The Entry.
The Basic.
The Supreme.
The Sportster.
The Ultimate.
The Elite
The Rockstar.
Each progressively BIGGER and perhaps BETTER as each family decides which is the best fit for them.
But I've found out this past week, a new category has been created. After 20 years and well over 3500 senior sessions, somehow THIS one HAD to be different. And once it was created and used once... it would be officially retired...
The Photographer's Only Daughter Session.
You'll have to forgive me as I've spent the large part of this evening crying my eyes out just thinking about writing this. We've been back from the worst kept secret trip to Florida for the session to end all sessions for almost a week now. And while I've been painstakingly working over the images nearly non-stop since, I feel like I've been dragging my feet a little somehow.
In denial... trying to hold back time... I was told this would happen. And yet, when it hits you that it's here, it's still hard to believe.
I vividly remember photographing current East Marshall Baseball Coach, Justin Frost's senior session in 1997, just month after my daughter was born. I was carrying her around in a baby carrier. Mama Ann Frost told me.... "Don't blink... you'll be doing her seniors pictures before you know it."
Pffffff. Whatever, I thought. Class of 2015? I'm only worried about the Class of 1998... and whether the '98 Cubs playoff team might FINALLY make the World Series!
Seventeen years have passed. And while I'm still waiting on the Cubs to make a World Series in my lifetime, my only little girl, Breanna May, has grown up before my eyes.
A beautiful, confident and talented young lady that nearly everyone agrees is a spitting image of her stunningly gorgeous mother (see what I did there?, I could deny it no longer... it was time to plan Bre's senior images.
I knew they had to be something different, but for the most part, I just stayed out of the way... handed over my credit card and told my wife and my daughter to just tell me when and where.
The "when" was right out of the gate with the Class of 2015, and the where was beautiful St. Pete's Beach in sunny Florida.
Make no mistake... I stressed out plenty worrying about trying to supercede some of the things that I already thought (if I may say so myself) were pretty amazing.
How are we gonna get everything there?
Will I remember to take all I need?
How will I know where to go in Tampa/St. Pete?
What if the weather doesn't cooperate?
Those that know me are aware that I put a great deal of pressure on myself on EVERY session we photograph, but THIS one?
I worried for weeks.
I'd be lying if I said I found a way to truly relax on our trip to the Sunshine State. I didn't want to disappoint the apple of my eye...
In the end., I had a pretty girl, plenty of blue skies, white sand, palm trees and scenery that one just doesn't see around these parts. Pretty tough to screw that up, huh?
Nevertheless, I wanted to make her session all that she ever wanted and more. Our third day in Florida was Breanna's 17th birthday (I did my fatherly duty and embarrassed her thoroughly by standing and making all the patrons join me in singing Happy Birthday at a Mexican Restaurant on Gulf Boulevard)
Like most vacations, it was over far too quickly... and just like Mrs. Frost warned me, so was Breanna's time under our roof. Sure... she's got her whole senior year ahead of her, but I as I author this just one hour from my wife and I's 20th wedding anniversary, I think most parents that have been through what I'm experiencing for the first time can relate... it really does go too fast.
Far too fast.
I'm so proud of who you are Breanna May. I hope you enjoy your images and how we created them together with our family.
I love you.
~ Your Dad.
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