Jon and Missy

Posted by Laurie (New Jersey, United States) on 8 October 2007 in People & Portrait and Portfolio.

Most of you probably already know how difficult it is for me to get a nice shot of Jon. I try and try and usually it ends in disaster. Well I've resolved to accept things as they are and let the chips fall where they may. Hence this shot.

I grabbed this shot the same day that I was setting up to take Russell's generic senior yearbook photo. I happened to be able to convince Jon to let me get a quick pic of him with Missy, but as you can see it wasn't exactly what I had in mind. I still like it though.

Yes, he definitely needs a hair cut!!! But I pick my battles carefully. My rule is that when it comes time for him to get his driving permit he cannot have hair in his face. So the battle line over the hair has been drawn. ;)

I've been having difficulty finding time to get online and visit all my favorite photoblogs lately, in fact just posting here has become increasingly difficult as life just seems to get busier and busier despite the idea that I thought that once school went back into session I might find a little more time. I've been wrong on that count.

Tomorrow we are going to visit Bucknell in Pennsylvania, yet another college in Russell's search. The college search process is a daunting thing for a 17 year old, and of course his parents as well. Each day is one day closer and one day more stressful for all of us. SAT I's are finished, SAT II's are a few weeks away. The common applications and teacher recommendations are all in process. Russell seems to be holding up pretty well so far, I wish I could say the same for his parents!

Remember October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. I have some useful links posted on my other blog on this post.

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Comments (19)

Eleftheria, 9 years old, from Athens, Greece

So beautiful cat.

8 Oct 2007 11:34am

@Eleftheria, 9 years old,: Thanks.

marci from San Antonio, United States

I understand! My boys are younger, but they offer their own challenges to me when I am trying to get a shot of them. I erase countless tongue-sticking-out shots...Thank goodness for digital! I think that this is beautiful, even without seeing what I am sure is a very handsome face. The way he holds your cat tells so much about your son's gentle spirit.

8 Oct 2007 12:43pm

@marci: Thanks. He is a very kind and caring boy. He loves his cat very much too.

Nick Passantino from Bronx, United States

oh the college search. take pictures while youre there. it will help your son during decision time.

ps. i just want to make a plug for Fordham University, where I attend. Your son might want to take a look into it.

8 Oct 2007 1:57pm

@Nick Passantino: Thanks. I've taken many photos at the different campuses.

I will have him look into it. Although I don't think he wants to be in the City. He loves the city but I don't think he wants to live there.

Russ from New Hanover, PA, United States

I can completely understand your plight with uncooperative kids with long hair not wanting their pictures taken, and the search for colleges. I'm going through those same things at the moment. When my oldest turned 17 in the spring, he actually went to the point of pulling his shirt up over his face so I couldn't photograph him as we sang Happy Birthday to him. He managed to blow out all the candles on his cake THROUGH his shirt AND eat his birthday cake while keeping the shirt over his face. I decided to take the pictures anyway and told him that this is what he'll have to look at when he's my age and looking through the family photo album. I should post those shots on my photoblog just to spite him!

8 Oct 2007 3:04pm

@Russ: Thanks. That's so funny! I say post them anyway!

photowannabe from rocklin, CA, United States

Its very important to pick the battles. Some in the course of History will have no lasting effect.
Great shot and interesting capture. I can see why you like it even though his face is hidden.

8 Oct 2007 5:40pm

@photowannabe: Thanks. Indeed I have learned to carefully pick my battles.

ankush vimawala from eugene, United States

what a beautiful portrait Laurie! hats off to you...

8 Oct 2007 7:16pm

@ankush vimawala: Thanks.

Sharon from Brooklyn, United States

Great studio shot. Colors are so good. I really like this.

9 Oct 2007 4:27am

@Sharon: Thanks.

david from london, United Kingdom

made me laugh...that is just such a teenager! classic!

9 Oct 2007 7:33am

@david: Thanks. I laugh to myself when I look at it too.

Jen from Alpharetta, United States

I absolutely love this shot and your commentary.
My oldest has his hair a bit longer than that...it drives my husband batty, but as you "I pick my battles". He's a good kid with a good heart...what's more important...the hair or the kid...I choose the kid.
Thanks Laurie...and good luck with all the college stuff!

10 Oct 2007 1:24am

@Jen: Thank you. I agree there are many more important things to worry about than the length of his hair.

badala from Leiria, Portugal

Lovely... Perfect.

10 Oct 2007 12:14pm

@badala: Thanks.

See The Light from Newcastle, United States

Great shot love the cat and the hair. I understand right where your at.

10 Oct 2007 5:29pm

@See The Light: Thanks. Teens are such fun. Really they are in a lot of ways, definitely can be frustrating but fun as well.

Michel [Une photo,vite et reviens tard] from Cergy (near Paris), France

Ah Laurie, all kids are the same ; we have the same in France! (perhaps the "college hunting" is less difficult...

10 Oct 2007 6:19pm

@Michel [Une photo,vite et reviens tard]: Thanks. I just can't wait for the college search to be over! Then we get to do it again in a few years.

Craiger from Vacaville, California, United States

That is one excellent studio shot!

10 Oct 2007 10:15pm

@Craiger: Thanks. I'm working with less that great lights. I'm working on changing that. I have such an old single light set up with a reflector and I just don't care for it so I am trying different things. It's a real learning curve.

Dave MacIntyre from Toronto, Canada

This is indeed professional quality stuff Laurie! Well done!

11 Oct 2007 5:08am

@Dave MacIntyre: Thanks.

HorseRotorVator from Newton, United States

Beautiful shot!

11 Oct 2007 1:33pm

@HorseRotorVator: Thanks.

Pouhou from Apeldoorn, Netherlands

try again (I mean the time will come)

11 Oct 2007 9:25pm

@Pouhou: Thanks. I will get him...eventually!

Zing from Hamilton, New Zealand

Nice shot, cute cat!

14 Oct 2007 4:04am

@Zing: Thanks. She's really a sweetheart too.

Bron from Canberra, Australia

I think it's a perfect portrait of a boy Jon's age - it shows gentleness, a reticence and the hair is perfect for his age too. My Sam had a long ponytail at this age too but decided himself at about 18 to cut it off.. I think all these stages happen despite us so I try to celebrate them! Good luck wit the college search! cheers Bron

14 Oct 2007 5:33am

@Bron: Thanks. I actually find the teen years kind of fun, challenging to be sure but still fun.

Levine from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

I love this portrait. Really good idea here. In the studio or something? At home? Where was it taken?

28 Oct 2007 3:11pm

@Levine: Thanks. This was shot in my family room, which sufficed as a studio for that afternoon. I did use studio lights and a backdrop. I needed to get my middle son's Senior portrait done for the yearbook so I had it set up for that. I have a "portable studio" for on location shoots.

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Nikon D200
1/100 second
F/6.3
ISO 200
50 mm