Ok... not really... but for reals... it was getting kind of ridiculous.
Mark and Rochelle Stephens' baby girl, Samantha was forced to schedule... reschedule... and then... you guessed it... reschedule again.
Mother Nature was not very kind to this young lady... but to her credit, she was patient... and now it's finally time to show her the reward.
Her original session was back just a week into the start of her senior campaign. It was August 28th... it was dark... dreary... and raining like it was Seattle.
Undeterred, Team Stephens didn't want to throw in the towel completely and do a wholesale reschedule. After all... older sis, Courtney had Sammie's makeup on point... so why not at least get her indoor done, right?
Right.
For anyone that's been through a session with me, they know that I love to use my 70-200mm lens by standing outside the backdoor of the studio and shooting through the double doors... which works really great.... except for when it's POURING RAIN. Needless to say... I was squeegeeing off my bald dome on a regular basis as I darted in and out of the monsoon to capture our senior guest of honor.
After several hours, it became clear that the radar was not gonna let up from the green BLOB that it had become... so our fate was sealed... it was time to look at the calendar.
And unfortunately... the calendar wasn't kind either.
Nearly a month separated her original session to her second one... and once September 17th rolled around... we were painfully reminded that there are somethings we cannot control again.
We awoke on that Thursday morning to more thunder and lightning and darkness... and while the girls held off as long as they could in hopes that things would turn around... reality set it again... we were gonna hafta take a third stab at this.
As cliches would predict it... the third time was indeed the charm as one week later we finally were allowed to get outside for Sammie's elusive outdoor images. We had clouds again... but no precip this time... and all parties involved were completely good with that.
The first order of business was to photograph at a place that has become near and dear to the Stephens family... The Quakerdale Ranch just west of LeGrand on Highway 30.
One cannot tell the story of the Stephens family without revisiting the loss of their second child, Mason. Most in these parts will never forget where they were on that tragic day in early August 2011 when the news started spreading like wildfire through our small community.
Sammie and Courtney's brother, Mason... was in an accident. And for those reading our blog that are unaware, Mason didn't survive.
Over four years have passed, and while most of us are reminded occasionally with a flyer about a golf tournament or 5K in Mas's honor now and then... to the family... there isn't a day that goes by that they don't think of it.
Anyone of us that has had someone taken from us prematurely... the pain is real... and acute... and deep. The ache never really goes away... One just does the best they can to cope daily.
I've felt like I've put off writing this blog longer than usual because it's the third time I've grieved right along side of my friends... the Stephens... who live just a few blocks away.
I know the ache is still right there as Mama Rochelle told me the back story as to why they ended up at the Wolfe Ranch regularly.
It was two or three months after Mason passed, when, on a Sunday... in the midst of a real inner struggle... the Stephens' were searching and praying for a diversion... something to take their mind off of the heartache... when, like He often does... a sign came to them from above.
Church that morning at the LeGrand Friends Church found special visitor Jennifer Daniel there pleading for help at the Wolfe Ranch... and the Stephens family were moved to step up.
Several years later, they continue to volunteer out at the ranch giving horse riding lessons and helping out when they can... giving them a focus... a purpose... a way to give back in a way that their country boy son would love.
So, when Samantha and Rochelle asked me to shoot out there at Quakerdale... I knew my job was to not just make memories of Sammie... but to honor Mason one more time.
When Sammie's mom showed up after her East Marshall bus route at the ranch and hugged Jennifer for a prolonged embrace... I knew why.
While most of us have moved on, it was clear to me when I set Mason's hat, boots and gloves up as a tribute to Samantha's brother... and set Sammie down beside them... the silent countryside could not hide Rochelle's tears... and a result... mine either.
Senior sessions aren't supposed to be this deep... and I would like to think that all the Stephens family will have some fond memories of Sammie's experience(s) with our studio. But at the same time, I want them to know that I haven't forgotten... and I cherish the opportunity and trust they put in me... and that I hope in some small way I've helped them to heal.
God Bless you, Mark, Rochelle, Courtney and Samantha. Thanks for allowing me to laugh about the old days... and to catch up on the new.
See you when I see you.
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