Emma . . .

Introducting Emma volk - class of 2019!

Eighteen years ago we welcomed this beautiful young lady into this world! May is a huge month for this bundle of joy. Today is her birthday, and tomorrow she graduates from high school and has her grad party / open house! Emma has a heart of gold and is the real deal. She loves music; especially indie and alternative. She LOVES Florence and the Machine, Lorde, Taylor Swift, and Matt Maeson just to name a few. Emma’s perfect day is sunny. She’d love to be surrounded by animals, babies, her favorite people, a pool, and lots of laughs! When it comes to school, she finds creative writing and art are her classes of choice. Emma is artistic and loves to dance. When it comes to sports, football and baseball are her faves. It’s the Chicago Bears and LA Dodgers. Justin Turner is her favorite baseball player. Good taste, if I do say so myself!

In the fall, Emma is taking her artistic self to Iowa State University where she’ll major in apparel merchandise and design. After that, she’d like to see what areas outside the midwest have to offer. When it’s time for a meal or snack, Emma likes pasta, pickles, iced coffee, slushies, and anything vegetarian. During her free time, Emma loves to dance, draw, hang out with friends and family, play games, and chill with her dogs; her furry bros. Emma loves her dogs and all animals. And she’s a big fan of Mother Earth . . .

Emma likes poetry, but books; not so much. She does like movies. Some of her faves are Cheaper by the Dozen, classic Mary Kate and Ashley movies, Parent Trap, Mamma Mia, and Legally Blonde. On the small screen, it’s Parenthood, One Tree Hill, Friends, Grey’s Anatomy and New Girl.

Emma - I’d say the world is your oyster, but I know seafood isn’t your thing. So, I’ll say “You got this!” I know you’ll do great things. Congratulations!! Keep being the amazing, beautiful soul you are. All the best at Iowa State and beyond!! I love you and I’m so proud of you!!

Ryan . . .

Introducing Ryan Rochholz – Class of 2019!

April 2019 is Ryan’s 18th birthday month, so we’re celebrating by making him this month’s Senior Spotlight! Ryan will graduate from Alleman High School this year and has his sights set on a degree in law enforcement from Western Illinois University. He’ll start in the fall and will continue to demonstrate his golf prowess as a member of the WIU Leathernecks golf team.

When he’s not golfing, Ryan enjoys fishing, hunting, skiing, and hanging out with family and friends. He’s probably listening to country music, with Blake Shelton being his current favorite. Afterwards he’ll grab a pizza and Pepsi, his go to favorite meal, and will kick back to watch The Ranch or Walking Dead. If it’s movie night, he’ll feast his eyes on The Goonies.

Ryan’s an adventurous type who likes to try new things. On a rainy day, he’ll might be reading Gary Paulson’s ‘Hatchet’ or will take the time to study his favorite school subject; History.

I couldn’t be happier with your Senior Photos, Ryan! Thanks for having Volk Images LLC capture the moment! It was an honor and a pleasure. I know you will do great things on the golf course and in the classroom at WIU. All the best to you on your journey, Ryan!

We’ll leave you with Ryan’s favorite saying . . . “Be OK”. Cheers!

Cole . . .

Introducing cole foreman . . . class of 2019!

Meet Cole! This guy was so fun to work with. Cole’s hope for his Senior photo session was to “capture the emotions and experiences of a fleeting season of my life, so that I can take myself back to this part of my life in fond reflection.” I hope his Senior photos are all he was looking for. In looking back at his photos, I feel great about what we were able to capture. 

I asked Cole what he’d like people to know about him. He stated “I am an individual who cares deeply about the people and the would around me, I see the world in a unique way and am not afraid to share my unique side to the world around me.”

Cole is an avid reader. He reads. A lot. While it was hard for him to pick favorites, he says the 5 books that best represent him as a person are:

1. The Hobbit by J.R.R Tolkien
2. The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand
3. The Bible
4. Clockwork Angels by Neil Peart and Kevin J. Anderson
5. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglass Adams

And music; Cole love’s music! He likes Rock music of all kinds. His favorite all-time band is Rush and, if limited to one song, he’ll likely be listening to the 20-minute epic ‘2112’. Listening to music and hanging out with his closest friends is a perfect day. What’s for lunch while he’s hanging out? Ideally, sushi and a Mountain Dew Baja Blast. When he’s not listening to music, he likes to sing, paint, draw cool stuff, and think about life. And oh, did I mention? He likes to read.

It’s no surprise that he loves choir, his favorite part of the school day, and Show Choir, his sport of choice. When it comes to other sports, he enjoys going to football games and cheering for his beloved Denver Broncos.

When it comes to movies, any Marvel movie is a ‘go to’. Cole also loves the Star Wars and Lord of the Rings franchises. If there isn’t time for a full movie, you might catch Cole taking in his favorite show of all time, Lost, or Stranger Things, which runs a close second. 

After high school, Cole plans to attend either Luther or Wartburg College to major in music performance.

And we’ll leave you with Cole’s favorite quote: The best place to start an adventure is with a quiet, perfect life... And someone who realizes that it can’t possibly be enough. -Kevin J. Anderson

Thank you, Cole, for the honor of capturing your Senior images! It’s been a pleasure. All the best for a fantastic year and continued success between now and 2112.

Connor . . . 

Introducing Connor Beath . . . Class of 2019!

It’s officially September; time for our September Senior Spotlight! This month, Connor is our featured Senior! He’s a talented, handsome young man as you can easily tell from the photos. He loves music; especially any music he can sing really loudly to. Drake and Taylor Swift are his artists of choice.

On summer weekends, you may find him at the lake rafting or jet skiing with his friends. Hot days are best spent in the water drinking Shirley Temples. And if all goes well, he’ll finish off the day by hanging with friends and playing Nitro ball or swimming after taking care of a Panchero’s steak burrito and a Sprite. Before the day is through, you might also find him reading a book in the Hunger Game series (if his attention span is working for him). Or perhaps he’ll have his math book opened. It’s his favorite school subject.

Connor doesn’t do well trying to get through a whole movie when he’s with his friends. He says his short attention span won’t allow it, and . . . SQUIRREL!! He can, however, lock into a TV show or two. Cause, you know; they’re shorter. His faves include Gray’s Anatomy, One Tree Hill, and Big Brother. Football and college basketball can also hold his attention well as can a Minnesota Vikings or Chicago Cubs game.

When I asked Connor what he'd like from his Senior shoot, he said "I hope my mom doesn't say "You're so handsome!" after every picture. But, I do hope that I look good." Well, I did lose count on the number of "You're so handsome!" comments. But I can tell you that you look pretty darned good in these images! I think they are great expressions of "Connor" and I hope you'll agree. Enjoy these and all your other photos. I hope they'll preserve great memories for years to come!

Connor plans to attend the University of Iowa in the fall to study Pharmacy. For this talented young man, his future will be a bright one! Thank you again, Connor, for the honor of capturing your Senior images. Congratulations!

Kennedy . . . 

Introducing kennedy lehman . . . class of 2019!

Welcome to this month's Senior Spotlight! This beautiful young lady chose Volk Images LLC for her senior photos this year. The pictures speak for themselves, but here's a little more about Kennedy.

As you can see, she is active in Cheerleading at Ankeny Centennial and loves cheering on her favorite football and basketball teams. She will attend Iowa State in the fall and will have a chance to root for solid football and basketball teams there as well. She plans to major in event management. During school, she loves her Social Studies and Choir classes and is active in Show Choir.

A perfect day for Kennedy? Waking up late, breakfast with friends, and just hanging out with no commitments or obligations. Undoubtedly she'd be listening to Little Big Town or one of her other country favorites. Perhaps lunch would include her favorite; ice cream. Because in Kennedy's words, it's both a food AND a drink! So hard to argue with that!

Kennedy is a fun, kind, and helpful person. A little behind the scenes info . . . at one of our locations, we were met by a swarm of thousands (not exaggerating) of mosquitos! I feared they were going to lift Kennedy off the ground and take her away!! She took it all in stride, and we were even able to get a couple fantastic photos at that location! She maintained a great attitude, and we had a little laugh afterward . . . (and thanks to her mom Nancy for her kindness and a gift bag that included . . . yes, bug spray!!)

A few other tidbits about Kennedy:

Favorite TV Shows: Gray's Anatomy, Friends, and KUWTK

Favorite Movies: Cinderella, The Holiday, and The Wedding Planner

Favorite Quote: "Have courage and be kind." - Cinderella

Kennedy, thank you again for choosing Volk Images LLC! I hope your pictures and the experience will provide lasting memories for years to come. Best of luck during your senior year and beyond . . . 

Steven