Goin' back to Boston...

It was July 24, 2002. South Tama senior Brandon Dunning and his mom, Cindy were here for senior pictures.

Along for the ride was the most handsome little nine-year old blond headed boy you would ever wanna meet.

Helpful, polite and a smile that you just KNEW was gonna make him a heartbreaker in just a few years...

Fast forward eight years, and that promise that Cindy made me back then came to fruition last Friday afternoon.

In walked a totally impressive young man. Still friendly, personable and conversational... I learned that Boston has grown into a well-rounded guy.

Clearly with a passion for music, he toted in an acoustic and an electric guitar as well as a set of keys that he uses with his band.

I had learned of his band "The Greatest Action" a year ago when i photographed band-mate, David Miller. At THAT time they were getting ready to make their first serious public appearance. Evidently the road and stardom hasn't torn them apart as they are still wowing crowds. ;-)

Here's your shameless plug, guys: http://www.youtube.com/user/thegreatestaction23.

In addition to the music gig... Boston SOMEHOW finds time to do cross country AND football in the fall. Throw in band, chorus, swing choir and a love for soccer in the spring... is there little wonder that his peers tabbed him their Homecoming King last month?

I'm sure I'm embarrassing him at this juncture... but I just think it's really cool to see how well he's turned out since I saw him last. Truly a testament to his mom and dad and his own drive to be involved with nearly everything under the sun.

Evidently his involvement with Upward Bound in conjunction with a 4.0 and awesome test scores (yep... brains, too) has landed him a nice little full-ride to the University of Iowa (GO HAWKS!) next fall. Does it get any better? I think not!

Being the kinda guy that's comfortable in his own skin... he had just one more request at the end of his session, and that was to have me come to his home and photograph his MASSIVE cat. They were unsure of his ability to travel without freaking out... so I made the run over there.

Unfortunately, the feline had different ideas and freaking out would be putting it mildly when I brought the tripod in the living room (ask, Boston... he'll tell ya). So... we ended up settling for the two pups on the front porch instead.

Can't win 'em all, my man. ;-)

A Morning Meeting with Maxxx and Madi...

If you're squeamish about snakes, this probably won't be the blog for you...

Friday morning had me jumping in the Hummer and trekking West of Gilman to photograph Matt and Julie Kopsa Offspring Version 3.0

Four years ago, then eighth grader, Madison Marie, was witness to the session that I may be most infamous for.... her brother, Brooks.

If you don't know exactly what I'm talking about, ask around... it's pretty legendary... and full-disclosure (ahem), I still love to do my best lil' Madi Kopsa impersonation as she cried out in the horror she was forced to witness. :)

But this day was about righting those wrongs.... or was it?

Miss Madi has a vice of her own as, unlike most young ladies... (or humans in general), she LOVES snakes! While most get the heebie-geebies at the thought of the slithery things (present company included), our Friday morning senior has NO FEAR.

I was warned that I was gonna get the chance to meet Max (or Maxx, or Maxxx... the owner likes to toss in a couple extra X's on occasion). I'm not gonna lie... I didn't touch Mr. Maxxx... I left that up to the owner! ;-)

To be fair... Maxxx was well behaved (i think?) and I'm not sure if he was smiling or what... but he basically went were we needed him to go, despite the EXTREMELY crisp morning air.

After we got the maximum outta Maxxx, I found out that Mama Julie (who incidentally was celebrating her, ummm... 39th birthday?) had just RECENTLY found out that Madi (along with friends like Paige p-jag Weidner) liked to make a habit of getting up on top of the Kopsa family grain bin that sits just adjacent to their home. Evidently they have been doing this for years unbeknownst to Julie. Well... now that she's a senior... no biggie! So Madi shimmied up there and we got an image of that before making a roadie back to the studio for more.

Luckily for me, Madison wasn't suffering from any post-traumatic Brooks' session trauma and we nailed a tribute to her brother who's worked his tail off in Coach Brands' wrestling room at the University of Iowa for the past four years. In addition... Madi is quite the artist, and I was graced by some of her finest work there, as well as her love for county league softball.

So, after JUST seeing three families the week prior that each brought the third of three children to me... we had another in the books on this Friday. It makes me wonder why Mykel ('08) was so relatively tame? I suppose that's what happens to the middle child when you're surrounded by such crazies? I think, since I am an innocent and nearly flawless middle child myself... I'll go with that theory. ;-)

Thanks Team Kopsa... you guys rock!

Delightfully Different...

Most say it... but what they mean is something quite the opposite.

I've mentioned in the space on this blog before that it's common to hear that seniors what whats different. Way out on the edge... wack... attention grabbing... standing apart from the crowd.

I call bull-pucky on that for the most part.

Reality is, most want to look like what the rest of society says they SHOULD look like.

Hip, preppy, stylish, well-manicured, trendy and just like every magazine cover you see while waiting in line at the grocery store.

In the end... most want to look contemporary and relevant... I can buy that. Different? It's debatable at best.

Then you have Rebecca.

Truth is here... at least what I can tell on the outside... she wants nothing to do with looking mainstream. Sure it's the age old battle between what society says she should be... or what her mom thinks she should have on, but in the end... if we were all walking Brad Pitts and Megan Foxes, that would be pretty boring. And who would the paparazzi follow? :)

So, I delight in the fact that she's her own girl. And if she want to thumb her nose at the rest of us and bust out Hello Kitty and a hat... so be it. If she wants to be over the top obsessed with the Twilight saga... good for her... I choose the Hawkeyes... she chooses Team Jacob... or was it Team Edward? Hmmmmm.

It wasn't all non-mainstream... we worked in a family member in Oreo the little Schnoodle. (I think that's what the breed was... schnauzer/poodle) ;-) What a CUTE little four legged friend! In addition, Rebecca's mother wanted to know if we could come up with a tribute to Rebecca's grandfather... so we did that, too. And as a capper... we worked in an AMAZING prom dress at the end that any girl would love to have. Let's just say that THAT dress cost more than her four outfit session and all the pictures that come with it! ;-)

Bottom line is that thanks to Mama Shelley's referrals co-worker DeLee Freiberg and cousin Chris Rhinehart, I got connected with a unique individual that isn't afraid to show it. And for that... I'm grateful.

En fuego! Gil brings the heat!

I asked Gil if there was anything special he wanted for his session Thursday morning and he looked down for a second... and in classic Gil fashion, looked back up and said...

"I just want my clarinet on fire."

And with a tip of the hat to J.J. Gummert (East Marshall, '08), I had my marching orders for the second time in studio history.... we had to torch a clarinet.

Truth is... the reason he only had one request, was because the HARD work was already put in.

By sis.

I got to know Gil's older sister, Irasema for the first time Thursday as well. I knew she was the long time sweetheart to Stewart Photography legendary senior David Turk (EM, '07). I knew she graduated in '08... but it was her first trip to our studio along with her mother.

So where does the hard work come in?

It was clear to me that Irasema was the fashion consultant and what a job she did! Evidently a last minute trip to Jordan Creek in West Des Moines took place last week and either I just got lucky, the girl read our brochure... or she just flat out knows how to pick 'em!

Our senior literature, (along with nearly every other professional studio) BEGS seniors to avoid plaids and stripes... and you can also toss in long sleeves as being a preference.

One look at Gil's four outfits, and it's easy to see that they couldn't have done a better job on their mall excursion.

All solids... all long sleeves... and you add in Gil's angular frame and you've got yourself a sharp dressed man!

It was a BIG week for our senior guy... as not only was it finally time to do senior pictures... but he also wrapped up his cross-country career with one more run at Districts... and probably more importantly to Gil... he was going for All-State in band yet again.

Already a two-time member of the All-State club, Gil had auditions on Saturday... and I'm glad to report that he's now part of the state's elite for the THIRD time.

As good friend, Madi Kopsa might say.... "Way to go, Gilberto!"

Not only did he rock that horn... but he nailed the senior session as well. Good job outta you, Gil! ;-)

Crazy Cori Comes In To Rock the Cons...

I took one look at her fun dress and the All-Star Converse that she wanted to wear with it... and I instantly knew what kind of gal we had on our hands.

A FUN one!

Cori is the second child that Terry and Kim Mapes of Newton brought my way. Brother Troy (Class of '08) was turned on to us by friend Megan Hicks (Newton, '07) the year before and the connection was made.

Troy, I thought, was a neat guy that told me it was his desire to be a youth pastor someday. From the sounds of it... Mama Kim tells me he's thriving at Crown College in St. Bonifacius, Minnesota as he is following thru exactly on the plan he told me about three years ago.

I found Cori to be a free spirit the entire session as she was always smiling... half the time laughing... and even sometimes bustin' a move when I would return to the camera room. I told her that my return shouldn't stop her fun and judging from the candid-ness of some of her images... it DIDN'T!

When i asked Cori what HER plan was for next fall... she had a unique answer as well. Not surprisingly... she, too, wants to help others with her life.

The plan is to attend Carthage College on the banks of Lake Michigan in Kenosha, Wisconsin and obtain a double major in elementary education and Spanish. Her hope is to eventually be a first grade teacher in an inner city area someday.

Luckily for Cori... no matter what the dress code is for the instructors at her school someday... she'll have her bases covered. Whether it's a pair of heels or some low-top Converse, she'll be set. And I fully expect an update when we see sister, Krystal in two years!

Good to see the Mapes family again. Thanks for your support. Seems as though some in the Newton area don't know I exist, but you do... and I appreciate that! ;-)