Wish of a Lifetime: VR Experiences

Sometimes a job “on paper” sounds strange and you can’t quite imagine what kind of images you’ll capture. But I also have enough experience to know that more will be revealed on set when I’m finally face-to-face, or face-to-headset, in this case, with my delightful subjects. Wish of a Lifetime (from AARP) connects seniors to people, purpose, and passions to eliminate feelings of isolation and help them live vibrant, purposeful lives through their wishes. Last summer WOL was gifting virtual reality headsets to independent- and assisted-living communities throughout metro Denver and taking residents on virtual vacations after the COVID-19 pandemic halted travel for all of us for a time. For many, if not all of these seniors, it was their first VR experience! My initial concern was about how I would capture the emotions while they were sitting in a chair and wearing the headset which would block most of their face. Turns out I had nothing to worry about after all. Wish of a Lifetime really enhanced their experiences with souvenirs and sometimes even a taste of the “local” cuisine to enjoy! The adventures begin below. (Special thanks to Megan Newton Photography for the referral.)