I had a senior session (photoshoot) yesterday that for several reasons should have been a disaster… it rained. A LOT.
My senior is having a major surgery this month so we really couldn’t reschedule either and I was already in their car because we had hoped that we could outrun the rain… it never rains in Fountain when it calls for rain. Well, it rained. And it rained a lot so Laura Principe Johansson (mom) and I drove around thinking what to do.
She mentioned how we could try for Starbucks and worse case scenario is they’ll tell us no, we can’t invade their space.
We drove over in the hurricane wind and rain and she ran in to ask. She says to the guy at the counter… “You can tell me to screw off BUT it’s pouring, my daughter was supposed to have senior pictures outside. She is in a wheelchair, can we just come inside and take some pics?”
We really weren’t sure what they’d say and he replied with “Absolutely!” and offers his umbrella to help us get inside.
Not only offers his umbrella but when Mom went inside to get the umbrella he came outside in the pouring rain to help us get Sydney inside! He isn’t even under the umbrella and trust me, he was soaked through but brought me a dry towel for Sydney.
After getting inside we were greeted with hot chocolates (made with soy milk because they were unsure of allergies… who thinks that far into it?!?! I was blown away with gratitude at this point). Then as we are shooting one of the family members in tow orders food and a drink for her and her son, they denied payment!
Chris (our hero) comes over and asks if there is anything else we need about a dozen times as we are literally moving furniture and talking to other interested and helpful patrons. One customer took some pictures with Mom’s phone… I just can go on for days about this!
But then, Chris comes by and asks if he can make Sydney some signs and pulls out markers and colored paper making her a little backdrop and rearranged some items in the store!!!
Even upon leaving he wouldn’t let us pay for more coffee. We were there a good hour at least, taking up the bathroom as it’s no easy feat to change Sydney and we had several outfits.
There were serious tears from all after taking in everything from yesterday’s senior session. I just wanted her to have the average senior session, like any other girl and instead she got THE RED CARPET in a way I couldn’t have been more proud to be a part of!!!
Thank you from the bottoms of our hearts Chris at Starbucks you deserve an “Awesome Human” award for your kindness yesterday!
About the Author:
JESSICA VALLIA is an award Winning Family Photographer serving all of Colorado and beyond. Jessica Vallia Photography is dedicated to creating Heirloom Portraiture that will last a lifetime on your walls, not just on your social media. This story first appeared on Love What Matters.