Barefoot Hotdog

What the heck is a "barefoot hotdog"? Well that would be a talented teenager who can waterski barefoot and be a hotdog (aka one-handed hot shot) while doing it!

Love this kid! 

This is Baby Aiden ... aka One of My Waterski Boys ... aka About to Start His Senior Year!

Had such a fun photo shoot tonight for senior portraits. Obviously senior pictures have moved way beyond the traditional one pose in a studio! I had the pleasure of capturing his brothers' photos and his sister's. And now it's his turn.

Of course I took some nice "portraits" but we also needed some action shots.

Beautiful night for a boat ride! Had to make sure we were facing away from the "backlit" sun while going over waves and holding my camera steady enough to capture some action shots of flips and other tricks. Looks relaxing but it was challenging that way. Can't wait to look at all the images, but I knew I for sure got that good barefooting one!

Afterward, on the way home, the sunset colors off the lake continued to be amazing in the woods, too. Just a treat for sunrise/sunset-loving me! Absolutely no filter or photo editing here! Additionally, I will not disclose if I trespassed to find a good angle. Sorry, town of Rome!

May we all find delight in childhood/teenager enthusiasm and the beautiful colors, textures, and waves in nature!

 

2026 Vibes

Every time I shoot graduation ceremony pictures at Assumption it hits me different for different reasons. A lot of times it's the kids. And sometimes it's the date.

Obviously, tonight my first concern was for the janitor who will have to get those streamers off the ceiling beams and fans! Crazy kids.

While I adore many of the graduates, just the words "class of 2026" are jolting for me.

That means our baby, who graduated from Assumption in 2016, will have a 10-year class reunion this year! Wow. That also means his mama, who graduated from Luck in 1986, will have 40-year class reunion this year. Ugh. Why did I start this conversation????

I think I'll go back to editing and uploading pictures. Part of me wanted to go down memory lane. The other part said... ewww. Just stop. LOL.

I hope to post the ceremony pictures tonight yet! Go Royals!

Hidden Talents

My first hidden talent today was learning that I am a "good bleeder"... this is after a simple finger prick that turned into a good half hour of "bleeding out" (in my dramatic opinion) and hoping not to faint just to test our cholesterol and all that jazz for a work health program.

Thankfully some old friends had my back and I survived mostly unscathed except for a little down time on a couch in a lactation room (all these things exist in today's corporate America) and some stomach upheaval. 

Still waiting for my gold star for being such a great and generous bleeder!

After work, it was a bee line to Robinson Park for Senior Night for our Lady Royals. Every time I think I'm 100% aging out of this school, I think of the current squad that moves my heart with their hearts of dedication and hard work for Assumption. Congrats, Ari and my R sister. I will miss the heck out of you!

After that, I was able to finally stop at soccer a bit so I could get some pictures to Mr. Yearbook. That was a little bit more affirming that we are getting old and don't know most of these "young kids" anymore. Still, was fun to see.

Then, while I was editing and uploading photos tonight I hear some very young voices and realize we are watching our youngest next-door neighbors for a spell because of a sort of family emergency. Their hidden talents: Endless energy!

I realize we really don't have any toys around here any more. But we may have turned them into zombies by the time they left. Side note: I'd give anything for the energy of a 3-year-old. Wow. 

Good thing I don't have to set an alarm tomorrow! 

We're All Seniors at Some Point

Tonight was Senior Night for our Lady Royals basketball squad. They've been fun to watch in various sports over the years and a few of them, I took their senior pictures.

So after I took pictures of them tonight introduced with their parents tonight, one of them came over to me with flowers. FOR ME!

I was so surprised and touched. And when I got home, I realized the "thank you" card was signed by all 5 seniors. That really touched my heart. I mean I love taking pictures, but I never know in this digital age how much it matters to this generation.

And technically, I am a SENIOR but not in the way I like to acknowledge. So yay, Senior Night!

What I do promise... is that I'll try my hardest to keep these tulips alive and thriving because, honest to God, it's not every day that people appreciate this little photography skill. I already told hubby he's off the hook for Valentine's Day. He can't top flowers on behalf of 5 people.

Or can he? 💜

TGIX

TGIX? Well that means its XC or cross country day! Actually, just a normal Friday with an afterschool cross country photo shoot of our amazing seniors. Gotta admit, it was a hoot!

And taking pictures outside meant I could just click and not worry where my next cough would land. Also good that another day into recovery meant fewer coughing spells anyway.

Mostly I was surprised that many of these super YOUNG LADIES were actually seniors now. I hate when time sneaks up on me like that. But I also was incredibly happy to see them not shy at all about showing off their personalities. 

Thank you, class of 2026 leaders for reminding me why I appreciated so much that my son was in cross country and we created amazing bonds as parents and fans!

Well, Doggone!

I've taken senior portraits with family pets on many occasions. Sometimes they are as big as a horse (and actually are a horse) and many times all sizes of dogs. And doggone, but dogs are cute. And just like the "stock photo" above, get them to open their mouths and it's like they're smiling! 

As part of tonight's photo mission, the mom wanted me to replicate this picture or at least something similar for comparison's sake after many years.

I think Dude (love that name) cooperated pretty well, don't you! 

It was a fun evening and it was cloudy so I never had to address any sun squinting or extra shadows! 

What I learned the other night with hoops pictures of J is that she can't hold a serious, non-smiling look to save her life. She breaks into a giggle and even more smiles. Oh to be young and filled with joy.

Or just be more like a dog and think "You said my name! I must smile! Yes, I'm panting and I have terrible breath, but you're looking at me! Saying my name again! Yay! Joy!"

🐶🐕🐶🐕

Photo Side Effects

As I was walking to and from meetings at work today I notice my thighs, my quads, whatever you call them, were a bit tender. I'm like "What the heck? I haven't been doing squats or anything, but it feels like it!"

Guess what? I HAVE been!

Three nights in a row of photo shoots. And three nights of literally SQUAT-ting down to be eye level with my subjects!

I finally put 2 and 2 together... and also realized, holy hell, I am so out of shape!

Tonight I was hoping a few more reps (well, many more) would make my body think this was normal and not to react with pain or discomfort. Did it work? I guess we'll see tomorrow. In the meantime, I took a preventative (??) magnesium pill and am willing to go through the pain. 

I only viewed a random 3 photos (out of hundreds) from my photo card of tonight's shoot and they're all fabulous.

I love having a girl who just wants to be super model from the get-go and is super cooperative. We had so much fun and I can't wait to sift through them all! Since I have one more shoot tomorrow night, I might just take Friday off to soak it all in, sift it all out, and give the moms (and some dads – and some seniors) their previews. 

It might physically hurt me to do this sometimes, but I love it!

Facing My Fears

Who knew that this year's senior portrait sessions would make me face some of my fears? But I have netted good results as a result of this bravery.

Last evening I bravely climbed a 12-foot step ladder to shoot from above the basketball rim. And it was gold!

Lot's of deep breathing exercises with that one and perhaps some old-fashioned Lamaze breathing for good measure.

This evening, emboldened by my realization that heights don't automatically kill you, I walked on this old elevated railroad bridge and caught a great silhouette of one of our best hoops players at Assumption. After that, I literally did some rock climbing by the river for another set of shots. I'm either brave or stupid. But I survived. And the customer will be happy in the end.

I cannot wait to go through all the frames of these kiddos (OK, close to adults) but I've got two more nights of sessions before I'll have time. 

I love this time of year. I love putting these young people in their best light. Even if they didn't know it existed. 

And heck, look at me all brave and stuff! Personal growth for the win!

Check Out The View

 

As our city's main paper mill continues to be dismantled, there are fewer and fewer "towers" in "Grandpa's castle." I thought most of the big ones were down until I caught sight of this tonight after senior portrait session from down river.

For my hubby's family anyway, it will continue to be a part of their history until it's completely gone.

So crazy when we think that 20 years ago there would ever be a day people didn't need paper versions of everything. Or for our livelihood, that people would ever need an alternative news source than their newspaper on their doorstep every morning.

Unreal.

As for today, I was happy to catch this view after a rushed "beat the thunderstorm" senior portrait session. And earlier today, a nice church worship in the park that also timed out perfectly to rain happening when we were in the shelter. 

Mother Nature is fickle, but some days she allows me to do what I need to do. Thanks, lady!

Every Layer is Packed

 

If I sleep fast tonight, scrapbooking camp will be here before I know it! And I am ready. I have everything packed and even whipped together a Chocolate-Peanut Butter Trifle to bring along.

I took a break from packing and went to the first half of the girls basketball game. It was senior night so I wanted to watch at least some of the game against Stratford. We also had two girls reach 1,000 career points tonight. This team (this No. 1 ranked team) is on fire! Perfect timing going into the playoffs.

Got home and got a few pictures edited but the rest will have to wait. I need decent sleep tonight since I'll get very little the next 3 nights. But you won't hear me complain about that!

Also, hubby is home from his brief trip so I better talk to him before we're separated again for a few days. And keep an eye on him and that trifle. It looks too good to ignore!

Sweat dreams!

Paid-For-Views

It just happened that I could head up north to a park in the Wausau area this afternoon instead of watching the Vikings fall like leaves to the Lions. I always say it's good to keep a team humble. But a last-second field goal is painful when we usually just lost it ourselves by missing one. Well done, Detroit.

I arrived at Bluegill Bay County Park early enough to scout out the location and see fall colors. Totally peaking in the Wausau area!

I also saw a blue heron in the distance and managed to find a trail through the woods to sneak up on it for a photo.

If you know me, you gotta question how I kept quiet enough about ANYTHING to be sneaky. But I did. Literally, my only victory of the day.

That and getting paid to be there (ha) to take senior pictures of my friend Becky's son who I've known since birth and still think of him as a 10-year-old delivering me a Shamrock Shake at Camp Crop-A-Lot!

I hope to look through the pictures tonight but I am flying to San Diego in the a.m. (for work) and really need to be sound asleep at 8 p.m. to get 8 hours of sleep tonight. The positive, is that the weather out there should be just like today's glorious Wisconsin temps of the mid-70s or so. 

It'll be just like home. Only slightly different views, fall colors, and birds.

Have a great week!

Cheers to TGIF

It's been quite a busy week at work while we "work" to have fun for our United Way campaign. One of the fundraisers was "Send a beer and a smile" so people could give someone a Point Rootbeer and smiley cookie.

Two very nice people sent me beers and smiles. So I got a tasty cookie for breakfast yesterday! Feeling the love.

Speaking of love... after worked I raced down to Rapids so I shoot some pictures of our Lady Royals tennis team. It was Senior Night so I got there in time for that anyway, and the first love-love serve! 

From there I headed down to the Lake Camelot area to take some senior pictures. This handsome young man also happens to be on the Shermalot Waterski Show Team I photograph. So it was no surprise that after a few "land shots," we were in the boat!

That was so fun to see him show off his bare-footing skills! Fun. 

I even got a bare-footing father-son duo photo!

I think ON THE WATER is my favorite new photo shoot location. Just sayin'!

Maybe we all be in for some this weekend!

Weekend Snapshot

I just realized I haven't blogged since Thursday night. I'll give you a hint what's been taking up my time. Yup, 5 photo shoots.

Initially, hubby was going to be out of town on a golf trip so I figured I'd set things up this weekend so I could be free next weekend. Well, they ended up not going. So I still didn't see much of him – thanks to my schedule. 

The good news: 11 senior sessions are done and only 4 more to go! 📸

And some random pictures mixed in...

Like this cute cow / bull guy in the field near my picture taking yesterday.

He really wanted his picture taken – and to reach over the fence to help me take mine. Harmless but slightly pushy. Ha.

This morning I took pictures for our church and our annual God's Work, Our Hands work day – doing everything from cleaning gutters at some elder members' houses to packing up Lutheran World Relief school kits and quilts to painting at local elementary schools. It's always a productive morning of putting faith into action. I'm will to break a sweat, but with two black thumbs, they definitely trust me more with a camera than a set of garden shears!

After that and a senior shoot today, I stopped at our Downtown Grand Affair craft/vendor sale and classic car show. Why would I go there when the Vikings were playing at noon?

Because even though the Packers already played this weekend, the TV idiots decided to air the Bears game here instead! So I know we won. But it sure would've been fun to see our new QB and other new players in action. 

I already lost my fantasy matchup so I'm glad there was something wonder-SKOL happening at least!

This evening we had what feels like the 5th funeral / visitation this week. A friend of ours, just my age, had been battling ALS and then his heart gave out this week. It was unexpected to happen this quickly. Our hearts break for his dear wife and their family. There must have been 400 people gathered for his celebration of life "party" tonight. What a testament to how many lives Rick has touched with his kindness and positive attitude. I could not stop crying. Uff da.

Afterwards, we grabbed a bite to eat at Sportsman's with two of the other couples that were there. We have to treasure time with friends and loved ones when we can! We just don't know.

Let's have an uplifting week. We deserve it! 💕

This Heat is for the Birds

Late this morning I had a few photo places to scout out for a shoot tonight. I have my "usuals" but when a girl wants flowers, I had to take an area tour. The downtown park flowers aren't looking pretty with this hot weather. And the sunflowers are now past their prime. But guess who still has flowers? Our city zoo!

And when I got there, only the cocky peacock seemed oblivious to the heat. 

And darned if those flowers weren't in survival mode! Hurray!

Later, as the photo shoot approached, I figured we'd all be melting. Then I realized the chick on this app is wearing a long coat when it's 88 degrees and "feels like 95," so what does she know anyway?

And Laura was a tough super model. She handled the heat with poise. Must come from so much of her life in the heat – and on the water as a skier for my Shermalot team!

Which is a good thing, because we ended out evening in a lake. I mean that literally. Since she was standing in the water, I figured I'd joined her. Ooooh, that was pleasant when it was still 83 degrees at 8 p.m.

I just feel blessed that was the only thing I HAD to do.

You know I love the sun and warmth. But after yesterday's nearly 6-hour marathon in the sun, I needed a break. Maybe this heat really is for the birds.

Just not every Robyn bird. 

Be careful out there this week!

A Bit of Corny Fun

There's this unincorporated wide spot in the road that we call Kellner. I didn't know it was so popular until I attended my first Kellner Corn Fest Parade yesterday!

There were people lining both sides of 80th Street/Country Trunk W for the half-mile-ish parade route.

It was fun to see our neighborhood farm and "pumpkin shed" have float. The theme this year was something about the wild west.

Got to see our friend Bob (aka Jingles) – the clown in the middle.

I had to laugh a skeletons representing the beauty of the House of Glam!

Our nephew Colin had his race car in the parade too! His wife and kiddos were throwing the candy.

Colin also delivered a few toy cars to kids in the crowd. That's pretty cool!

On the way home, we just happened to follow our neighbor's float! I don't think seat belts were invented in the old west, so Trevor here is perfectly legal, right?

That was pretty much our excitement for the weekend. Worked on some raffle basket things yesterday. We both had church. I had a senior photo shoot tonight for a boy named Carter – so you have to love him!!

He didn't necessarily love to smile. But I loved the challenge of trying to get him there! I might have used up all my CORNY (to stick with the theme) charming material for the week! Good thing I've got love-to-smile girls in my foreseeable future. 

Though I'm sure Carter had the super model vibe down by the end of our session. Just don't tell his friends!