Autumn and I go way back...
Like WAY, WAY, back.
We're talking before the turn of the century, back.
And her mom and I go even further.
Let me explain.
On December 15, 1997, a young business owner was about ready to complete his second full year in business when an old college friend showed up with her baby girl for family pictures.
Just over a year from her November 2, 1996 day of birth, Miss Autumn Arianna was as cute as could be as they braved the cold and snow to come visit me.
Her mom and I caught up a bit from our not-so-old college days at that point, and then the next thing you know... time passed.
And passed.
And passed some more.
Around 16 more trips around the sun occurred, and then on August 23, 2013... Autumn's mom resurfaced on the Stewart Photography radar.
In the form of a facebook message, Mama Dana wanted to know when exactly... or how far in advance should she book her first-born (who was now a high school junior) for this thing we call senior pictures.
I assured her that anything prior to the first of the year would be unnecessary, but her Newton Class of 2015 daughter would be more than welcome to hop on our books once the calendar turned to 2014.
That old clock and calendar rotated and flipped pages some more, and then on July 1, 2014... just as things were starting to ramp up, another facebook message...
"When should we get this booked?"
I ran Autumn's mom through things in a lot more detail at this point, as it was no longer in the It's-A-Long-Ways-Off category. Yet, Dana said she would discuss it with her husband and her daughter, and get back to me.
July turned into September.... the 17th to be exact, and over a year after the initial "reunion" and almost 17 years since I last saw Autumn... she was on the books.
A little over a month later on October 20th... that sweet little baby girl bounced into my studio again... and she had changed... just a little.
In a little dress and heels and ready to turn some heads, our curly-haired little lady was finally back for more... and appropriately enough, the girl named Autumn was being photographed in the season that bears her name.
Predictably, we had to find some golden leaves for her to take advantage of as we bounced around town. Mix that in with a healthy amount of urban looks for our guest of honor who had two looks that were on COMPLETE opposite ends of the spectrum... but both fit naturally into a hit-the-streets session that was almost necessary by the late season waning of outdoor options.
After getting caught up (now that we'd definitely fall into the "old college buddies" category) I learned that Autumn spent some time in Newton... then Urbandale schools through seventh grade and then back to Newton in eighth grade. I learned that Autumn wants to perhaps end up in a psychology field to help those that have had particularly difficult situations... I also found out that her part time job is helping out mom at their family dog grooming business there in Newton. (shameless plug... check out K9 to 5 Boutique if you need your pet groomed or boarded... even guinea pigs are welcome!)
All that being said... all along the way... since she was five years old, the girl loved to run. And while she's done other things in her spare time... cross country is where she finds her happy place.
As the varsity's No. 3 runner for the Cardinals, Autumn just recently wrapped up her high school career, but that was our remaining task yet to be completed on this day. Oh I heard stories about how she had dabbled in track... cheerleading... the sights and sounds of the stage... but when push came to shove, the physical and mental challenge of cross country is what she wanted to document.
I'd be remiss if I didn't mention someone that has always been there for Autumn. I could hear it in her and her mother's voice that when Autumn's biggest fan was brought up, it stirred many emotions.
Grandpa Bob Goodhue, despite having issues with health, has always went out of his way to support his pride and joy. With many obstacles now in his way, he still would find a way to Autumn's meets. And for the lion's share of her life, when there was that unmistakable grin on Miss Hunt's face... chances are, Grandpa Bob had a hand in putting it there. Even though I haven't had the oppotunity to meet Mr. Goodhue, I wanted to make sure that he was given props for making a big difference in this young ladies' life. Bob knew he was called to take a leading role in his granddaughter's life... and he didn't shy away from the opportunity.
The result, in no small way, was that I enjoyed spending time with was has turned out to be a bright, confident and charasmatic young lady that Bob, and everyone who knows and loves her, should be proud of.
Selfishly... do I wish that we could have done more business together over the past seventeen years? Absolutely. But what I will say is that what's happened over that duration of time is resulted in something truly wonderful.
Great job Mama Dana and all the members of Team Autumn... it was a pleasure seeing you again. :)
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