Just like a country song...

A pickup.

 

A dusty ball cap.

A boy.

His Mama.

If only his photographer could sing... we had all the ingredients for a chart topping country song.

Dalton Doyle made what seems like his 100th appearance at our studio Thursday afternoon.   Which if you ask him, like most guys, it's been about 99, too many, but this day was different... it was HIS day.

November 16, 2004 was the beginning of what's been a decade-long run for the Doyle boys at Stewart Photography.  And thus began a epic run for Dalton and his brothers here.   Always wanting something a little different... usually Hawkeye Football at the center of their desires, it was almost always an annual event for Dalton's mom, Amy, to put her three ornery boys in front of my lens.

As the boys aged, not surprisingly, they became less and less fond of the idea of being forced against their will to spend time with us.   It's part of being a dude.   Bro code if you will.   

Amy and I fought the good fight cranking out unique images and insanely detailed Hawkeye themed Christmas cards (hey... liking the team the photographer likes has it's advantages!), but eventually it became clear that the boys had hit the point of no return on just taking one for the team... or for mom, more accurately.

Until Thursday.

I got a call earlier in the week mentioning that Dalton had football camp at 5 p.m. the afternoon of his session, so we immediately made plans to bump up his session by an hour or so.   After all the repeat business, loyalty, referrals, and just general awesomeness, I wasn't about to short change Amy's firstborn's senior session.

In the door they came just after the noon hour then, and to my surprise the teen angst that I had grown accustomed to in recent sessions with young Mr. Doyle was replaced with a broad smile that came early and often.

Maybe it was the fact that brother's Kadyn and Bostyn were no where to be found on this day?   Maybe it was to impress his girlfriend Savannah?  Maybe mom bribed him?   Maybe the stars were aligned?   What ever the reason, I was thrilled that we were not only getting the edgy tough looks, but also the softer handsome side that all senior mom's hope for.

From the outside looking in, I think that nearly ANY senior guy that had a ride that Dalton brought in... darn sure SHOULD be smiling.   Check that think out.   2011 Chevy 2500 HD... all tricked out.   The thing is massive.   I felt like a kid in a candy store just getting to drive it into position for our truck series of images!

So there we were... just like old times... Dalton and I and his mom making super cool images... talking sports like it was our job... all the while hustling our way through the session to get South Tama's starting quarterback to practice on time.

Amy had to dart home at one point because STC's 3rd baseman needed his baseball hat for some more of our trademark sports work... but it was no matter.   Dalt and I just kept on with the Stewart Photography version of "The Sports Reporters"... breaking down STC's schedule... the roster... returnees...   Sometimes I wonder... I get PAID for this?  ;)

We even found time to talk a little country music.   Turns out that Dalton and the boys have tickets to see my favs, Florida Georgia Line next week at the Iowa State Fair Grandstand.  I've seen T-Hubb and BK no less than three times in the past calendar year, and the crazy schedule here won't allow this photographer to get down with FGL this go around... so I'm extremely jealous.   Dalton will have to rock out a little harder on my behalf.

Amy returned with the cap... we captured what would become a killer collage.   I wouldn't have been doing my duty if I didn't properly document Dalton's bold tattoos that adorn his forearms.

"Never To Suffer Would... Never To Have Been Blessed"

After the ten year run I've had with this clan... I'm the one that feels truly blessed.   Thanks for your undying support Team Doyle.  I couldn't do this without folks like you.