Wauwatosa West class of 2024 | David | november
Did you miss Part 1 of David’s senior photos? We went out to Jacobus Park in September of his senior year and took some perfectly simple, totally HIM portraits.
In this edition of David’s Senior Photos, it’s a literal What NOT To Do Guide.
Fast forward to November - because that’s what happened. I have no understanding or memory of October and we never went out for his Month #2 session. Life happened. School, college applications, work… it all happened.
In fact, I asked him to pick his yearbook photo (which was due soon) from the set of photos we had taken in September. His answer was so sweet but also alarming, based on the late date….
… he said he wanted to be a little more dressed up for his yearbook photo than a hoodie. Impressive thought process for a teenager, right? But the deadline was approaching.… and there was NO WAY I would be one of those late parents, with my tail between my legs. Absolutely NOT.
The following tale is for entertainment purposes only. I do not recommend cutting it this close. Yes, NOW it’s a funny story. But at the time, I was seriously worried we wouldn’t make it.
Between my chaotic calendar and his busy schedule (and the weather, there’s always that), we literally couldn’t find an hour to go out for some “nice” photos. Also, he DESPERATELY needed a haircut.
Repeat, repeat, repeat.
Then it was Wednesday and yearbook photos were due Friday.
(Insert nervous perspiration.)
We couldn’t get him in for a haircut at our usual salon so we begged our way in to a last minute appointment at a new place, taking on a new hobby of PRAYER on the way over.
Let me be clear, I DO NOT RECOMMEND A HAIRCUT MINUTES BEFORE YOUR PHOTOS. Especially if you’ve never been to that salon before. (OMG.) Luckily, they did a fantastic job.
Breathing resumes. Boy, that could have been the worst, stupidest, dumbest mistake we ever made.
David requested a certain park, so we drove over, which also allowed for his hair to dry. (Seriously, I cannot make this up.)
Another twist to keep in mind, this all took place after school and it was November, so it started getting dark early. We walked to the area he had picked out, and I happily unpacked my gear. In my head, I’m calming down, easing into the fun part. We had some beautiful golden light from the setting sun….
NO MEMORY CARD.
No memory card in my bag.
No memory card in my pocket.
WHAT ON EARTH????
Well, lucky for me, I had an Emergency Memory Card in my car (smartest photo tip EVER), I literally RAN the half mile back to my car, retrieved the card, and ran the half mile back to David.
It’s getting darker.
I’m gasping for air, freaking out - yet laughing hysterically and somehow practically crying simultaneously - and just shaking my head at the whole situation. It was literally the LAST moments of daylight on the LAST day we could possibly take his photos.
Well, we got it done. I collapsed when we got home, laughing and relieved and just glad to have survived what really didn’t need to be THAT stressful. I always say there is no photo emergency… well, now I can tell you, we were on the verge of one.
Now please enjoy the most stressful (and comical) set of photos I’ve shot in a long time. lol
And kids, don’t try this at home.
november | HIDDEN LAKE PARK
In this first photo, you can see just a hint of “mom, are you gonna be ok?” in his eyes.
This was David’s selection for the yearbook. WINNER!
Stay tuned for the next set of photos…. Yes there’s more! I promise there will be no wild goose chase involved.
Don’t do as I did - PLEASE plan ahead! I’m now booking CLASS OF 2025 senior sessions. We still have lots of time before school starts, so let’s get it scheduled while we can.
