All Iowa Boy

When you think Iowa, you think farms.

Thursday's senior was the epitome of an Iowa farm boy.

David had his jeans... boots, plaid shirt, Ford truck, FFA awards, belt buckle and a "war story" that includes a heifer-induced broken arm.

David's mom put it best when she mused... "Let's put it this way, David doesn't own a pair of nikey's."

That says it all my friends.

Continuing education

One of the things I enjoy about my job is getting educated by today's seniors. Seems like I learn something new everyday.

Wednesday's "instructor" was Jeff. As I typically do, I asked Mr. Jeff about what his plans were for next fall.....

Expecting something along the lines of Iowa, ISU, MCC, Simpson, Central...... I found something quite different instead.

"I'm going to Alaska."

Alaska?

Jeff is off to study physical therapy at the University of Alaska Southeast in the capital city of Juneau. I found this revelation endlessly fascinating as Papa Chris, Jeff and I discussed all the quirkiness of this Alaskan town (not accessible by road... get on a boat or fly in, my friends!)

Hats off to Jeff for his out of the box plans for the future! UAS! UAS! UAS! :-)

A break from the norm...

For the most part, our blog has been all seniors, all the time.

Sure, we stay busy with other projects, but the blog has been put in to create senior buzz, and I think we've done that.

That being said..... when a gal carries the crown of being the photographer's all-time favorite senior ever... she gets her own blog entry for her engagement session.

Membership has it's privileges. :-)

Alicia and her fiance', T.J. made their way to Montour all the way from Chicago! I wasn't surprised that Miss Alicia had found herself a great fella..... and the GREAT news is that T.J. will be able to work on Alicia's ONLY flaw..... her love of all things Cyclone. For you see, T.J. is a Hawkeye. A future house divided? Perhaps. (listen REAL closely when the part comes up about submitting to your husband, 'licia!) :-)

Seriously... it was awesome to catch up with Alicia and even better..... we had a fun session with images that show how much they love each other.

Continuing the fight...

So, I've had some eye-openers this fall already with a senior that's battled lymphoma, and a senior that lost his mother to cancer recently.

Sobering sessions, to be sure.

Then there's Melissa.

Mel should be enjoying her senior year at GMG. She should be "worrying" about things like homecoming dates, downloads to her iPod, going to football games, pep rallies, late night dashes to Taco John's...

Instead, Melissa is spending far too much of her precious youth at University of Iowa Hospitals in Iowa City..... receiving chemotherapy.

Since September of 2004, this young lady has been in the fight of her life against leukemia. Doctors have gave her a 60% chance of survival back in 8th grade when this battle began. She thought she was in the clear once..... but it's back again.

Somehow, someway... Melissa mustered up the strength to visit us between sessions and was surprisingly upbeat. In fact... I had to tell her when NOT to smile! :-)

Reality is that Melissa doesn't want my sympathy or pity. She'd love nothing more than to have her real hair back...... to never be hooked up to a machine again..... to just be a teen just like her peers.

Let's all pray for that to become a reality.

all in a Day's work

Ericka Janae contacted me early in the summer and was hot to trot. She got all of her questions answered... and was ready to book.

"I'll talk to my mom and get back to ya!"

Nearly three months passed..... not another word.

I had given up on this blue-eyed redhead when I heard from her again in late September.

"whaddya have available asap?!?!"

So I shoot off the dates..... and wait....... and wait........

And wait.

Finally we go the panicked call from Mom trying to get one of the last decent days available before Old Man Winter robs us of our short lived fall season.

"Credit card number?"........

Then it was ON like Donkey Kong. :-)

Also known as "Red" and "Pinky".... this West Marshall Trojan had one of the most friendly dispositions of the entire senior season. Ericka also is a runner..... for the WM cross country and track teams, among other opportunities to show off her speed. I took advantage of that talent and ran her all over town.... in the leaves...... in the trees...... parking illegally..... laying on the highway... we did it all. Killer session, Red. Great job!

Goin' back to Kali

Horse lover, Kali, was our Tuesday morning visitor and this gal was a trooper dealing with the 30-degree temps!

Off we went, east of Toledo to get her pride and joy, Sadie and Dylan, photographed. Sadie was a hyper old Phillie that Kali informs me that once raced at Churchhill Downs. Wow! Dylan was a little more laid back and let Kali hop on for some bareback images.

As self-proclaimed "farm gal," Kali made me swallow my pride when she cracked out the Austen Arnaud Cyclone jersey! :-) Being the professional that I am.... I gave that look WAY more justice than the 'Clones 2-5 record deserves! Kidding of course!