We did it! It may have taken a couple of obstacles (chemical imbalances in the water, needing to pay for a day pass and an ID, and off-camera flashes not syncing) but we did it! We got into the YMCA’s pool to wrap up Emma’s senior session, and while this facility has great window light at the top levels of the stadium seating, the closer you get to the water, the darker it becomes. I’m getting better at using off camera light sources and I’m thankful I brought two types because one type of my OCF’s weren’t syncing to each other, so I used my light wand instead. It was juuuuust enough for this large of a space! Phew.
Emma has a scarf-worth of medals to display from swimming and her track & field prowess, so we started there and kept them around for most of the time:
This girl has a heart of gold for others and I’m so proud to know her, cheer her on in her events and now, photograph her. At her initial session when we were trying to access the YMCA, she had a CPR mask dangling from her swim bag. I made a comment that it unnerved me a little to see it in a swim setting, but Emma’s mom replied, “Leave it to Emma though. If there’s some kind of an emergency, she’d be there to take care of it.” Judging by how Emma has spent her summer in the service of others with special needs and lifeguarding, my nerves were smoothed out right quick! You definitely want her in the guard chair!
I had an idea I wanted to try and it meant we had to use the YMCA’s shallower pool where the lighting is the worst. But we went with it and I so appreciate Emma’s willingness to try weird things with me and look like a kick-a$$ athlete in the process:
Emma : THANK YOU! I have thoroughly enjoyed watching you grow up from 6th grade to now and crush it on the field or in the pool. But most importantly, I’ve enjoyed watching you serve others and cultivate a love for those who need some extra assistance while sacrificing your comforts. That kind of a heart is something you just can’t teach and I’m eager to see where it takes you after graduation (Univ. of Iowa, perhaps?)
Take care!!
Carrie
