I don’t know what’s more difficult to believe: that the baby of the family is nearing 6′ tall or that he is an up-and-coming senior! John had just finished finals and was packing for Boys State, but with oral surgery set for the day after his return (and the high probability of chipmunk cheeks), we had to get a jump on his portrait session. It had poured rain at our house just an hour before we set out for the Nisqually Wildlife Refuge, so we weren’t sure what we were in for. The skies cleared, though, and it turned out to be a great evening. 
I love this first image. The boardwalk disappearing into the trees makes me wonder where life’s journey will take him.
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My mom has called John her “deep thinker” for years now, and although he often wears a serious expression, it doesn’t take much to coax a smile out of him. He’s navigated some tough times that left their mark. Experiences change you, but you have the ability to decide how to go forward because of them. He emerged a much stronger person with a firm faith and core set of values from which he doesn’t deviate.
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There it is! He has an awesome, genuine smile.
While a portrait session is never on his top 10 list of things to do, I won him over by listening to his ideas, promising to keep it short, and not fussing over wardrobe. We were stationed in the midwest, and you’ll recognize the saying, albeit with my personal twist: “you can take the boy out of Oklahoma, but you can’t take Oklahoma out of the boy.”
I’m a little biased, but my goodness, those blue eyes!
I’m positive that he is contemplating life’s big questions here, not wondering if I’ve taken enough pictures.
The sun was still pretty high at this point, but John wanted to get this shot before we called it a night. I’m glad we went for it!
Once John recuperated from oral surgery, we set out to shoot round 2 of his senior session. We have strong military ties in our family, and it was important to John to incorporate his deep appreciation of the service into his portraits. JBLM was his location of choice, and these gorgeous brick buildings make Ft. Lewis one of the nicest posts I’ve been to.
The main Chapel is another post treasure. It is beautiful inside and out.
We finished off the evening with that beautiful golden light we are so lucky to enjoy here during the summer months. I have the feeling this school year is going to fly by! John, I wish you every blessing as you enter your senior year of high school and begin to navigate the big life decisions before you. You always have our love and support.
