It's so crazy to think that Zachary Noles is officially a high school graduate. Last Thursday he had the pleasure of walking across the stage and receiving his diploma, officially signifying his graduation. In a year of absolute craziness, it was so wonderful to see something so traditional to end the school year. But another reason I can't believe that Zachary's graduated is that he is the last of the Noles children in nearly 20 years to attend school in Pattonville. I'm friends with Zachary's oldest brother Andew (who I went to high school and college with) and it's crazy to think that I've met Zachary on many occasions, including right around the time he would have been starting kindergarten, and now he's headed to college. It's so amazing to get to have this opportunity to photograph this session for him and his family.
Despite this blog going up after his graduation, we did get Zachary's senior pictures taken before his official graduation ... we took them the Sunday after his last day of school (which was the Friday before) but before graduation (the Thursday after). It was a crazy time, between end-of-the-year festivities and a crazy schedule for his volleyball team (which we'll get into more later). We spent some time at a local park and then went down to Main Street St. Charles area to mix up the look a bit. What I think I love most about these images from Zachary's session is how much of him and his interests really came through.
Zachary has volleyball in his veins. Many of his family members are involved in the sport, between coaching, reffing and playing, from his grandma to his mom to his older sister (whose wedding we photographed almost two years ago). And Zachary has volleyball skills. He plays on both a club team and as a member of his high school team. The Pattonville Pirates were undefeated in the regular season and were district champions and made it all the way to the state semifinals. We wanted to be sure to represent both teams during his senior session, so we have him in both his Pattonville and his club gear. In the fall, Zachary will be attending Missouri Baptist University, where he has signed to play volleyball.
Another interest of his is fishing, so we drove out to Frontier Park along the Missouri River. I had no idea that you could get so close to the water, but it was so worth it! Zachary came prepared with this fishing line and even cast into the water a few times (I really hope I'm using the correct terminology!). And, according to his mom, he is the fisherman of the family, so these felt incredibly nature and normal, and I love that we got to include this area of interest into his pictures.
It was a pleasure spending the evening with Zachary and his mom and am so glad we could do this session before he graduated. Congratulations on your graduation Zachary, and the best of luck at MBU and beyond!