In the bustling halls of the school, it’s all too easy to lose track of time. Yet, amidst the flurry of activity and the passing of days, Nicholas Kehayias has found a way to capture the fleeting moments that define what it’s like to be a student. With each click of his camera shutter, Kehayias seeks to “slow down time” and really capture the high school experience.

Kehayias’s inspiration for this project stemmed from a simple yet strong idea: to catch the essence of senior year for his fellow students, to preserve the memories and moments that make this time special. With dedication, determination and a plan, he started his journey to document the life of seniors one click at a time.

Unlike his previous work, which often embraced digital techniques, Kehayias’s approach to this project was completely analog. “All these pieces are very different from stuff that I personally make,” he explains. “It’s all done through film. I had to learn how to develop it all, print it all. None of it’s done digitally.” Embracing this new style presented its challenges, but Kehayias was undeterred, driven by his desire to create something truly unique and meaningful.

With a huge goal in mind, the creation of the art exhibit was no small feat. “For the past three weeks, I’ve stayed after school sometimes till like nine o’clock at night,” he recounts. From late-night sessions in the darkroom (a room dedicated to developing film), to the meticulous pinning of prints, every inch of the collage was passionate.

When asked about his inspiration, Kehayias had described an earnest joy that he experienced from being able to look back at some of his favorite memories and wanted to be able to share this with his senior class. The happiness that Kehayias saw others experience in reaction to his photographs is a statement to how his work captures not only moments, but emotions.

In Kehayias’s hands, photography becomes more than just a hobby or a skill; it’s not only a tool for storytelling, but a way to preserve memories. “It just really shows how fun life is here” He recounts. And while his work has been mainly to preserve memories in the present, it’s no doubt that Kehayias and his photography will continue to capture a bright future.