back to the Carolina community,” said Ava Holland ’27, a Chancellor’s Award winner.
A common sight at the end of each semester is graduating seniors in Carolina Blue caps and gowns posing for photos across the UNC-Chapel Hill campus.
But hiring a photographer to capture the perfect shot can often be pricey and may be unaffordable for some students.
Recognizing the financial barriers many students face, rising senior Ava Holland saw a place where she could make a real difference and decided to offer free photo shoots to her fellow Tar Heels.
“I saw the impact of the Carolina Closet providing graduation attire for students, and it made me realize that while the clothing is a necessity, photo sessions are a luxury,” Holland said. “I wanted to give back to the Carolina community so that everyone has the chance to look back on this milestone and feel incredibly proud of their hard work.”
Holland, an exercise and sport science major in the UNC College of Arts and Sciences, has her sights set on dental school. But she also loves photography and runs her own business, Art By Ava Holland.
“I just truly fell in love with photography for so many reasons,” said Holland, who minors in studio art.
Holland collaborated with Nikki Michaelson, Carolina’s student care coordinator, to connect with graduates facing financial barriers. Once she heard back from students, Holland was able to provide high-quality photos for those who may not have expected to have graduation photos taken at all.
“It wasn’t just the students’ reaction that were meaningful, it was the families’ as well,” Holland said. “One student’s mom showed up during the shoot, and she was just so excited that we were able to make this happen.”
The effort is just one example of Holland’s dedication to service at Carolina. During her three years at the University, she’s devoted much of her time to volunteer work and public service locally.
This past April, Holland received the James O. Cansler Service Award from Chancellor Lee H. Roberts. The award recognizes students whose faith has inspired outstanding service to the needs of humanity.
Over the years, Holland has worked as an Admissions Ambassador with the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, documented baptisms at The Summit Church and provided family photos for Spanish-speaking families in the area.
Even as she prepares for a dental career, Holland hopes to remain active with her photography.
She said creating memorable moments for seniors this spring was one of the most rewarding experiences she’s had in Chapel Hill so far.
“I just want everyone to feel celebrated for their hard work at Carolina,” Holland said. “I hope the photos I took serve as a good reminder they can look back on.”
