It’s not often I meet someone that I’m taller than, but I was taller than this senior guy – when he was five! I may have continued being taller than him for a few more years, but we moved overseas for several years and I lost track of the height comparison. Let’s just say the phrase, “by leaps and bounds” is not an understatement when it comes to his growth since I saw him last! It felt like I went through a time warp!

As always, I sit down and have a complimentary consultation with the family to get to know them better and customize their session. At the beginning of the consultation with this family, this senior guy was dutiful, to say the least. I felt like I was digging in clay trying to get something out about him. Most of the time it was his parents prompting him with, “You like…” and “What about…” Don’t get me wrong, he wasn’t rude in the least bit! I just hadn’t found what made him tick yet. And then I asked the question that brought life into his eyes.

Gathering that he didn’t want to talk about himself or school much, I turned the conversation to plans after high school. After all, even in my 40’s I remember senior-itis all too well! He had plans (and a scholarship!) to go to Grace College and run for their athletic teams! Oh! Do you like running? (This always intrigues me because it just seems like a form of prolonged torture to me.) Yes. Firmly. Soundly. Without a doubt. Yes. I suggested we do some of his pictures on the high school track then. Something else changed when I mentioned the track. He sat up. He leaned forward. He almost started to say something. He glanced sideways at his parents. And the master plan began.

Only the runners and fans of the summer Olympics may know what the title of this blog post refers to, and why on earth this kid is wearing really REALLY short shorts in these pictures. This was something new to me – Steve Prefontaine. Prefontaine was a middle and long-distance runner who set all kinds of crazy records and ran in the 1976 Olympics. He inspired a craze back then, and his reputation continues to stir a craze even now. He wore a t-shirt with a stop sign and the words, “Stop Pre”. Replicas are conveniently sold on Amazon. Thus the sideways glance at his parents. Could he buy that t-shirt for this session?

A t-shirt got the conversation rolling, and we ended up with a plan for the whole session quickly after that! Clean, modern architectural lines, outdoor beauty, and a handlebar mustache to go with the t-shirt. Even before his mom saw the pictures, she was giving me recommendations on Facebook for turning this senior session into something her son looked forward to and had a great deal of fun with. What can I say? I love my job – and its my clients and consultations like this that make it so great!

Speaking of my clients, this senior guy could be the poster child for humility, hard work, and determination. He puts 110% effort into his academics and his sports, and humbly enjoys the success this effort brings. He is sought after, as he is a fiercely loyal friend, and his willingness to go the extra mile for his family is honorable. He enjoys the antics of his mom and the ornery humor of his father. Being the oldest of three siblings (currently all in high school), he quietly suffers through their antagonistic ploys, knowing they have his back if he called on them. Seriously, I’m not sure he knows just how great he is! I think he just sees the challenge before him and figures out how to face it down, completely unaware that he’s doing anything extraordinary. If he can carry on with the poise and sense of humor I tapped into during his senior session for the next “race” of his life, then this kid is going to set records of his own! Soon we’ll all be wearing t-shirts commemorating him!

Thanks for reading! This is just one of my ways of putting a smile back in the world!