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"Samuel" While teaching my Texas School Class of 2003, I had the privilege of photographing a young man named Samuel Baker. This was not the first time I photographed Samuel. Many years ago when he was just a youngster, I photographed him with his family. His parents, Steve and Sharon have been friends of mine for most of my two decades in professional photography and are professional photographers themselves. They are fine people and good friends. Samuel was tragically lost in a water accident while visiting the Texas coast not long after modeling for me at Texas School. I was deeply saddened when I learned of Samuel's death and wanted to pay tribute to him by sharing some of my impressions, along with one of my favorite portraits of him from the sitting. This was the first time I had worked with him as an adult. Samuel was a very quiet young man and when first meeting him, you realized that there was far more beneath the surface than met the eye. Samuel was clearly a deep thinker. He was a handsome young man with penetrating eyes. Samuel was extremely polite and respectful to those around him. As a model and subject for portraits, he had few equals when it came to being able to take direction, hold a pose and make the photographer's job a total joy. He made it easy to be creative and do your very finest work. I will always cherish my photography session with Samuel. He was a fine young man and I regret that I will not have the chance to photograph him again. - Scott Smith |
