Meet my super-cool nephew, Travis - he's from Alabama, y'all, and he's got a slight southern drawl to prove it. This guy is the real deal. I've never met a nicer, more genuine teen. This kid - also so witty - seriously. He's that somewhat quiet guy who occasionally just drops the best line of the day into a conversation as if it's the easiest thing in the world.
Also, while he was staying with us a couple of weeks ago, he introduced me to the song "Handlebars" by the Flobots, and for that, I will forever be grateful. I have hope for the future of America when my 18-year-old nephew is listening to good music.
Travis is heading to the University of Alabama/Huntsville this fall and we are all looking forward to seeing the mark he will make on the world.
We did a couple of mini senior sessions while he was in town a couple of weeks ago. I headed right out to a spot I've been wanting to try for a while now - under the Rudee Inlet Bridge. Who knew about those "No Tresspassing" signs right in that very spot? Well, I sort-of ignored them and right as we were finishing up, an oh-so-friendly police officer on a bicycle kicked us off the bridge pilings.
As the responsible aunt I am, we headed right over to the rocks at Rudee Inlet - another place I've been wanting to try. Dang if there aren't signs there, too. Yes, we took a few photos. We just kept a watchful eye out for the police. And you know - it was worth it. We got some funky, experimental and somewhat masculine shots. The second shoot was not nearly as excited - no cops, no rain, either.
Travis - here's your sneak preview. Can't believe you're off to orientation and college. Congratulations!
Under the bridge:

This is the "not your average" senior portrait - love the moody sky, the way the angle makes his arms and legs look like they go on forever (and they do anyway) and the vintage tones. (The preset used to create this look is called "300" like the movie - you can definitely see the similarities.)
We did a second session to capture more traditional shots. I rarely have to worry about rain for summer sessions, but we had to really work to get these two sessions in the week he was in town. 

