A cheerleader, dog, flute, Jeep, bassoon, two ATVs and a trip to the farm.

I've often joked that most seniors, especially senior guys, "travel light," as they bring in very few props or requests and are just there to look good.

Then there's Nicole Johnson.

While she undoubtedly wanted to look good... she most certainly wasn't traveling light.

A South Tama football and basketball cheerleader, Nicole had been drawn to us by her visit to the studio last winter for cheer pictures, and she knew then where she wanted to go for her senior images.

That much was decided.

What hadn't been decided was the where and what.

Never fear... the session was set... the outfits planned and I asked Nicole and Mama Lori what, if anything we needed to get done that day...

And that's when the folded up piece of paper got whipped out.

There was no doubt that the Johnson's had done their homework on this project as my marching orders were laid out in exactly detail.

Two musical instruments... the cheerleading outfit that brought her here in the first place... then a trip to the farm several miles north of Toledo where I would be meeting the family dog, a couple of all-terrain vehicles, Nicole's Jeep in addition to a myriad of farm "character" that one only finds by visiting homesteads in these parts.

All that being said... perhaps my favorite part of the session hadn't even been discussed yet.

Nicole's boyfriend, Dakota, was along for the ride that day.   Not that it comes to any surprise, but I had the XM radio in the studio set on a country station.  I entered the camera room to see Nicole, Lori and Dakota waiting on me... and I stopped abruptly and asked... "Is this music ok?"

"HECK YEAH," said Mr. Dakota.

I guess he'd already earned the right to speak for his girlfriend and her mother.  ;)

It was all the answer I needed, however, and the girls certainly didn't seem to mind.   The remainder of the session was spent talking country music and specifically how much the photographer enjoyed rocking out to Florida Georgia Line a few days earlier at the Taylor Swift RED tour at Wells Fargo in Des Moines.   If they weren't planning on hitting up Cedar Rapids' U.S. Cellular Center for the FGL headlining tour on November 2 before Nicole's session... I think they are now!

It's so much fun when you have a common interest with your clients! (take NOTE this week, Cyclone fans!)
In the end... all the bases were covered.  The list was checked off.   The entire playlist of Florida Georgia Line was exhausted and Nicole's wrinkle nose smile made several appearances.  All in all... a great day.

Thanks Team Johnson.