If someone had said to me, when I was twelve years old –
“Whitney, someday you’ll marry a 6’5 stud of a man who will change the oil in your car, come inside and snuggle on the couch with you to watch ‘Downton Abbey'”,
or if that person would have said ” You are destined to birth a child that weighs 9pounds 10 ounces (and that’s why God created C-sections, friends)” or
“One day you will use your photographic skills to create… a Big Rig calendar.” I might have scoffed. I might have scoffed just so I could write the word “scoffed”, because really – it’s delightful and underused. But I digress.
As you might have guessed, all three have come true. I’m about to show you photos of two. The least painful ones. : )
Having never before photographed large trucks, these 13 shoots were an eye-opening experience. I learned, for example, that a truck like the one below, without its trailer – is called a “bob tail”.
I learned that trucks are their owners “babies”. Never have I seen so much buffing and polishing (and I imagined, sweet cooing whispers during the wipe-down).
I learned that truck drivers are not unlike my son with his Hot Wheels. Just bigger boys with bigger toys. : )
P.S. – All the trucks have names. As if you couldn’t have guessed.
I learned that there are lots of cool & kind people out there (ladies – he’s available! call me).
I learned that there is no “typical” truck driver.
I learned that truckers fawn over each others paint jobs and trailers the same way women gasp over each others outfits and jewelry. I lost count of how many appreciative honks this truck got from fans on the highway driving by during the shoot.
I learned that the trucking business is often a family affair – like for these two brothers.
Hey! There’s that ‘Downton’-lovin’ stud I mentioned earlier!
I learned that everyone has a unique talent!
Mostly though, I learned that for the men (and women) who own them, and create them – a truck can really be a work of art. And I for one, have a new appreciation for this thing of beauty.
A BIG thanks to Bryan, Mischa and the truck owners and truck “artists” (my wording, not theirs) who work in the shop at Four State Trucks. Go see them. Buy a calendar. Or a gear shift the size of a small child. It’s worth the trip.
