With a name that starts with the letter Z, she's probably used to having to wait her turn.
Whether it was getting in line for lunch in elementary school or roll call, or even when it comes time to get her diploma this next spring... with a last name of Zahnd... chances are you're not going ahead of the Andersons, Browns or even the Smiths or Wilsons, for that matter.
Such is life when you're Savannah Zahnd... she's probably used to it. That being said... on one October fall day, it was my job to move her to the front of the line.
Numero Uno... the Top Dog... Head Honcho... The Big Cheese... Priority One. We'd like to think that every senior that goes through the processes at Stewart Photography feels that way... but perhaps this one was even more special.
I had met little baby curly haired Savannah back in 1997 when her extended family came to the studio for visit. It was the first day of November, 1997. Miss Zahnd was not quite 18 months old... yet she already had that trademark spiral brown hair. Her mom and I and her family go WAY back... like all the way to 1st grade back. And I can't be for sure WHEN it happened for the first time, but her mom will be the the first one to admit that it happened regularly.
For you see, Mama Darcy knew what her strengths were... and school wasn't one of them. She DID, however... have an ol' pal that WAS into the school thing. You know... paying attention... doing what the teacher asked... getting homework done... preparing for tests... that kinda thing.
That ol' pal? He's now a photographer. But back THEN... he was a sucker for pretty gal that needed a math answer or two... or three... or four.
Ahem.
Time and time again, she'd ask... and instead of just handing over the answer... I'd try to explain the processes... how I actually GOT to the answer. But, Savannah's mom would just smile... bat her eyes... and then probably punch me in the shoulder and say something like.... "Awww, thanks, B.S. you're the BEST!"
My friend Darcy found a way to get through high school. Probably with more "street smarts" than this naive' boy had at the time, but nevertheless she got through.
So fast forward to the family session, not surprisingly, Savannah took after her folks as was perhaps the most gorgeous baby girl you'd ever lay eyes on. Full of sass, just like mama... it was MY turn to struggle through something... as per usual... when an 18 month old is involved with a family portrait... it's NEVER easy.
But, we got through that as well.
Just a little less than a year later, I was there to photograph the event when Savannah's folks tied the knot. The day before my birthday in 1998, in fact. And once again... if there were ever a prettier little flower girl... I'd like to see her.
Fast forward about sixteen years... and through the miracle of social media, I had remained a fan of Miss Zahnd from afar. I was aware that she had become, among other things, the cutest cheerleader and even the most adorable Rose Festival Queen candidate. My phone at the studio never rang, however... so figuring that a gal in her league certainly wouldn't wait until the last minute to do senior pictures... I assumed that there would be no life goes full-circle reunion.
Silly for me to assume!
While she's isn't the LAST senior to be photographed this calendar year, she was certainly closer to the end than she was the beginning, and somehow... with her propensity to wait to the end of the line like folks with the letter Z at the start of their name, it was fitting.
Nevertheless, I wasn't about to let this little beauty to feel anything less than FIRST on this day.
Mama Darcy and Savannah came in the door... yappin' at each other per usual. I hated to have to interrupt, but there would be NO arguing amongst strong willed women on this day.... oh no... it was time to get our fun on... and that's what we did.
Surprisingly, when I asked Savannah if there were any have-to's that she wanted me to make sure we did for her session... she just shrugged and said... "nope... I trust ya."
:)
With a closet full of awesome clothes in tow, I knew that it meant more to her than just a shrug... so it we were off to set the world on fire.
We bounced from location to location and Savannah just lit it up in every spot. Smiling or a piercing stare... it didn't matter... she made my job easy.
She told me that one day she might end up a dental assistant... but she really didn't know what she wanted to do with her life as of yet. I wondered secretly if she used that adorable mug to get answers at school like her mom did 25 years ago? If she didn't have to... that's great... but a quick glance through the images would tell even a blind man that she has it in her arsenal to be sure.
It was so much fun catching up with the girls... and when we were about done... a little of the old ornery B.S. came out in me. I knew I had a senior wallet somewhere at home of Mama Darcy. I knew she was photographed by my predecessor back in the day here in Montour... and my thought was... Savannah needed to be photographed in the exact same spot. The very last outdoor image we did on this day was right back on John Foley's porch where a gorgeous young lady named Darcy Rook was captured back in 1989. I did dig out that image... and the very last picture on this blog shows you the 25 year span between mother and daughter photographed at the same studio... in the same location.
Things came full circle for sure... And while you might be at the end of the alphabet, Miss Savannah... you get an A from me.
Great to see you both again.
No comments:
Post a Comment