Bayou Becky...

Irvin and Kayleen Schwartzenburg have kept me busy over the years.

Their eldest, Ben got the ball rolling almost a decade ago, followed by David five years ago and Tim the following year.

Tack on some family pictures in 2008, and I had become very familiar with Team 14-Letter-Last-Name.

With all those boys in a row, however, there was one thing missing.

The Baby Girl.

While I met the Schwartzenburg's only daughter at that family session six years ago when she was just completing 6th grade, I clearly had two more ornery boys to photograph... and a half-dozen years to wait until lil' Becky would finally have her turn.

That turn finally came last Friday, and with all due respect to the fellas, I think they'll be the first to agree the prettiest was saved for last.  

As protective as Kayleen told me that her boys are over their little sister, I was kinda surprised that we didn't have a Schwartzenburg entourage of brother body guards for the session, but just like all the seniors before from this clan... it was Mom along for the ride again.

Kayleen had lamented the fact a few weeks prior on our facebook that it was going to be her last senior trip to our studio, and to be honest, I was too.

As soon as the girls walked into the studio, it was just like running into old friends again... you know... picking up where you left off.

We shared stories about each other's "only baby girl" situations, even though ours was our first senior a month ago, and theirs is obviously their last.  We also talked about both of our recent trips down south.  Ours to Florida, theirs back "home" to Louisiana.  I had spied (ok... stalked) on facebook that the Swartzenburgs had spent the week prior in Louisiana for their anniversary, and I also learned that the long term plan is to relocate there after Becky graduates from MHS.

That can only mean one thing... more LSU football games!

Papa Irvin has roots in the Bayou state, and the family has spent lots of time there over the years.  Naturally, the Schwartzenburgs are big Louisiana State University football fans.  I spared the girls bringing the huge wall print that hangs in my son's Hawkeye room highlighting the 2005 Tate-to-Holloway miracle finish in the Capital One Bowl versus the Bayou Bengals... probably because I figured that last year's loss to the Tigers in the Outback Bowl would quickly be brought up.

The cool thing to me was that we spent a lot of time talking LSU and Southeastern Conference Football during the session.   Who woulda thunk it?  Senior girl and her mom... turns into football round table!  Score!

Sure, we talked about how Becky is spending her time this summer as a lifeguard at Elmwood Country Club and I got the low down about how she's going to LSU for chemistry or biology before becoming one of the finest optometrist in the nation.   But, not surprisingly, I kept circling the discussion back to football.  :)

The girls didn't seem to mind, probably because it kept their minds off the weather that wasn't cooperating.  (I know... shocking... it was raining... AGAIN)

Fortunately, with a little help from the radar on the internet and some quick decision making, we got Becky's entire session in.  We only got stuck out in it once... which may have been one too many for most senior girls... but Becky took it in stride... and if you look at the image in her jean shorts in the field with wild flowers, you will see it was worth getting soaked!

I told Becky that all of her friends were probably gonna ask her when her "rescheduled" session was going to be because SURELY she didn't get it in TODAY!?!

Becky made my day with her response to my scenario:

"Yeah we got it in... I have Bryan STEWART doing my pictures!"

Flattery will get you everywhere with this photographer, young lady! (Even if you falsely think I can control the weather!) :)   You might even get me to root for LSU in the season opener against Wisconsin!

Just maybe!

Thanks for all your support over the years Schwartzenburg family!  I wish you all the best this last year here... and after you make the move back to your "Promised Land."  :)