The First Time My Brother Let Me Photograph Him

Its a sad thing to admit, but we've never gotten along, my youngest brother and I. Nor, would I say, that we haven't NOT particularly gotten along either. We are, at our hearts the awkward black sheep' of the family-- and polar opposite black sheep at that. I'm 5'1 and he's an astounding 6'9-- the rest of the family lies directly in the middle of that spectrum. I'm very well read, and despise maths while he, on the other hand, hates reading and got into college full-scholarship because of math. I'm right handed, he's left. I'm auburn haired and hazel-eyed, he black haired and blue-eyed.

And while, yes, in our youth we clashed heavily, as siblings tend to do, given years and space and growing up, now we're more like comfortable strangers. Like that same cashier you get every time you go grocery shopping and exchange pleasantries with. Or the bus driver you greet when going to work. The hair dresser who knows just enough of your life--and you theirs--to make conversation for the duration.

This was not one of those times. This time, he asked of me a favor. And I lit up with excitement. Senior photos! Thank the gods! Finally, something so small, but a connection of sorts. It was cold. The snows had yet to fall and my fingers where frozen, the my grin stayed the whole time. He was stiff at first. As always, uncomfortable in his body and another' scrutiny. But I joked, and played and acted the fool, and he scoffed and smirked and hesitantly acted in kind. It was the most fun 20mins we had shared in over 8years.

Thank yobaba, god, buddah, satan, Artemis, Odin, and the many others for fracking senior portraits! XD

just for fun