Kristin Graduates =) 6/19/08

As I walk through the day to day aspects of life I forget the value of stopping on occasion to take in the scenery and reflect on where I'm at. Relatively of course, where I'm at in life, the people in my life and sometimes just where I'm at... Today my baby graduates High School. It really didn't hit me until last night. I was writing out one of her cards and a myriad of emotions and memories hit me like the weight of dry heat on a scorching summer day. I got really emotional as my eyes welled up with tears. The comprehension that my beautiful baby girl has grown into such a lovely young woman and is graduating, soon to be 18 and driving. The time has gone by without so much as a blink or a warning. I really believe that we should have life warnings. You know maybe Steve Jobbs can program them into our ipods or iphones. Just little warnings like - Hey now would be a good time to hug your kid or yo, make sure you eat dinner together tonight or stop holding her hand she's 17 and can cross the street on her own... Seriously though, a little warning would sure help us out from time to time and serve as reminders that whether you want it to or not, life happens. So here's to you Kristin! To the child that you were and to the woman that you are becoming! I love you and am so very proud of you and no matter what path you choose to travel you will always find my support whether it be in mind, body or spirit. Enjoy these days sweetie pie they only come around once.

Kristin "The Senior Session"

After much prodding Kristin finally let me shoot her senior session. I've found it to be increasingly more and more difficult to photograph her as time ticks on. You think it would be easy, after all I've been taking her pictures for 17 years now give or take a month or so. It seems like as she gets older it's become harder to direct her in a shoot. She has her own ideas and inspirations on how to project an image. So as her mother it's a daunting task to try and capture the essence of who I think she is. Maybe that was my problem. Do we really ever know our kids? I asked myself this question and I came to the realization that at her age I don't think I knew what I really wanted to do therefore I can't imagine my parents knowing "me" at that stage. The only thing I know for certain is that at I love her more than life itself as cliche' as that statement may be. It's true and I'm sure those that have experienced parenthood will concur and for those of you yet to, well it's a safe bet that you will as well.

We agreed that for this shoot she would be a willing participant and I would be a photographer. I think we both did well in sticking to our plan! I had such a great time that day and it reassures me that all things are cyclical. How ironic it is that we teach and guide our children from birth to learn and grow and become independent so that they don't need us only to end up wanting them to need us....

Here are a few of my favorite shots.

Introducing "The Girl"

Kristin was about 12 years old when "the girl" appeared on the scene. I vaguely remember the conversation but it went something like this..."Kris do you have my 5 dollars? No, the girl has it. Well can the girl give it to me? No, she's in Florida picking oranges." I was perplexed but soon discovered that "The Girl" would appear and disappear convenient to chores, infractions and mystery issues. "The Girl," well she's quite the jet setter and I think Kris enjoys contriving stories about where the girl is and why certain things go undone.

On another note I am so HAPPYYYYYYYYY! Kris got her first job! Yay! I'm so proud of her. We did a mock interview and I was amazed at how articulate she is. She beat out 18 other applicants and for her very first interview ever this is quite an accomplishment. She loves fashion, hair, make-up etc... So having a job is essential. Besides I think she needs the character and discipline that only a manager not a mother can give her. Kudos to Kristin and the start of her life in the workforce!