Photographing the final commencement at Bard College at Simon’s Rock was an honor I won’t forget.

I’ve spent time on this campus before, documenting both the Academy and college life, and I’ve always felt how special it is here. Simon’s Rock is a beautiful meld of cultures, backgrounds, and ideas. A place where students come early, think differently, and find connection in their individuality.

On commencement day, that spirit was everywhere. The joy, the tears, the gratitude. It wasn’t just a celebration but also a heartfelt goodbye to a campus that gave so much to so many. As a photographer, it’s a privilege to document an event that carries so much emotional weight. I understood the responsibility of this final ceremony: to create images that would help this community hold on to the spirit of Simon’s Rock, even as the school transitions to its new chapter in Barrytown.

I’m so grateful to have been part of this moment in Simon’s Rock’s history. Thank you to the Class of 2025 and the entire Simon’s Rock community for trusting me to help preserve the memory of your final chapter here.