Whenever clients take the opportunity to use their own beautiful land for their photo sessions in and around Colorado Springs, I know the results will be so special.
After all, your home reflects YOU and the life you live, the beautiful surroundings you see every day, your own special memories. A couple of years ago, Sean's mom Kelly asked me to do her high school senior photos at their beautiful Black Forest property. Four years before that, I photographed her older brother Patrick there as well. Now, Sean has completed her Vet Tech school and is starting her first real, full-time job as an adult! I've known Sean since she was a very young girl. It's been an absolute delight to see her reach all of these milestones over the years, and her high school and vet tech graduations are particularly inspiring and memorable for all that she has achieved, because Sean has also endured a tremendous amount of heartache.
When Sean was about to start high school, her brother Patrick, who had just graduated, was in a motocross accident and passed away after being in a coma for three weeks. His passing was absolutely devastating to his entire family, even with the rock-solid support they received from their Pine Creek High School family (especially their band family), their church family, and the Black Forest community. Patrick left a hole in his family and their hearts that can never be filled, even as time eases the pain slightly. In the last few years Sean has also lost two beloved grandparents. Her Grandma Vera's beloved black cat, Pippin, now lives with Sean's family and has found comfort in them as he, too, grieved the loss of a loved one. Sean's loving arms have been the perfect place for him to heal and find belonging.
Sean has absolutely found her element as a vet tech. She gets to help animals, which she loves, and also help their people. What a joy it was to celebrate Sean's achievement with her, on a beautiful, mild, cloudy Black Forest evening with the wind gently rustling the trees, Sean adorned in fuchsia scrubs (Patrick's favorite color was purple, so these are perfectly fitting). Sean snuggled her family's fur babies, including their collie dog Callie, her cat Crookshanks (whose tail fittingly earned her this name along with her resemblance to the cat from the Harry Potter series), and grandma's cat Pippin. Taking photos with animals is basically the same as taking photos with toddlers - it's not easy! *laugh* but we had so much fun trying to get their attention and playing with them in between shots.
Sean, thank you so much for trusting me with these special memories. It's been such a joy to be a part of you and your family's milestones for so many years and I'm truly honored you asked me back yet again. I know you're going to be a wonderful vet tech and that our community's furry friends are in the very best hands!
