I'm not the one that's supposed to do the choking up here...

There's times like this during every busy season that I go through this.   The endless 17 hour days... Super excited seniors waiting not days, but weeks on me to deliver for them.  Many personal sacrifices made in the name of my trade, yet... every time I turn around.  It seems the mountain of work that I've made for myself... has gotten larger.

The biggest blessing in all of this is you... My client.   And your understanding that doing this the way we have chosen to operate does take a little patience.   Sure, two or three weeks isn't like an eternity.   But, dang... it sure seems like it when you're on the edge of your seat with excitement, doesn't it?

I've got news for you.   Even after 3,000 senior... I still get excited for this.   THIS moment.   Showing you what WE did together.   What WE created as a team that day a few weeks back.

Nevertheless, the weight of expectation and the sheer quantity of it is heavy.   I'm human.   There are times, when I'm not sure how I can do another 110 hour week.

And then, as if God put them there just to give me that nudge one more time at 4 a.m. to get up and tackle the day one more time with the same enthusiasm that I've tried to show for the past twenty years... I get this.

"Few months ago Raena and I began discussing where she would like to go for senior pictures. She told me who she thought she wanted and all though we did discuss a few options we went with her first choice. After all her first choice had been recommended by several people. So I called to get info about scheduling an apt. First impression just from taking on phone; "damn I am glad I picked this guy" When I got off the phone all of my questions had been answered even the ones I didn't think to ask! Well Raena has since had her senior session, and it was a truly fantastic, stress free, experience!!!

From the minute we arrived at Stewart Photography, Bryan Stewart was professional yet personable. He took a few minutes for introductions, asked about any ideas and/or preferences we may have, talked with Raena about her outfits and hair ! Then we where off to began shooting. From this point on there was not a detail Bryan did not pay attention to, from a bracelet being placed on the right hand for every shot it was worn in, to the necklace not being placed to far over, that one strand of hair that wasn't in the right place, driving around until he found the perfect shot of the horizon for the perfect dance picture, then rolling around on the ground to capture that perfect shot, googling an image of an idea Raena had and finding the best prop to use for this idea.
 
Then there was the time spent after the shoot, going over all the details of our photo options! I could probably go on and on about what a fantastic job Bryan did! I am so glad we chose Stewart Photography for Raena's senior session, I highly recommend Bryan for not only a senior session but any of your photography needs! Schedule your session with Bryan Stewart today you will not be disappointed!!"

What you just read is the "thank you" that I received from Cindy Perez.... mother of Marshalltown senior, Raena Garcia.

I was in the middle of processing Raena's images that evening after her session and out of nowhere... those three simple paragraphs showed up on my facebook wall.   Fatigued and trying to fight off Mr. Sandman, my eyes welled up.

Part pride from a job well done... part joy from knowing that I made another senior and senior mom happy with their experience, it overwhelmed me as I failed to get through reading it all to my wife.

She just put her hand on the shoulder of her weary husband and said, "that's why you do this."

And she was right.

Cindy and Raena hadn't even seen an image yet, and still felt compelled to tell the world about their time with us.  I couldn't be more flattered... and then buoyed and driven to make SURE that the images matched their experience.

I've watched Raena grow up the last few years as her dance studio photographer for Miss Kimi's Dance Konnection.   And even after the rat race that picture night is... she STILL felt compelled to have me do her senior images (trust me... the pressure of picture night can bring out the worst in all of us sometimes!).

It is with great pride, happiness and yes... even a few tears of my own that I present Raena's senior blog to you.   Thank you to all of our clients for your trust (and yes... most certainly your patience) during this busy time of year... and thank YOU, Cindy Perez... for taking the time to remind me why it is that I do it this way.   It didn't go unnoticed.