Jul 04 2008
Portrait of a Saturday (The Third)
As I have reported in the past, we found that our local Portrait Innovations does a good job for a good price. I stop at “good” because there’s nothing groundbreaking about the poses or the photographers. They are easy to work with and our prints always look great.
While our first and second trips turned out a much better variety of quality shots, we are happy with what we got. Remarkably, this time they used a filter that took about 24 pounds off of Shannon.
Benjamin was quite wriggly and not very cooperative. It’s pretty tough to do much about that when the boy’s just laughing at the photographer’s buffoonery and trying to add his own.
I nearly found myself saying, “Son, stop having so much fun and just smile.” That wouldn’t have worked, anyway, because when he smiles on command he looks like he’s trying to pass a koosh ball. Blithely mentioning Kung Fu Panda saved the day more than once.
As usual, the studio gave us permission to use the low-res images (even the rejects) however we see fit. So, here’s my shot at that. (click any pic to enlarge)
“My dad paid good money for this haircut. Smile? Whatever.”
I’ll finish with two that we did not order but that I liked (my crops).
Of all of the above, which are your favorites?
Happy Independence Day to all United States citizens! Belated Happy Canada Day to all the Canadians! Use at least one exclamation point today!
What’s with the bare feet? Did you tell him you’re from Arkansas?
I like the one with your son sitting next to the blocks and the family shot on top. Its hard to find a good studio to price ratio.
I like how the last two pics of Ben are labelled “reject”. You sure love your boy, dontcha?
Don’t let Shan see your comment up there about the first photo. She might have something else to say about how that weight was taken off. Something, perhaps, having to do with time, effort, motivation and a little help from her friends. But of course you know that.
I like the top family shot the best overall ’cause you guys look pretty natural and happy. Seeing how it’s labeled “Three on Floor”, did you know there used to be a Canuck comedy troupe called “Four on the Floor” that did great sketch comedy on CBC? Just random trivia there.
Of the solo shots, I like Ben’s Alanis Morissette impression best. You know, the one with his hand in his pocket. He looks older than five there, and you can see more of the young man he’s going to turn into before long.
! ← gratuitous exclamation point, by request.
The top shot is a definate. It’s hard to get a good, full-family shot. Plus, I like the bare-foot thing. Makes it look casual..even though there’s really nothing casual about studio photo-shoots.
I also like the final, non-reject shot…the Ben on his tummy shot. It’s a fake smile, but genuine amusement…if that makes sense.
Also feel the need to add that Shannon is looking great. (Don’t cry, Mark…you look fine too)
And finally, have you ever got a chance to play around with those lights you took back with you?
Si - Cut that out!!!
Yeah, what Simon said. You’d better watch what you say, Buster (aka Mark)!
Pops - Yes, and then we blamed it on you, because you are, too.
OhCaptain - Thanks for dropping by and for commenting. I like your site. Being a dad is always a little easier when you see yet another person doing it and trying to do it well.
Simon - Thanks for the exclamation point!
Talk to the lady of the house about those shots being “rejects.” Actually, the last two times we’ve had his pictures made there, we ended up with too many pictures. We had to restrict ourselves.
I was lucky. Shannon read that part about the weight loss and laughed. Whew.
Your favorite shot of Ben was the same as Shannon’s. Which take me to the next reply.
Moksha - The Ben on his tummy shot is my favorite, too.
I will not comment on your compliment to my wife for fear of saying the wrong thing. Such as, “Yes, she does look great,” (as opposed to before?). Or, “She always looks great, no matter what,” (too transparent, although true).
The lights. Yes, I have managed to toy with them a bit. In fact, I have two items on eBay right now and one already is going for well over what I expected to make. I photographed those items using the handy-dandy lights you mentioned. I also shot a few pics of Shannon after she got home from a moms’ night out, but it was late and I didn’t have much time. They show promise; it’s a matter of my improving my own skills with artificial lighting.
C’mon Mark… how can light be artificial? If it’s coming from a pair of lamps it’s still REAL LIGHT!
And there’s a second exclamation point for ya. Consider it my Independence Day gift to you.
Simon - I direct you to Wikipedia’s Entry on Artificial Light and reiterate Mark’s previous assertion that you are, in fact, a “smarmy, amphibious wanker.”
Mark - I gotcher back, bud ;)
You guys crack me up!!! And that’s not just because I’ve had 5.5 beers - y’all is really funny!
Simon and Moksha - You guys are hilarious. Plus, I love having my assertions reiterated. Usually I have to pay at least 5 bucks per minute for that kind of thing.
Can I come photograph your family? Seriously. :) I was just thinking I needed to come and see my friend again there! We would have so much fun. I think my favs are the first family shot and the the tummy shot. You all look great in that top shot. And I love the bare feet as well…although in a studio shot it seems like he forgot to put them on! ;)
Have a happy 4th! And can you pass along the filter that takes off 24 pounds? My business will triple with that one!
Anna, you can come take our picture anytime! That means we would finally get to meet you! We’ll even give you your choice - shoes or no shoes. :o) (I have to admit, my big feet do kind of overshadow everything else in that shot.)
As for the filter, my hubby would be rich if he really invented one of those, huh? Unfortunately that filter took about 3 months to take effect and made me miss out on a lot of good food I would have loved to eat! ;o)
Happy belated 4th, everyone. We’re going to celebrate a different birthday tomorrow (well, later today) - that of our big ol’ 5 year old boy!
OK Shannon, when I am that way I will call you all again! ;) I almost always say no shoes so I will warn you of that now! You look great so congrats on all the hard work!
Have fun with Ben tonight!
Wow, I’m just seeing this now and hoping I’m not too late…
I too, love the shot of Ben with his hands in his pockets.
I’m with Pops though… what’s with the ‘no shoes’ look?? *LOL*
Did Ben JUST get his hair cut? The bangs are oh-so-very-straight!
! (another gratuitous exclamation mark left because it seems you like them)
Moksha, I now know that you’re full of it, because I am in no way amphibious. I like to swim, but that’s about it. Smarmy wankerism I will freely admit to.
I just had to point out one more thing. Mark misrepresented this whole experience, because it really happened on a Sunday, not a Saturday. I know, I know - let the public flogging begin.