UPDATE: In April, Catherine Kiernan of Kiernan Photography was nominated as a Yankee Institute Beam of Light for donating her photography to help Guilford Seniors enjoy the magic of prom season, despite their events being canceled due to the pandemic. When we first published her story, which you can read below, she had photographed 10 students. Since we last touched base with her in April, Catherine has photographed over 75 local students. To support Catherin Keirnan’s photography business please visit, kiernanphotography.com.
Yankee Institute is proud to present “Beam of Light” — A dedicated place to lift spirits by illuminating the many acts of quiet heroism, generosity, individual initiative and kindness that are happening every day across Connecticut during the coronavirus crisis.
To share your “Beam of Light” story, please email Jordanne at [email protected].
Catherine Kiernan of Kiernan Photography needed a creative outlet during the Covid-19 crisis. When a friend posted another photographer offering free prom photos to seniors, she decided to do the same thing in her town of Guilford.
“Seniors had the carpet pulled out from under them because of the pandemic and they are losing out on one of the most special days of their senior year.”
Kiernan works full-time during the day for Yale University and is shooting the prom pictures in the evenings. She said she’s had such an overwhelming amount of inquiries that she’s had to limit her photography to Guilford students only. She has already photographed 10 students.
“I wanted to give them a nice memory of their dress and their senior year”.
In return, Kiernan says that the opportunity to photograph the girls has given her so much joy and optimism during this difficult time.
Kiernan is also one of the four founding members of The Gift Card Project, a website created to help small businesses along the Connecticut shoreline. To support Catherin Keirnan’s photography business please visit, kiernanphotography.com.
