The girl next door...

It's been two weeks since the girl next door walked into my studio.

Ok... maybe it was two doors down?

Long story short...

My wife and I have made our home in LeGrand, Iowa our entire married lives... and 16 of those 18 years have been spent at our current residence.

The other two?   Over on Drury Lane... two doors down from our senior's home.

Marsha and Todd Mellows used to be our neighbors... and while their only daughter Chelsea would have only been a baby back when we shared the same street, she's nearly all grown up now... and the great news is, I got to photograph both of the blondies that have ruled that street for several years now.

Brother Jason was a member of the East Marshall class of 2009, and four years later.... in trots his beautiful sister.   I don't have any fun stories like I did with Jason who would fearlessly ride his bicycle up my driveway on Drury Lane and strike up a convo like I was a family member... but I can tell you this, I wasn't complaining one bit about the opportunity.

A friend of mine texted me the other day to razz me about the run of stunning young ladies that we've had the blessing to photograph in August... and Chelsea fits right into the mold... and I told her that... I hope that made her day.

Her demands were few... Just a couple of symbolic stuffed monkeys that had to make an appearance (seems as tho someone she's sweet on gave them to her) and other than... that.... "just make me look good."

Not a problem, Miss Mellows. 

I've made it no secret that one of the neatest things for me personally is to have been in the business long enough to quite literally watch a child go through their entire lives and then come to me for senior pictures to capture this Seminole moment in their journey.

So from the crib on Drury... to the near culmination of getting her diploma... I've watched this little gal blossom into the gorgeous young lady that she is now.   I'd be lying if I said that I wasn't moved when I kept being told during the session from Chels and her mama that they wouldn't even think of going elsewhere for senior pictures...  Why?   "Because you're one of us... it's the only choice that makes sense."

I couldn't agree more.

Thanks for your loyalty, neighbors.  ;)