Joyce

Joyce is 86 years old. She has been an actor for more than 60 years and is now living in a seniors residence, where I think her life will be much easier. When she sat for this photo, which was my first session, she was still living in her apartment. I am so grateful to her for sitting for me. I only took about 15 shots of her, with the close up you see here the last one I took. After this, she was done. I love the t-shirt she is wearing-it says so much about her! The portrait behind Joyce is of her in the 1960's or 70's, painted by her friend Barbara Mercer. I have learned more about patience with Joyce, and during our brief session, learned that I have to seize the moment, and therefore need to really know what I am doing, which I don't, yet. About age, Joyce says "People call these the golden years...I call them the rusty years!"

Juan

It is a slow dive, with not a jot of technique, but I am learning. Juan was a little anxious as well, which goes to show that just because you're an actor, it doesn't necessarily mean you are an extrovert and love to show yourself off! Juan is a very funny person-always telling fantastically droll jokes and a real extrovert with his friends, but he was shy to start and I think, looking to me to help him feel comfortable. This time, I learned that as a photographer, it is my job to help my subjects relax and breath easy. Turn some favourite music on, tell jokes. Encourage them to talk about themselves. Juan did relax and I thought some of the snaps turned out well. I so appreciate my friends willingness, in spite of their anxieties, to sit for me. Without their cooperation, none of this would exist!

James

Arranging to take my friend James' portrait wasn't easy. He had expressed some anxiety to me about sitting for a portrait; he didn't like having his picture taken. A common aversion, I think. So I approached the whole sitting with respect, of course, and with some clear ideas of what I wanted him to do. The whole picture worked from the start-the place, the light, the subject-everything came together. I took about 30 photos and was pretty happy with the outcome at the time. As I drove home after, though, I thought, "That was too easy-it didn't cost me anything". Nothing was risked, on my part. When I got home to look at the photos, I was not happy. I didn't get him to look at the camera once! If I had had the courage to ask him, to direct him, the outcome might have been quite different. In the end, it's okay, I guess, but I really wanted to see his eyes! Lesson learned-takes risks! Easy to say.