Gone Fishin'... again.

I was told back in the spring... that this time... it was gonna be different.

I was at a track meet in Conrad when I bumped into a pair of twins that most in those parts will not soon forget.

Jamie and Nicole Fisher were back to watch their kid sister run track for the Comets.  Mama Linda was there, too.   I spent some time catching up with the ladies...

What had they been up to?   How were things going?   What were their future plans?

And then the topic changed from the NICL and Missouri Valley legends to MY immediate future.   And that future included Fisher sister No. 3.

Kayla Marie.

I was assured that she marched to her own drumbeat... and I was totally down with that.  I was asked if photographing with livestock was an option.  I told the girls that it wouldn't be the first time.

The good news to me was that evidently I had done enough with the twins that  no-nonsense Mama Linda was fully preparing to come back to our studio.  And while the task at hand was more all country than it was all state... that was perfectly ok... and just because she wasn't the Gatorade Player of the Year... didn't mean that she wasn't truly special in her own right.

Miss Kayla showed up... and while Team Fisher has opted to exclude the livestock that keeps their third daughter busy at the county and state fairs, I wasn't going to escape animals altogether.

I was informed a couple days prior to the session that a new member of the family had been added.  No... Scott and Linda aren't grandparents.... a new family PET had been added.   Milo the puppy was a freshly added adoptee to the Fisher household, and one glance at the image of Kayla and Milo... and one cannot deny that adding lab/collie mix to the session was not a good idea.

The rural/farm/country theme never really left our sights on this day.   In an era that finds me seeing much more bling than bales of hay... more stilettos than sticks... Kayla was a throwback... an country girl and proud of it.   And in my book... that's a-okay.

So we bounced from barns to fences... from sheds to swings.. from hay racks to chair backs... all in an effort to showcase Kayla... her way.

Sure we finished up the day by donning a couple Comet uniforms.   The familiar softball pinstripes have been traded in for a modern sleek black look and the BCLUW cross country uni's made an appearance as well

It was homecoming week last week for Comet Nation.   And with the reappearance of Linda, and daughter Nicole it indeed felt like a homecoming of sorts for me.   We shared old stories and gave each other a hard time and got caught up on what's happened between 2009 and 2014 in each other's lives.

So yes... Kayla was a different kid than her twin sisters.   Nevertheless... she was absolutely spectacular in her own right.   I think all of us parents will readily agree that each of our children are amazingly different and blessings in their own ways.   It was my job to showcase Kayla's style and personality... and I hope she feels that I did just that.

Thanks Team Fisher for allowing me to be your Gatorade Photographer of the Year... and your Best In Show for all of your girls.  

Trackin' down Bryce...

It was an amazing couple of days for this old sportswriter.

After seeing arguably the area's best female track athlete on Monday... we followed up with her male counterpart on Tuesday.

GMG High School's Bryce Newcomb had been on my radar for quite awhile.   I had photographed him as a little boy a decade and a half ago.   Being the sports nut that I am, I was keenly aware that that boy had grown up to become one of the state's premier track and field performers.

In the middle of the craziness that is our senior busy season around here, I was reminded of Bryce by his quarterback Bridger Claassen at his session back in July.   Turns out all that speed and jumping ability makes Mr. Newcomb a fair football and basketball player as well.

But make no mistake... while dude can run a go route and dunk with the best of 'em... he's at his best in the sand.   The long jump pit sand.

So when Mama Kelly finally called to book her son's senior pictures, I was stoked to get him in here.   Not just to make amazing images... but to pick his brain...  compare stories and experience... from an old over-the-hill trackster to a current one with unlimited potential.

That potential came to fruition at last April's Drake Relays.   Already the holder of the school record at an impressive 21 feet 9 inches, America's Athletic Classic was just the time to best that mark.

His first attempt inside the blue oval did just that as the Wolverine junior popped off a 21-9 1/2.    

And then it happened.

In the type of thing that cannot be explained by logic, Bryce broke his own school record again.... by FOURTEEN inches!

His buddy Bridger had told me in July that Bryce had jumped 23 feet.  He wasn't quite correct.... it was 22-11.  

Yeah... "only" 22-11.

That jump was good enough that only one other athlete in all of the state of Iowa bested him.   Not too shabby for a fella from a Class 1A school in tiny Garwin.   Add in the fact that the young man doesn't even have a long jump pit to practice on, and it's truly mind boggling.

The state was certainly set for Newcomb to become the Class 1A long jump champion, and while Bryce will be the first to tell you his state meet wasn't what he wanted... (he ended up 5th) there's still another year ahead of him... another year of maturity and added strength and consistency... another opportunity to hone his craft... I look for big things in his senior campaign.   (oh by the way... he tossed in a 5th place finish in the 400 and 7th in the 200 for good measure... and I know he'll move up in those two races as well).

All that track stuff was a known quantity coming in on Mr. Newcomb.   What I didn't know was that he has a passion for guitar as well.   Mama Kelly assured me that her son's love of the instrument rarely extended beyond the four walls of his room at home.   It's his escape... his way to unwind.   Alone... just a guy and his guitar.   So while he brought both his electric and acoustic, Team Bryce was looking for "quiet" images with his six-strings... and that's what we tried to do.

The remainder of the session included lots of catching up with the Newcomb's, talk about his beloved Chicago Bears and of course, all the sports talk.

Fittingly then... we ended the day in a long jump pit... and then on the gritty streets of Garwin as Bryce showed off those mad hops on the playground in his Wolverine hoops uniform.   It was a different twist on what we many times do with our sports stuff at Stewart Photography... but it's what he envisioned... and it was my job to bring it to life.   Now that he's got the always important Stewart Photography Karma on his side... I have no doubt that his long jump dreams will come to life as well.

Good luck this season, my man.   Let it rip.

Vawter Victory...

I'd be lying if I said this was just another senior.

I had already photographed her older sis.   She was one heck of a runner in her own right.   And for those of you with your head buried in the sand in the past year or so.... NEWS FLASH:   Mallory Vawter has skills.

Mad skills.

About 80 pounds ago, I could pick 'em up and lay 'em down a little bit myself, and there isn't much else that gets an old trackster more excited than when one of the state's premier athletes pays a visit to the studio.

So when Mal and Mama Pam sprinted into Stewart Photography Monday morning (ok... they walked... just go with it) I could not WAIT to get to the track stuff.  There was just one problem.

We had three "regular" outfits to do first.

:)

So the smile was just a NOTCH smaller than sis's epic biggest-smile-i've-ever-seen-in-21 years grin, but unmistakably Vawter-esque, nonetheless. Add in the trademark Vawter infectious energy and pizzazz, and this was exactly how I expected it... A true I-Get-Paid-For-This type of day.

Mama Pam assured me that her powder-keg kid was just STARTING to get warmed up when we were nearing the finish line.   And for someone that's known for finishing strong... that didn't surprise me.

Nevertheless, I wondered in the back of my mind of our guest of honor wasn't purposely holding back a bit as to not have what her mom called her "usual antics" end up on our world famous Stewart Photography Blog. 

Not only can she run and jump... but she ain't no dummy either!

So I had to plow though a trio of looks and a couple hairstyles before getting to the sports stuff that I was selfishly looking so forward to.   When you're fully aware that you've got a state champion in the 100 meter hurdles in your midst, the old reporter in you can't HELP but to bubble to the surface.  

The questions and comments came fast and furious at that point.

And why not?   First in the hurdles.   Second in the long jump.  Third in the 100 meters.   5th in the shuttle hurdle.

Was that at the Comet Relays?   The NICL Conference Meet?   Districts?  

Ummm no.   That was Mal's STATE meet.

Not a bad days work.

so when it came time to layout one of our trademark sports collages, I knew I had my work cut out for me.   Regularly, I have marginal to below average athletes ask me to make 'em look like all-staters.  And while we do our best to do exactly that, it's certainly not lost on THIS photographer's eyes when one of the best entrusts us to document he or she's accomplishments.

It wouldn't be any exaggeration to say that I could have quite easily created a track-only sports collage for this extraordinary girl, but we also had to work in softball, volleyball and basketball as well.

I told her flat out I felt pressure here to try to raise the bar on this project she and her mom had hired me to accomplish for then.   Nevertheless... pressure is something we're used to here... and it was time to deliver.

And while Team Vawter will have to be the ultimate judge of whether I actually did that, I know this much... I couldn't be more impressed as to how humble Miss Vawter was considering her off-the-chart talents.

It takes a special kid to come back from the horrific injury that she suffered early in her sophomore season.  (think muscle tearing from bone and you don't need to know anything else) .  And to go from unable to walk to being able to explode down the runway of the long-jump or to blow out of the blocks in the 100 or the hurdles... it's overall a testament to her dedication to get back... and to not only get back.. but to get back and be even BETTER than she was before.

The good news for all of us, is that we get another full SEASON to see what Mallory might accomplish.   In my book, there's few things cooler to me than to show up at a contest featuring speed on speed... power on power... and for everyone in the joint to be saying... "What that girl in the black and gold there in lane 4."  

The best part ?   Is when the aforementioned standout DELIVERS.   It ain't braggin if you can back it up.   And why she won't brag... I will... for her.   Mallory is a special talent and I hope she finds a way to continue wowing us long after she puts on the Comet uniform after this year.

If not... we'll count our blessings as being witness to one of the best that ever was.   It had been close to three DECADES since BCLUW had a track and field champion.   While that streak of futility is now over... the bad news for competitors in the are?   Miss Vawter's still got another year for you to get used to the back of her uniform.

Thanks for choosing our studio, Miss Mal.  Best wishes to you and the remainder of your career!  

Bakin' up another September 16th session with my like-minded F•R•I•E•N•D•S

It's hard to watch our babies grow up.

And despite dragging our feet and severe cases of denial, our kids eventually have their last first day of high school, their last homecoming... their last game to cheer at... their last high school play... and yes... they do have to get their senior portraits made.

Someone might want to give Jackie Pippin that memo.

You'd think that she'd be fully aware.   She just had her first round of letting go just last year!   Her and her husband, Robb, just cut loose their ton-of-fun son son to Wartburg after an epic high school career.   His session was just as crazy cool as his well coiffed hair and hilarious sense of humor.  Yet, just one calendar year later... to the exact DAY... the Pippins were stepping back in the batter's box at Stewart Photography.

September 16, 2013 to September 16, 2014.    Brother then sister.

Oh sure, Jackie KNEW that she needed to plan ahead and call early for her daughter.   And she did... yet the appointment wasn't nailed down for the longest time.

Seeds were planted... ideas were bandied about, but there was the pesky little issue of actually setting the DATE.

She claimed that a hectic work situation kept her from finalizing daughter Sarah's spot, but I'm not so sure it wasn't a healthy case of denial.

Every time I'd bump into Jackie at an East Marshall event it you could count on it like clockwork.

Jackie:  "I need to get you called."

I just smiled... knowing full well she knew she NEEDED to... but she just didn't really WANT to.

Finally the follow up phone call came in late August and I checked when brother Jake's session was a year ago just as a point of reference.   And when it became clear that the same exact date was available, she jumped on it.

She could deny it no longer... her baby girl was going to have to be photographed.  :)

And just like a year ago, the Pippins had done an extensive amount of planning for the day.   The kids know what they want... and they aren't afraid to put in extra effort to get it done... even if it means Dad had to be recruited to come along to help this time around.

I've known Robb for several years now, so I knew he was a funny guy... but about half-way through the session after about the tenth hilarious sarcastic retort, I told the girls that there could be no doubt as to where Jake got his sense of humor. 

In addition to Robb's entertainment, he was also the hired "muscle" for the day as the Pippins quite literally MOVED in when the arrived that morning.

(Did I mention that I was told that Sarah would be there for her session an hour early... only for it to end up about 20 minutes early?... Most would call it running behind... But I knew better... I think Jackie had locked Sarah in her room and wasn't going to let her leave!  Yep... more denial)

Alas, they did arrive and in came the STUFF.   Cheer poms, golf clubs, bake ware, posters, signs with numbers on them, chef's hats, inspirational signage, the prerequisite myriad of outfits and even a full sized purple DOOR.  (more on that later)

So, it was clear... my marching orders were set... time to get to work covering all the Pippin Particulars.

The first order of business was a trip to the Tama/Toledo Country Club to cover all things golf.  We followed that up with a visit to the newly renovated football/track complex at East Marshall.   A Mustang Cheerleader, it only made sense to get out on the field for some images... except for the fact that all the gates were locked in anticipation of the top surface on the new track being laid down in a day or two.   That meant the photographer, cheerleader and father of cheerleader had to get over the chainlink fence.   Let's just say that THAT was an adventure... and fortunately all reproductive organs were spared.

After that we were off to the Pippin residence to hit a few areas we did a  year ago.   Their property borders the winding Iowa River and after a half mile trek through muddy terrain... we got Sarah her sandy shots in her white dress.   In drier conditions a year ago, Jackie was right out there with us... this year?   Dad's department. 

Nevertheless, Mom did get to see what touches her heart the most before we went river hiking.   The Pippin Pasture (where I had photographed big family groups several years ago) is home to many parties and family memories.   What better place then for Sarah to pay tribute to both of her grandfathers?   The image holding the rose momento that was given to her by her Grandpa Pippin before he passed two years ago, and shortly thereafter, Sarah held her Papa Max's Bible in a moving image decorated by her requested Romans 8:28.  It's never easy losing loved ones... especially when they happen one right after the other in a short amount of time.   And even though it's been a couple of years now... I could feel how much everyone there still misses those influential men.  Some may claim that it's sad that the Grandpa's will never see Sarah's senior pictures, but make no mistake, their presence was shining down on us in that pasture.

Another trip to Tama/Toledo was in order to allow Sarah the opportunity to rock her jacket and heels before we returned back to the studio for her flurry of a finish.

Saving many awesome options for the end, we nailed her "2-0-1-5" image of Sarah and all of her "evil twin sisters."   The came all the signs that normally adorn the walls in Sarah's bedroom for inspiration.   The aforementioned purple door had to be worked in as well as Sarah's tribute to her favorite television show.   For those of you that remember Monica's door from the wildly popular sitcom, that's the look she was going for.   Robb had wondered why he had to paint his daughter's door purple back in the day... and September 16, 2014 was the day that the images would be captured in order to show the rest of the world that Sarah is not just your everyday fan of Friends.

Last but not least, we had to pay tribute to Miss Pippin's love of baking.  As a local champion competing for East Marshall in the Cupcake Wars held annually at MCC as part of the "Spring Extravaganza" that pits local students in various business, family and consumer sciences, and industrial tech competitions.   While her school has struggled in many athletic arenas of late, folks at Marshalltown, BCLUW, GMG and WM can only WISH they could bake like Pippin and her Mustang baking teammates.  :)

The day ended fittingly with Sarah coating the camera room floor in flour with her face covered in the stuff and her adorable chef's hat flopped to her left.   I gave Jackie a refresher on pricing and what they ordered a year ago, and after another full day... with a warble in my voice I thanked the Pippins... as my friends... for choosing my studio again.   They told me that they wouldn't have it any other way.

And just like Jake's session a year ago... it was hard not to go way overboard after being given so many ideas that they were clearly passionate about.   So here's a ton of artwork, Team Pippin... I, too, wouldn't have it any other way.