The Corporate Headshot Photoshoot Session of Marquetta Atkins | The Voice 2024 Person of the Year
- Francois Djedjes
- May 2
- 2 min read
Working as a photographer means I get to meet some truly inspiring people during my corporate headshot photoshoot sessions, and this past year, I had the honor of photographing Marquetta, Wichita’s 2024 Person of the Year. If you’ve read the feature in The Community Voice, you know what an incredible woman she is.
Marquetta Atkins-Woods is a powerhouse community educator, entrepreneur, and advocate for youth justice, born and raised in Wichita, Kansas. A Wichita State University graduate, Marquetta has spent nearly a decade building pathways for young people to lead, thrive, and transform their communities.
In 2015, she founded Destination Innovation to empower youth through entrepreneurship, civic engagement, and career exploration. Today, DI's programs — Camp Destination Innovation, Root the Power, Progeny, and Cure Violence — are reshaping Wichita's future.
Through Root the Power, Marquetta ignites civic action among young voters. With Progeny, she leads efforts to reimagine Kansas' juvenile justice system — a mission that earned national collaboration with the Gault Center and inspired Governor Laura Kelly to proclaim November as Youth Justice in Action Month. Cure Violence, DI’s newest initiative under Marquetta’s leadership, is already reducing gun violence in Wichita, preventing incidents before they happen through a powerful network of trained violence interrupters — many of whom once walked the same hard paths as the youth they now mentor.
Marquetta believes youth are not the problem but the cure. With the support of her dedicated team, she continues to build a safer, more equitable future where young people are not just heard — they lead.
When Marquetta reached out for her photoshoot, I was beyond excited—and a little nervous! Capturing someone of her stature meant making sure every frame reflected her energy and grace.
We shot the photos in the lobby of Hotel at Old Town. As soon as Marquetta arrived, her warmth filled the room. She was kind, relaxed, and effortlessly elegant. I wanted her portraits to reflect not only her achievements but also the approachable, authentic leader she is.
To do that, I focused on creating a comfortable space where her personality could shine. We went for a mix of posed and candid shots, and as the session progressed, it felt less like a photoshoot and more like two people just enjoying the moment.
This photoshoot reminded me of why I love what I do—turning dreams into reality (see what I did there?). It’s not just about taking a picture; it’s about telling someone’s story in a single frame.
If you’ve been thinking about capturing your own story—whether it’s a professional portrait, family photos, or something just for you—I’d love to help bring your vision to life. Visit dreamtorealityphotography.com to book your session today. Let’s create something amazing together!
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