I went to Jared's...

 I get to this point every year.  

Sometimes I wonder if I'll every truly get there.  Yet I know if I'm patient, the time will come.

But in today's Instagram need-it-yesterday world... sometimes I wonder.

When it's mid September and you're 15 seniors I'm-waiting-on-you-so-hurry-the-heck-up world where a wait that used to be acceptable, now turns to unacceptable...

I feel that.

So, on this day... only a scant few days from Christmas... and now only a week and a half since the session... I can finally say... we're posting out last senior blog of 2015.

Experience tells me that there will be a few more for the class of 2016 after the first of the year.   But for now... they proverbial hay is in the barn... and, as far as I'm concerned... it couldn't have ended much better.

Green Mountain-Garwin senior Jared Van DeWalle was our "finisher" and fittingly... he was a man of many hats.

Three of them, to be exact.

I noticed when he walked in that he was sporting a Fox apparel cap... and had a cowboy hat in hand.   His father had warned us a few days earlier that his LeGrand Volunteer Fire Department gear may be in tow as well...  Thus you now know where the third head gear came from.

I asked Jared right away if his pops would be okay with him wearing all these hats... and he assured me that it would be okay.   I told him pointedly that I had best not receive a complaint call from his father after the fact...

Jared insisted that it would not be problem.

So Mr. Van DeWalle and his three hats proceeded.

After a brief soiree' at the studio, we took off for Casa De Jared.  I was originally told it was somewhere between LeGrand and Garwin... which I guess was technically accurate.   Truth be told; however, Jared's house was within spittin' distance of my own in LeGrand.

A quick trip around the corner, followed by the always adventurous trek across the four lanes of Highway 30 and we were on the gravel of Abbott Avenue and just a mere mile over the hill from the Van DeWalles.

As usual, I was worried that I might walk into a less than photogenic locale... but to my surprise... we were rewarded with lots of opportunity.

Jared had scouted a couple of spots near the Iowa River (thankfully the H3 allowed me the opportunity to get to... trust me... its predecessor the 1996 Plymouth Voyager would have never made it!).  The idea was to chronicle his dedication to bein' a good ol' country boy and his involvement with the fire department in these spots.   Once we banged out his "album covers" in the cowboy hat and plaid... it was off to save the world from flames riverside.

In retrospect, I was driving to the studio just few days ago after a rare few days of December rain that caused some unseasonal flooding and I couldn't help but be thankful for the fact that we got Jared's trademark images done when we did.  Less than a week later... many of these images that you see here would not have been possible.  Undoubtedly, many of the areas are still under water.

But on this day... it was dry... and in fact... we busted out the fire hose and sprayed down the area with plenty of water that a few days later would NOT be needed in any way, shape... or form.

After completing our work riverside... we made our way back up to the Van DeWalle ranch and finished up there by a dozer and an old machine shed.

My favorite moment there was when I was posing our easy goin senior guy by an old gate in the shed and I looked up and saw an old sign over his shoulder.

If memory serves it said... "Oliver Van DeWalle Shorthorns... 1/4 mile north of Hwy 30." 

I asked Jared... "is that grandpa?"

"Great-grandpa."

If  you look closely as the image below... you can barely make out the sign over his shoulder with a blue ribbon around the head of a prize shorthorn.  

Cool history if you ask me.

Just like the senior season of calendar year 2015.

More Matta...

On April 16, 1998... he was first out of the chute.

This go around?   He was second.

For those close followers of our contribution to the blogosphere, you would be aware that we recently photographed South Tama County senior, Harley Matta.

A couple of sessions later, it was twin brother, Andrew's turn.

Harley had informed me during his session that brother Andrew was indeed two minutes older, so I suppose it's only fair that the two traded places this time around.

Like Harley, Andrew was quiet, polite and had few requests... the difference here was... Andrew brought his posse.

This go around, I got to finally meet Mama Maria... Papa Matta... and not surprisingly, Harley had to make a repeat performance so that the bros could get some images together.

While I wasn't a twin, I was about as close as one could get without sharing the womb as I have a brother that is just eleven months my elder.   So with that in mind... I knew that it was important to make SURE that the boys' images were DIFFERENT.   They both wanted our style... but they din't want them to be cookie-cutter identical.

A quick review of both boys' images, I think will show that this goal was achieved.   I told them both that this was important to me... and knowing both of them... I know they appreciated the sentiments.

Walkin' up the 18th fairway...

Just like anyone else, I have lots of doubts... questions... wondering if I'm doing the right thing.

And, like many... when you go through a period of your life where it seems like you've made more than your fair share of mistakes, it's easy to let those questions and negativity take root in your mind.

Faith can get one through even the toughest of times... but our human weaknesses seem to get the best of us far more often than it ever should.

We're SUPPOSED to not worry.   We're SUPPOSED to trust that this is the plan.

Yet do we?

With all of questions and doubts and failures... every now and then a moment of clarity comes shining through and you realize that despite it all, you're doing exactly what you should be.

If you're asking why a silly senior blog is suddenly so serious and deep... I'm not really sure why.   All I know is that I got a message last night from this senior girl's father... and instead of my words bringing others to the point of tears... for once... it was the other way around.

In a poignant moment between two God-fearing men, Shawn Hoskins took a moment from his busy schedule to send me a message.  In part, it went like this:

"Bryan, I came home from the game tonight and my wife had me get on Facebook to see what you had posted.  I am speechless.... I can't thank you enough.  I was told many years ago by my Grandfather to cherish the time that I get with my children because they grow up so fast.  He said, "Shawn, you only get 18 summers with them... so enjoy it."    As I now approach #18, I am wishing time would slow way down.  So I thank you for giving us these wonderful photos to always remember this time in our lives."

Maybe it was the fact that I just went through watching MY only daughter graduate, marry and move away within the last half year... Or maybe the stress from the holiday season and all of its deadlines was getting the best of me.   Or maybe just making way too many mistakes over the past few years and not slowing things down enough to stop and smell the roses... overwhelmed me.

Regardless... it was my turn to let someone else's words make me emotional.   I doubt that was Shawn's intent... but it happened... and there was no stopping it.

I know I'm not the only parent to ever feel this.  And clearly, Mr. Hoskins is getting the first tastes of it.   Maybe since he recognizes it... he'll look back in a year and be glad he took more time with his flag bearin', phone totin', confetti blowin adorable baby girl.

Your Grandfather was a very smart man, Shawn... And while I know Kylee doesn't play golf for East Marshall... I'm glad you are pausing to watch her make that walk up her 18th "fairway."   There's still lots of time for many memories to be made... both before and after graduation day.  

For the most part, my kids will vouch that I'm just a dumb dad that has done his best to never grow up. Yet, they've turned out pretty well despite my efforts. I don't think there's any one of us that doesn't have regrets... or doesn't wish for time to slow down... just like you, Mr. Hoskins.

I took a few minutes during your daughter's session to encourage her to chase her dreams.   If she really wants to be a marine biologist... then gol darn it... she should!   And as I was saying that... I could see the doubts... questions and negativity telling her it wasn't gonna happen.

Maybe I was just a blow-hard blabber mouth.   I've been known.   But you never know what impact your words might have on someone.   And I don't know a whole lot... but what I do know is... it's not hard to be nice to someone... or to encourage them.  

I'm thankful that God gives me the opportunity to do so every day... and I thank Shawn for returning the favor... whether he knew how much it meant to me or not.  Sure, this thing I do is "just senior pictures."  But I know at least one dad... and maybe a few others... this experience is more than that.  And if that's the case... I'm exactly where I need to be.

Hang on to those dreams, Kylee Marie... and that cross around your neck... anything is possible.

Hangin' with Harley

We were down to the last couple seniors of the calendar year...

And then came a couple more...

A couple Matta Bros., that is.

Mama Maria gave us a jingle and set up sessions for her twin boys, and while my long standing policy of giving every individual senior their own session wouldn't allow us to do both in the same day... we did get 'em in under the proverbial 2015 wire.

First up was second born, Harley.

Just two minutes less time spent on Earth than older brother, Andrew, Mr. Harley paid us a visit in early December... and he brought an old friend with him.

Work schedule didn't allow Maria to make the session (Andrew claims it's because she loves him more), so the obvious solution if mama can't be there is for a young man to trust in his main squeeze.

That responsibility fell to none other than Harley's two-and-a-half year amor, Alma Pesina.   I photographed Miss Pesina three years ago as a member of the South Tama County Class of 2013.   It wasn't long after that that these two made it a steady thing... and it was good to have her along for the ride that Thursday morning.  Two and a half years is a long time at any age... let alone for a couple of teens

For those that know the easy goin' Harley, they will find it as no surprise whatsoever that the young man had a hard time pulling off the B.A. serious look when asked to do so.   The task becomes even MORE difficult, however when his girlfriend is constantly GIGGLING over my shoulder.

Maybe she WASN'T that much help, after all?

:)

For the most part, then... it was all smiles... all the time... with the one obvious exception being the basketball collage that Harley requested.   He might be one of the nicest guys around... but we still  had to make #51 look tough for THAT, at the very least.

Harley informs me that he'll be attending the University of Northern Iowa in the fall and he was definitive in his plans.

"Whatcha planning on doing," I asked.

"I'm going to UNI... and I'm gonna be a Spanish teacher."

Done deal it sounds like... and I'll just go ahead right now and predict that not only will he follow through... but whatever school district he lands at... Mr. Matta will be the most popular teacher in the building.

I haven't know him for very long... but it wasn't hard to figure out... to know Harley Matta... is to like him.

That's all the Matta that I have for now... stay tuned, however... because after a brief message, we will return to our regularly scheduled Matta programming.

Payton makes it back to our place...

When I talked to Payton back in August, if I told him I'd be posting his blog in mid-December, he woulda told me I was all kinds of crazy.

Crazy I am, I guess.

After prodding Mama Crystal for months, Payton finally got his madre to call and a November 12th session was set.

Then November 12th rolled around.

And as luck wouldn't have it... it was one of those sustained 30 mph wind days with temps to match, and a postponement was in order.

Team Whitebreast insisted on an afternoon slot, so a two-week torturous wait ensured to get Mr. Payton back in the fold... but it ended up being worth it.

The reunion with Payton and his mom finally occurred  on the first of December.   And I say "reunion" because there's a history here.

Crystal and my wife attended college together back in.... well... we'll just say a FEW years ago.   So when Mrs. Whitebreast's first child, Lexus graduated in 2011, she brought her business our way.   The whole fam damily came back to see me a year later in 2012 for a fall family session, in which I got to meet the men of the family.... Crystal's hubs, Arlan.   And then just a freshman, Payton.

My how time flies.   Fast forward three years and Payton is now a senior... still helping manage the Trojan girls basketball teams at South Tama County... but now looking forward to what he wants to do with the rest of his life.

As I often do, I picked the brain of our guest of honor for the day....

"What are your plans for next year and beyond?"

I had to chuckle with his answer.

"I'm either gonna be a veterinarian.... or maybe go to school for culinary arts."

Certainly a wide range of potential careers there.   But you know what?   You're only young once... and it's NOW that you have the world by the tail... calling your own shots.   Why not, I say.   If dude wants to save animals... or perhaps prepare them for dinner.   That's HIS prerogative!

So, August turned into December... and while the weather, for the most part was cooperative on his second scheduled shoot date, we didn't escape the day without a little blowing snow on the last set of the last outfit.  A little Fall mixed with a little Winter.   A wide range of seasons to go with our senior with a wide range of future potential.

Thanks for coming back to see us again, Whitebreast family.