A brand new Day...

The Class of 2013 is looking like the group of seniors that will never quit...

And we like it that way.

Sure "senior season" usually ends for all intents and purposes at or around the end of October annually, but who says that we can't do images at other times?

Not Ian Day.

My first brush with the Day family was back in October of 2008 when sassy red-head Ericka visited us and flat out killed it with some of the neatest fall images.

A little more than four years later, little bro, Ian busted in the door on a Wednesday morning... firm handshake, cool clothes and an excitement about the process that sometimes I don't see from late season seniors.

Mom was out of town, and I had talked with Papa Paul (who just so happed to work with my father at Fisher for many years in Marshalltown) prior to the session, and so it was just a couple of dudes... running around makin' the most of what the season gave us.

Speaking of season... are we going to even get a spring this year?

Ian had brought some shorts, but even as tough as he was... I couldn't talk him into crack out the short pants for the outdoor... and at 30-something degrees yet AGAIN on this spring morning... I can't say that I blamed him.

We talked about graduation that was coming up... and even before that... the fact that Mr. Day is preppin' to be stylin' at not one, but two black-n-gold proms here in a couple weeks (West Marshall and BCLUW).   He told me he was aware that the services of the now infamous H3 had been requested at the style show in Conrad by a friend of his that goes to school there so she can arrive in style.  I guess word travels fast.  We jumped out the back door to jump in the extremely dirty Hummer and Ian asked me... "Dude, you go muddin' in this?"

The answer was no... it's just THAT filthy.  (Don't worry Mackenzie... I'll wash it before you have to use it for prom!) 

It sounded like Ian has been logging some hours at the new Menards in Marshalltown where he works part time.  And from the sounds of it, he should be able to keep his job there even in the fall if he wants as he informed me that he's planning on sticking around, gettin' the requirements done at MCC before eventually heading over to Iowa State and studying genetics.

While I may have given Ian a hard time about the lateness of his session, have no fear... the Class of 2013 ain't done yet.  At a minimum there's one more on the books this week... and Ian's buddy Josh will follow the next week.

Maybe eventually we'll have some spring like temperatures to shoot in... but I'm not banking on it!  ;)

Critchfield No. 5

When Austin walked in Thursday morning... it brought back so many memories...  Memories that span over a decade and a half... with the same family.

The fifth of five siblings, Austin's had finally gotten around to HIS session... But I couldn't help but think of the past.   Starting with the oldest sibling Randi, who got things started last CENTURY in 1997 when the now hairstylist extraordinaire kicked off the Critchfield quintet with flair... sitting up on a fence with her sunglasses up on her long locks.

A couple years later, left-handed slugger sister Jaime was in to begin what was the first of a long line of David Lee coached Comets to trust Stewart Photography with their senior images.  

The millennium ended, and little cutie, Jordan was next in line.   Sportin' her Bobcat swag and bringin' both her sisters in for a sibling image... it was an amazing day.

It was then an eight year gap before "The Rev" Tyler came to see me as part of the BCLUW class of 2011.  The first Critchfield fella left a lasting impression with his engaging personality and his love for the Lord.

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little melancholy when Austin and his mother, Deb came in last week.  It was the end of the line... the last one... I made sure to thank them for their families loyalty... There's so many options out there nowadays... and yet... one after another... they ALL made the trek to Montour. 

How cool is that?

Awesome in my book.

Austin told me right out of the gate that he had no requests... and he looked me in the eye and said it all...

"I trust ya."

So Austin, Deb and I were off to avoid the mud and capture what little winter that was left... and I was happy with what we got.   I razzed Austin that I had an opportunity to be in Chicago for the Big 10 basketball tournament... or in Omaha for the opening of Taylor Swift's RED Tour... and what did I choose?  Of course... like most of my life... I put work ahead of play... and Mr. Critchfield won out.   And it's probably a good thing because yearbook/newspaper and composite deadlines are looming BIG TIME, right?!?

Regardless.. I just wanted to thank the Critchfields one more time for what I thought was an amazing run.  I don't see it very often... and it didn't go unappreciated.... for sure.