I went home to visit my family one weekend and I was surprised to find out that I was nominated for Best Photographer! Man, did I feel like a celebrity... I had an idea of who may have nominated me, but was still so joyed to find out that it was in fact the person I suspected.
It seems that my initial photo sessions with my very own siblings kicked things off for me, leading me to my first official customer, Robyn and her son, Ty. Robyn contacted me to see if I could do Ty's high school senior photos and I of course gladly accepted. What I didn't realize was how much this one photo shoot was going to impact me personally and professionally. You see, Robyn had a daughter who sadly passed away a couple years ago MUCH too soon at the tender age of 13. I too, have a younger sibling who I lost too soon so I already held a very special place in my heart for this mother and son duo. I remember being in the local children's clothing store where Robyn works when I was pregnant with my son and the radio in the store was playing the song "If I die young" by The Band Perry and she slipped to the back to turn the song down. It broke my heart. I didn't know her personally then, but I wanted to just go give her a huge hug. The song already makes me cry every time I hear it, but now I will never hear it without thinking of her daughter Tory.
I knew I was going to have a great time when Mr. Ty stepped out of his mom's car with HOT PINK patent leather Nike high tops on! Boy, did this kid have a personality! But I also had an idea to incorporate the infamous spunky teenaged girl who was called to join the angels. I told Robyn to bring a couple of things to put into the pictures with Ty. Robyn brought Tory's last cheerleading picture and a hand colored note that Tory had drawn that simply said "NEVER GIVE UP" in a frame. Wow...what a concept for a young girl to embrace.
Little did I know that this photo would change my life and give me an opportunity to provide people with frozen memories...to talk to people...to help people...to do something that I love. This one little picture...
A few days ago I got a message from Robyn letting me know that she was the one who nominated me for the Best of the Best. I, of course, gave my sincere thank yous and told her how insane it was that this one picture I took seemed to have had such a strong impact (with hundreds of "Likes" on Facebook and dozens of comments).
Her response to me,
"That pic gives me comfort because my kiddos were back together again."
And THAT is why no matter how great or poor of a photographer I may be or become I will continue to take pictures. Thank you, Robyn and your sweet kiddos.
