I've known Clayton and his family for awhile. His older sister, Ashley, is my little sister's best friend. She's basically my adopted sister. I was able to take her senior pictures, Clayton followed suit and had his taken by me as well! When Kathleen and I started planning out the shoot, she asked if blossoms would be too "girly" for Clayton. We decided that we could make them manly. (Especially since that's what Kathleen wanted and Clayton couldn't care less about his senior pictures) Well, believe it or not, about a week before we were scheduled to take Clayton's pictures at the capital in full bloom, Kathleen called me. Apparently the men in the family had decided to have an opinion and were convinced that Clayton needed a more "manly location" with "logs and rocks and a river." I had a feeling this might be the case and had a back up location planned in my mind; Storm Mountain Park! I filled Kathleen in on it and we agreed that it was indeed a, "manly location." 

     We carpooled up the canyon together and were so happy to see we had the place all to ourselves - save a few hikers. Normally I really stress the need to consult me with guy senior's outfit choices. Kathleen had told me that Clayton was very good at dressing himself, so I didn't bother doing an outfit check before the shoot. Clayton nailed it. We took mission pictures first, and his suit flowed so well with the rocks, it was like a dream! I didn't think it could get better on that misty day, but then he put on a burgundy shirt that pulled the reds from the rock perfectly! His green was excellent with the distant pine and his classic lettermen's sweater looked good in the April mountains. Needless to say, I was one happy photog. As we walked around and shot, I was exceptionally happy to find a log, with some rocks near a river. The ultimate "man location" according to the Blood men. As we neared the end of the shoot, I had Kathleen step in to get a few "mother-son" shots. It was such a tender moment between the two. Especially with Clayton currently on his LDS mission. I loved shooting these manly senior and missionary pictures!