True confessions. About 10 years ago I if asked what kind of photography I really, really hated my answer would have been “GAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. High School Seniors. I can’t relate to them. I hate that they want a jillion outfit changes. I hate that their mothers bitch at them the whole session about what they are wearing, how they are smiling or not smiling, I hate their attitudes. I hate the way they wear their hair, are they kidding me?’
And to review, 10 years ago I had 4 year old and a 7 year old boys Really, I knew more about Thomas the Tank Engine than about the latest Green Day song then. I still had Goldfish Crackers embedded in my couch.
Now I have 14 year old and a 17 year old boys. We spend our times talking about which O.A.R song rocks the hardest. Every time we have a great conversation where I realize what incredible people they have become I am alternately amazed and amused that I somehow birthed these 6 foot children.
But recently when I am asked to do senior photos of kids I have a really, really different take on them. What I try to stress to the parents is this experience I had while photographing my son Caleb as he embarks on his senior year.
This was not a scripted moment, I was driving to pick Caleb up from work and I noticed the amazing light on this field near where he worked. I asked him “Can I take some pictures of you over there?” and he said sure. (Let’s be honest, this was less than a question than a directive. A photographers kid knows better than to say “no” to good light) . He had come from work, he was not showered, and these were the clothes he was wearing. That raggedy Led Zeppelin shirt and his hair not as short as I would like. But he sat down and grabbed a dandelion as I was adjusting my settings and blew on it like he did when he was 4 and I made this photo of him and it’s one of my favorites of all time.
This photo, in so many ways is so perfectly him. Or maybe more accurately, the way I want to remember him . The bridge between that little boy who would only go to sleep to Paul Simon’s “Graceland” and who existed for nearly 9 years on air, apple juice and a “fresh box” of Kraft Mac and Cheese (no leftovers for the King, thankyouverymuch) and the super tall teen age kid who spends his time dissecting songs to play on his guitar rather than bothering with video games, who claims he does not like tomatoes, green peppers or onions but eats a quart of salsa a week and who attracts cats in a nearly freakish manner. Seriously, the kid is the Cat Whisperer.
Even so, as a mother I look at this photos and I think his hair is too long. And I wish he wouldn’t try to squash down his curls after he showers. I guess that his mother telling him that “Chicks think curly hair is hot” might not be my best line of defense to convince him.
I know he does not comprehend Robert Plant is OLDER than his mother despite the Led Zeppelin shirt, and oh by the way DUDE I was there when the pig flew over the crowd for the “Animal” Tour and you were like 8 years from CONCEPTION. You really have NO idea how cool I am, Caleb.
But this photo, right now…it’s my kid. It’s his life, and I want to show what is important in his world right now . I want these photos to show how is is now. He’ll be different in a flash. I know that I will blink and he’ll be bringing some girl home….ack. I don’t want to talk about it. Maybe he’ll just get more cats…
If this is the kind of photo you are looking like for your High School Senior, click on the contact me button and let’s talk!
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