Recently, a young woman who I have known since she was a kid, called and asked me if I would do a head shot for her. It would be for her new dentist practice. Wait, what?! I rarely do head shots anymore as a general rule, but – this was a girl my daughter grew up around, and had many MANY play-dates at the house with her younger sister. In fact, I had photographed her once before when she was 12. I said, “Of course Sophie, for you – yes! And congratulations on graduating medical school!” Wow. Then she said, “How about Friday at my parents house?” Then I said, “OK, that sounds perfect.” When I saw her coming out her parents’ front door, I couldn’t believe my eyes. Such a familiar face, one I could pick out of a crowd anywhere. She showed me a few top options for the photo and we settled on a blouse with drawings of dogs on it. Her mother showed me all the improvements on the very cool old 70’s house she and her husband have chipped away at, making amazingly creative improvements to the space over the years. Even a living room wall I had some input in picking out a color for. I had so many flashbacks of drinking coffee with Sophie’s mom in what was the old kitchen, when picking up my daughter Ana at this house. Little Micky Mouse-ish voices begging for “5 more minutes!” before we had to get going. I photographed the current elegant Sophie (she was so, even at 12) on her front porch looking as confident and natural as could be. I couldn’t believe how time had passed, or really, what she had accomplished in the relatively short period of childhood to young adult. I sort of wanted to hug her, and take for ice cream when we were done shooting. I refrained. She said she had to leave and head to her new office, and I impulsively asked if she needed a ride. “It’s not necessary Carol, I have a car.” What was I thinking. I stood and watched her walk off, and thought, of course she doesn’t need a ride – she’s a grown woman doctor now!