Photographer throws an epic photo shoot for an 8-year-old girl who was denied school photos
Nov 21, 2019
Dunja Đuđić
Dunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, concerts, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.
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An 8-year old girl Marian Scott was recently denied school photos because of red extensions in her hair. It made her feel singled out and left her in tears, crushing her self-esteem in an instant. When he heard this story, photographer Jermaine Horton felt like he needed to do something. So, he threw an epic professional photoshoot for Marian in an attempt to get her confidence back.
According to WILX, Marian’s school Paragon Charter Academy denied her school photos because of the red hair. The principal said that it violated school policy, citing the school handbook which reads that students’ hair color must be natural tones.
Still, Marian was told on the picture day that she couldn’t have her photo taken, yet she was able to return to class. This got her confused, and she said that she was crying and felt singled out. This made her parents frustrated, as they weren’t informed in advance about the school policy. The school claims that they sent out a recorded message before the shoot, going over the dress code policy. However, Marian’s father says that he never received the message, otherwise he would have told Marian’s mother not to put the extensions in her hair.
This story reached the headlines, and it got to Jermaine. “When I heard about this story I was furious as a parent because the first thing I thought about was the impact of what this would do to such a beautiful little girl,” he wrote on Facebook. He reached out to Nicole Joy of WILX News 10 who covered the story and she got him in contact with Marian’s parents.
Jermaine and Marian’s parents set a date and he drove from Chicago to Jackson so he could give her a photoshoot she deserves. He says that vendors donated clothes, studio space, and everything they needed, so the shoot was truly special. And Mariane absolutely shined!
“I’m so blessed to have been a part of this to give her an amazing day that showed her that she truly is beautiful and her hair color was the BOMB! Of course we kept it for the shoot!”
Marian’s story and the photoshoot he threw for her inspired Jermaine to start a project called The Art of Confidence. It’s aimed to empower children and help them regain their confidence. Little Marian was just the first, but there are more to come. So, give The Art of Confidence a follow on Instagram if you’d like to see more. Also, make sure to visit Jermaine’s website for more of his work, and give him a follow on Facebook and Instagram.
Dunja Đuđić
Dunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, concerts, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.
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28 responses to “Photographer throws an epic photo shoot for an 8-year-old girl who was denied school photos”
Denied school photos because she didn’t follow the rules…. This was left out of the subject.
Barrett Alan Bailey no it wasn’t it’s in the first two paragraphs of the article.
Alexander, “left out of the subject”
Who cares the school certainly doesn’t. I am sure they did not deny taking the family’s tuition nor did they refuse to let her return to class.
You mean “taxes”, not “tuition”. It’s a charter, so it’s a public school (US definition).
The family was in the school because they chose to be. They received the rules before getting into the school. If they didn’t like the rules, there are other public schools that they could have gone to instead.
Now, would I set up those rules were I writing the handbook for a charter? Maybe. Uniform codes reduce issues of competition between students on the basis of style (and concomitantly family wealth), so they’re not obviously silly. But in any case there was prior notice in at least two forms, so my sympathy for the family is non-existent.
Nice advertising for the photographer, though.
You’re correct in that charter schools have a little more leniency with the rules they can impose. However, I’m still failing to see the compelling state interest with a rule like this.
The background makes me feel like he used bad continuous lighting therefore flickering was captured. Its very distracting.
Te lees bien pro krnal
hahaha grasias
She attends a charter school that has a uniform/dress code, including a policy regarding hair color for class photos. This is all silly and was probably staged for publicity.
What’s the reason for the rule?
That’s what happens when you don’t follow rules you miss out , but I liked the photos but I think this story really is not what the headlines say
Stee Green She didnt miss out at all….She got extremely well shot photos done just for her!
Disappointed but not surprised by the cynical scoffing and sneers.
I think the rule is stupid
She bucked the system and outdated rules. Good for her.
Rules teach discipline.
You don’t know a whole lot about school law, do you.
Rigid adherence to the rules does not teach discipline, it teaches conformity and enables abuse. If rules are not challenged stupid and inappropriate rules will persist. Challenging rules is why marijuana laws are changing. It is why laws against homosexuality are no longer valid. It is even the foundation of this nation, our forefathers bucked the system and broke rules. I say good for her.
Brenda Lee Arbeau Hair should be left out of “rules” – it’s not necessary.
Sweet !!
Time to get rid of some archaic rules regarding hair color. I don’t care if it’s a charter school or not.
I’m trying to figure out the horrifying consequences of non-standard hair colours. No luck so far. The end of civilization as we know it?
Such a cutie! Better then school pics anyway! ?
She is 8 folks, Think if another repercussion for hair color! Don’t deny a child a school photo
school policy, citing the school handbook which reads that students’ hair color must be natural tones…….If you are black you must have black hair…..If you are white then you can color your hair blonde, black, red, yellow, brown or have extensions in your hair any of these colors because they are natural ( not your normal color) tones.
“If you are black you must have black hair”
Where did you get that fallacy?
Having children, and grandchildren, of my own, I am grateful there are decent people who care about a little girl’s feelings! A big ‘THANKS’ to this photographer!