Archie at 17; A Forever Friends Senior Session in Columbus Ohio
Archie was 17 when he had his Forever Friends Session at Homestead Park in Hilliard, just outside Columbus, Ohio. Victoria called me and requested one last session with her boy. He wasn't doing well and she wanted his precious memories, exactly as he was, at this moment, snuggled up with the people who loved him most. So that’s what we did. No rushing, no posing, just Archie doing things his way, like he always had.
Some Sessions Mean More Before They Even Start; Archie’s was one of them.
His mom and I did our very first session together back in 2014. After that came Christmas session after Christmas session, year after year. Archie was one of my all-time favorite posers. He also had a little fire in him, and some days he made me work like a dog (no pun intended!). He was just the most adorable guy with his very own little agenda, and I loved every minute of it.
I got to watch that sweet face go silver over the years. And I got to watch him and his mom grow closer and closer.
A few years back, his family grew too. Brian came into their world and Archie got a dad who adored him. You could see it the second Brian picked him up. He cared so deeply for that little guy, and it was evident in everything he did.
This time his mom knew exactly what she wanted. Just Archie, as he was. And his people, right there with him.
Archie Ran the Show, Like Always
We put a blanket down by the pond and let him lead. He settled into his mom’s lap, rested his chin on her hand, and closed his eyes like there was nowhere else in the world he’d rather be. At one point he stood in the tall grass by the water, ears up, checking on everybody. Then right back to her. Always back to her.
Nobody was rushing. He set the speed. He rested when he wanted to, leaned into her the way he always did, and she just got to be with him.
The Photos That Get Me Every Time
There’s one of Archie tucked between his mom and Brian, foreheads touching, his little face right in the middle while Brian kisses the top of his head. I can’t look at it without tearing up. You can feel how much they both loved him.
Then there’s Archie cheek to cheek with her on the bridge, her smile ear to ear. And her hands holding him while he dozed on the blanket.
Nothing staged. Just his mom and her best friend, the way they’d been for years. The weight of him in her arms. Those soft ears. The way he always leaned in.
Two Friends Talking About Dogs
Shortly after our session, his mom stopped by the studio and we just sat and talked, for a long time. It was nice to just stop; and talk. We talked about Archie, about everything he meant to her, the changes she was seeing in him, our sessions together over the years and about what she wanted to hold in her hands when she thinks of him.
I’ll never forget that conversation. Being trusted with this part of their story meant the world to me.
A Few Favorites Over the Years
From that very first session in 2014 through all those Christmases, here are some of my favorite Archie moments.
Archie passed away this October, and my heart just breaks for his family. I know they are feeling such an immense loss right now. A whole lifetime of that sweet face and that little agenda. He was so loved, and he loved them right back.
To his mom and Brian, thank you for letting me be part of his story. I’m sending you so much love.
And Archie, thank you for every single session, even the ones where you made me work for it.
Rest easy, sweet boy. xoxo
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