Good-to-Go with Dignity: A Creative Collaboration Captures Seniors at Their Best

A group photo of the Allkin team and the SUSS PDIG Team (From left to right) Rong Ying, Zeti, Rachael, Yuan Ting, Zack and Carina

Discussions about death are often seen as taboo, yet preparing for the end of life can be both empowering and deeply meaningful. Allkin Singapore has been paving the way for such conversations through its Good-To-Go (GTG) programme. GTG provides awareness about early planning tools as well as a supportive space to facilitate seniors’ discussions about life and death topics.  

During the semester break, the SUSS Production Interest Group (PDIG) was honoured to collaborate with Allkin for one of its group work sessions. Our team supported the seniors in capturing professional portraits on 31 July 2025.  The seniors could use these portraits for future arrangements, such as funeral and obituary photographs, an essential but often overlooked part of end-of-life planning.

Zeti (left) shooting for the beneficiaries while Zack (left) checks for the photos in a monitor screen

Zack (left) and Zeti (right) reviewing the photos after a couple of shoots for the beneficiaries

While the purpose of the photoshoot carried a solemn intent, the atmosphere on set was anything but sombre. As members of PDIG engaged with the beneficiaries, they witnessed a lively spirit among the seniors, eager, joyful, and full of stories to share. Laughter filled the room as conversations flowed, bridging generations through warmth and connection. For many of the seniors, it was their first experience in front of a professional camera. Some admitted feeling shy or unsure of how to pose or smile, having grown unaccustomed to being photographed. Yet, these tender moments became meaningful opportunities for the students to understand the seniors’ perspectives and respond with empathy and care. As one of the photographers, Zeti, reflected, “Interacting with the seniors and hearing their stories was truly heartwarming. They approached the shoot with enthusiasm, and it was uplifting to witness their joy throughout the process.”

Yuan Ting (left) and Zack (right) showing beneficiaries their photos for them to review and check how they look in the photos

Yuan Ting (middle) guiding and reviewing the photos taken by Carina (left) and Zack (right)

 Yuan Ting also added that she “was glad to be part of this project to be able to provide something meaningful to the beneficiaries. It was surprising to see the positive attitude the seniors have towards the Good-to-Go event. Watching them enjoy the makeup and photoshoot process, and seeing their appreciation for the photos afterwards, filled my heart.”

Carina, a PDIG member, as the camerawoman for this segment of the shoot

The collaboration was also an opportunity for SUSS PDIG members to try something new and redefine taboos. Zack shared how the seniors’ trust gave him the confidence to step up, even when faced with unfamiliar equipment. Carina, who initially struggled with lighting placement and shadows, adapted quickly and left with stronger skills in portrait photography. SUSS PDIG members gained hands-on experience in managing a professional photoshoot, handling lighting setups, and engaging meaningfully with seniors.

Beyond technical skills, the project highlighted the importance of patience, empathy, and building trust. Despite language barriers and the sensitive nature of the event, the seniors’ resilience and positivity left a strong impression on our team.

One of the volunteer makeup artist helping the beneficiary do their makeup

This meaningful initiative would not have been possible without the invaluable support of the Allkin GTG team members Rong Ying and Rachael. They played a crucial role in organising the space, engaging the makeup artists, and managing the flow of seniors from makeup to the photoshoot.  They also helped to facilitate the session by speaking with the seniors to put them at ease and offering gentle suggestions for poses. Through this collaboration, the SUSS PDIG team not only honed their photography skills but also gained deeper insight into how creativity can be a powerful tool for meaningful social impact. We are deeply grateful to Allkin for the opportunity to be part of this initiative, and we look forward to supporting future GTG runs.

Note: The photos accompanying this article have been intentionally blurred to protect the privacy of the beneficiaries.