Finding a Smile

I can not imagine what a challenge it must be for a somewhat shy child to have a professional photographer for a parent. I remember that I absolutely hated having my picture taken from the time that I was about nine years old. And that it didn't really improve until my braces finally came off after I turned sixteen.

When cameras were pointed in my direction, I'd hide behind my hands, hide behind furniture, quickly turn my back, or make a goofy face. I'm fairly certain that I drove my parents (and others) crazy with my unwillingness to be photographed. And now, unfortunately, there are very few good pictures of me at that age.

Of course, that was in the days of film. When it cost money to develop a roll of film, and you even had to pay for the bad ones!

Ryan isn't much different than I was at that age. He'll even hide behind a handful of pine needles!

Sometimes he hides behind his longish hair, and sometimes its behind his "too cool" attitude.

Perhaps if there had been digital cameras, there would have been more decent pictures of me (although with that l-o-n-g awkward phase I went through, this is still questionable!). I've found that at some point, after enough clicking, even Ryan's guard comes down and I begin to see his true, handsome self shining through.