A picture of my eldest son Sam last night before he went off to his school Snow Ball.
He is at an all boys school, but they join forces with the girls school next door for the event.
He looked a million dollars in his DJ, and he even wore the gold pocket watch that I gave him to celebrate his exam success earlier in the summer. My Dad gave it to me in 1988 when I passed my degree, I passed it on.
A fun time was had by all, and he is already looking forward to the next event where he gets to wear his DJ!
I have posted and said a lot less about my family in year 2 of my project, so perhaps I should say a little about this young man.
Sam isn't just my son, he is one of my best friends. I adore him, and am enjoying watching his journey through life and seeing him change. Every day he is learning, and he is also changing me as a person, teaching me things. He has his bad points, shall we call them areas for development, but I will not dwell on them here.
He has a commanding presence, standing at about 6ft 4" at the age of 16. He is clever, articulate, incredibly funny, successful at school and a very kind young man.
He has a genuine interest in the world and a wanderlust to explore it. He is 17 at the end of December and the next couple of years hold much excitement for him.
He has school trips planned to the USA (Politics A level trip) taking in New York Philadelphia and Washington. Hockey Tour to South Africa where he will also go on safari, climb Table Mountain, visit Robben Island and spend time in a township.
His Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award is underway, and he will soon start learning to drive. Then we have the A Levels and choosing a degree and university. This is the time of his life, and I am enjoying the privilege of witnessing it.
This is a lovely portrait, both photographically and in words, I can see why you would be so (justifiably) proud of him - if that makes sense. Before we had our two boys, neither my husband nor I understood the love parents feel for their children, I think your caption sums it up for you.
@seanoneill As always I love to hear what you say about your kids and how you say it. And in reply to you the other day... ummm let's say things have changed and I don't like roller coasters.
Fabulous portrait. Sounds like you are raising a great young man. My 16-year-old is taking her college entrance exam this morning. Not sure I am ready to send her off to college next year.
Great portrait of a fine young man, no wonder you are proud of him! How very wise of you to treasure the time you have with your children at home, it goes so very quickly.
I always admire the way you are not embarrassed to say how much you love your kids Sean......how proud you are of them & how wonderful they are, a great grounding for a perfect childhood....your boy will go far with an upbringing like that!
Such great advantages to come in the coming months & I'm sure he will grab every opportunity with both hands!!!
On so many levels, what a great shot. I loved reading about Sam (my quite amazing nephew shares his name) and all his wonderful accomplishments. No wonder you are proud and consider him your close friend. And cool -- 35mm lens! Looking forward to seeing more shots with it.
What a lucky man you are to have a son like Sam and what a lucky young man is Sam to have a father like you. Wonderful that Sam is having so many opportunities to travel far afield - all of them shaping the man he will become.
What a super portrait Sean, Sam looks very distinguished. Don't worry too much about them going away to uni, they tend to come back home again after as it's so expensive to live anywhere else - especially in London!
I enjoy hearing the stories about your son, thank you for sharing! Sam is also very lucky to have a dad like you! These great children don't become magnificent accidently! Magnificent portrait, job well done, magnificent young man, job well done! And congrats on the cool new camera!
Thank you for sharing about your son. He sounds like an incredible young man ready to take on the world. How lucky you are to have him. You've taken an incredibly handsome portrait, one you'll be glad you have for many years to come.
Your description is lovely to read.
He's a handsome young man, and it's no surprise he stands tall, he looks it.
I think I can safely say I am in between him and you (age-wise), and I haven't achieved anywhere near the things I hoped for by this point in life.
Please tell him from me that he needs to soak everything up, grab the bull by the horns and do with both hands...and always turn it up to 11 :)
Sound like he's going to have a wicked time on his trips and he'll look back on them in later years and remember many great things, I am sure...!
@stevecameras Thanks Steve, that is such a brilliant response to my photo of Sam, I will show him what you've said. he has had to choose between SA and a car, and with his 17th birthday approaching he is regretting his choice of SA. He will get his car sometime though, and end up with the best of both worlds.
@seanoneill You're welcome. And tell him cars are cheap. He can always pick up an old runaround, in which to tell all his mates about his trips abroad! :)
What a wonderful portrait, Sam is incredibly lucky to have you and Rebecca as parents, however he may not realise this for a few years. :) I took mine for granted and it's only as a parent and hearing other people's experiences I realise how lucky I am. Sam's future sounds amazing - tell him to go for it!
Such great advantages to come in the coming months & I'm sure he will grab every opportunity with both hands!!!
He's a handsome young man, and it's no surprise he stands tall, he looks it.
I think I can safely say I am in between him and you (age-wise), and I haven't achieved anywhere near the things I hoped for by this point in life.
Please tell him from me that he needs to soak everything up, grab the bull by the horns and do with both hands...and always turn it up to 11 :)
Sound like he's going to have a wicked time on his trips and he'll look back on them in later years and remember many great things, I am sure...!
Excellent portrait.