new thread
A few months into my long hair journey I put a few progress pictures up on www.myspace.com/manlocks. Someone in my area, looking for locals, happened upon my pictures and contacted me. He is an amateur photographer, looking for free modelling subjects (as he is not yet earning his living through photography, but is looking to increase technical skill and to start earning more of his money that way.)
Well I contacted him back, spent a few moths in email and then phone conversation to make sure this wasn't some hoax. Apparently, I am full of character and he though the hair was great. Taht sold me, I opted to snap a few shots with him.
So between some rain storms a couple weekends ago (shortly after my 15 month no-cut mark), we met at my school and took some pics on the playground.
I'm not too sure how many other people out there care to see these, so I thought I'd share with you...even if you're not that interested.
On another note, there is some heavy conversation going on around here lately: everything from Ron Paul to Hitler. Glad to see men are still concerned with conditioners in the midst of it all - what a great group of fellas.
Here are the pics, by photographer David Redding (look up the group 'Imaginary Persona' on Facebook for more of his pics).
I was looking over at my daughter who was playing with a frog she (amazingly enough ) caught and checking to make sure she wasn't squeezing it too hard...he snuck this one in:
Here he wanted to get a moving subject and the hopscotch markers were still bright from their repainting over the summer.
An odd experience, overall. I am no model and the whole thing felt wierd and unnatural, but I can imagine how, once one knew how to do it, why modelling could be fun.
Thanks for the ongoing support. I am finally out of the akward stage and I don't even think of cutting it anymore. I am a long-hair. One with still short-ish hair, but long hair, nonetheless. I am really glad for my curls, too, because I can wear my hair down or back to make it look dressed up; slick or artsy, either way...
I am reading what is posted, I am just not responding to everything these days.
Take care.
Shawn (Mr.Crow)
Great Pictures,
I think we should all take calculated risks, but I hope you claimed some rights to these photographs. If they are published to his economic benefit, you should get good part of the income.
Caledonian
I know how you feel. Confession: photo-shoots are not my favorite part of a longhair get-together; I just don't enjoy posing. It just, well, like you say, feels wierd.
It looks like you got a great deal on some very good portrait photography. I bet that guy has no trouble finding work.
He is getting busier all the time. Thanks.
Yes, YOU ARE A LONGHAIR!!!!!
I am happy to see you so happy in your role as a longhair and I look up to you as a future teacher. It seems like you have your share of fun, something I will be sure to do.
peace
clayton
ohh.....I almost forgot, your hair is truly amazing!! Must to be admired.
Thanks, Clayton. Best of luck becomming a teacher. It is demanding, but rewarding (and I absolutel love teaching these wee little ones (4 and 5 year olds). They might be more needy than the grade 8s, but they are also so much more polite!
Shawn Crowell
Truely beautiful photos Shawn, your photographer friend does wonderful work! Mr Longhair, I love this picture. It shows your hair off very nicely.
Take care,
Bruce
Thanks, Bruce, I appreciate the compliments and will be sure to tell the photographer.
Shawn
cool pictures man!
Thanks!
Hey Shawn,
Never again should you question whether you are a longhair... Your hair is amazing, and those photos are hands-down superb, --- and you look so full of life, joy, and mischief (in a good way - lol)!!
I say you "lucked-out", as far as finding a VERY talented photographer... not that the model ain't bad-lookin', either (lol)....
Thank you for sharing those. I imagine that your wife & daughter are very proud of you!
Take care,
Ken in San Francisco
That is a great compliment. Thanks, Ken.
My wife, as usual when regarding my hair, rolls her eyes and silently states her disapproval but she doesn't demand it be changed: she recognizes that my hair is my perogative. In fact, she hasn't even seen the pictures (too bad).
Wow! What a surprise. I had NO idea that your hair was that long. It looks fantastic and suites you ever so well. You have much to be proud of.
These were wonderful photos. Applause!
Thanks, Justin. Curls are really good at hiding length. Maybe I'll take a wet photo to get a look at length sometime.
Thanks for the compliments, I 'll be sure to share them with the photographer, too.
Shawn
Hi Shawn...
Great photos.. you are very photogenic indeed. If it felt awkward taking the shots; I sure couldn't tell at all! Good job...... and your hair is looking better and better with each of your posts. Those curls totally rock...
Anyway; glad to hear you're doing well...
Keep it growin...
Tristan
Thanks, Tristan. I appreciate your complimenting my curls.
Shawn
And a very handsome model I might add.
Karsten
Hi Shawn,
First of all, I really wanted to thank you for taking the time to extend your condolences to me in my time of need after the devastating loss in my family. I know you have been terribly busy these days, and the fact that you would be thinking of me these days has touched me very deeply, and made the pain a little bit easier to bear. I am just taking a few minutes now and then, to pop in to the hyperboard, to help take my mind off things.
These are outstanding photos, displayed with artistry and grace, and I am delighted that you found someone with so much talent to take them. Your manlocks are looking ever so fine these days, and I salute you for continuing your long hair journey.
Be sure to say hi to Holly for me. (or is it Hollie?) One can never forget that family is the most precious gift of all.
Take care,
David
Thanks, David, for the reply. I hope you are able to get you mind off of things for a while. Holly is doing well, though she is frustrated with learning a new language at her French school - she is used to being easily understood and understanding things...tjey say by January things should get better for her. In the meantime, I will keep trying to make home life as comfortable for her as possible.
Thanks for the compliments,
Shawn
Thanks, Karsten. I really appreciate your compliment.
Shawn
Very cool, Mr. Crow!
Now when I see you in an ad in GQ, I can say, "Hey, I know that guy!"
The pictures are great. I'm the same way, I read everything but don't have the time I'd like to make lots of posts either.
Bragi
Very flattering. Thanks, Bragi.
The Pictures are very good as far as I'm concerned although I'm just an amateur. Your hair does allow you many different looks
and does add something. although we say our hair doesn't define who we are and it really doesn't but it does add a little to the definition.
LOL Yeah we do have some interesting conversations around here and indeed it's always nice to talk about hair too.
Thanks, Kevin!
I am enjoying this process and it doesn't define me, but does help to make the character easier to draw.
Shawn
Shawn, your photos are wonderful. The school setting suits you of course but the way you and the photographer worked together to show your playful side is perfect. Seeing your hair caught in motion is fascinating. Make sure your daughter knows the history of the frog squeezing shot, that is a great one for family history.
Elizabeth
I will have to do that. I get to spend a lot of tiome with Holly and most of it is wonderful. (She is four, though, and sometimes wants to get everything her own way - you know, like adults do.)
Thanks!
Shawn
Really cool photos Shawn!! He's a great photographer and you make a great model. I love the atmosphere in them. Your curls are certainly lengthening and look healthy. It's nice to hear that you now consider yourself a longhair.
Thanks, Jason. And someday, I might be lucky enough to have unmistakingly long hair - just as yours in unmistakably long.
Thanks!
Shawn
What fun ! Great photos....
Thanks for Sharing
Thanks!
Shawn
Those photos are fantastic. They look surreal and display your different character traits (first vs. second photo). However, the second one looks almost photoshopped. Are those all real or was there some modification to them? If those are real then WOW!
They are all real. I had the same response, thinkin that it looked so surreal that it must be photoshoped, but it really isn't. The lighting he used on an overcast day made me (the subject) look like I was too bright for the cloudy day (and the reflective yellow pavement paint shone, too). The effect is unique.
I will be sure to let the photographer know you like the shots.
Thanks again,
Shawn
Those are awesome shots, Shawn! They almost seem to have a surreal quality to them. Yes, you are certainly a longhair now. Take care, man. =)
-James
Thanks, James. You too.
Shawn
These are really great. And your hair is just coming in really nice. I guess by now, that the kidlets you teach are getting used to the ever increasing Manlocks® growing from your head.
Carol
The older students are simply coming to terms with my current look and only graduates that return for a visit to their old elementary school to see a "new" me are surprised (though always very supportive).
My JK and SK students have only known me with long hair and they comment on it a lot, but only in positive ways. I think they'd really consider it weird for me to show up with short hair.
Thanks for your complimentative post, Carol.
-Shawn
these pictures are awesome, shawn! i especially dig the hopscotch one. you have one of the most unusual and incredible faces i've ever seen. i'm not surprised this guy wanted to use you as a model - if you lived near me i'd use your face, too! and kudos for the side part (i'm a fan).
congrats on getting thru the awkward stage. the hair looks fantastic!
peace,
nic
So very kind, Nic. Thanks! I flop between side part and mid part, though if there are to be curls hanging over the forehead at all, it is a side part.
Thanks again,
Shawn
I didn't know you had a daughter Shawn or I had forgotten it if you mentioned it. Too many people and too many facts to remember :)
You are full of character, he got that right, and that isn't even your looks! I am glad that the photoshoot went well and that you both got something out of it.
Looks like we found America's Next Top Model :) The pictures were great Shawn, in that arty way that could be in GQ or Vanity Fair.
The jumping action shot with the hair was awesome, no short hair leaves a wake of hair like that behind him!
Hope all continues to be well with you and I am glad you are at least able to keep tabs on our adventures in hair and politics here at the MLHH :)
Thanks, I am glad, too. I was hesitant, but I am glad I did it.
Very flattering, Chris. Thanks.
I love having hair that moves!
Thanks. I liked you recent series, too, including your "this is how I normally look" with the hair behind the ears picture. (Did you ever get your hair into braids for Nic?)
Shawn
Great pictures interesting compositions and a great use of the light. I did check out David Redding's work and his work is very good and uses a great camera as well a Nikon D200.
Cheers,
John.B
His having so many pictures available to view gave me the confidence that this guy who emailed me unsolicited on myspace was an actual hotographer and could be trusted. I'll tell him he has fans on the MLHH.
Thanks,
Shawn
I love the hopscotch one. You look like you're having fun, and your hair looks really cool all up in the air like that. Neat opportunity.
Keep it growing,
Mouse
That was a fun picture to take because no matter how high I thought I was jumping and how much fun I thought it looked like I was having, Dave (the photographer) kept telling me to jump higher and to look like I was having fun. It started feeling so ridiculous that I just got giddy and silly and that's when he thought it was just right. It was a neat opportunity and I'd be sure to take him up on any future offers, too.
Thanks, Mouse.
Shawn
I like those images a lot Shawn, you look really different to how I've pictured you up till now. Great work and excellent hair - Bravo!!
Thanks, Dave!
Shawn
Brilliant pictures!!!
You make a really striking subject, and the photographer really knows what he's doing.
Thank you very much, Elektros. I was very happy that he found me and wanted to work with me. I appreciate your encouragement.
Shawn
This 'amateur' photographer is very creative. Good poses plus
he captured some of your personality.
Getting involved in his project, you definitely made the right decision.
Thanks for sharing these pics!
Thanks, Luckskind. I think it was a good decision, too.
Shawn
Thanks, Walter. I appreciate it.
Shawn