My son, David, turned sixteen this week. Each year he wants me to create a few portraits for his birthday. So much happens in a year! He is learning how to drive, he got a job, he began studying Historical European Swordsmanship, and he even took his first college tour! For his portraits to celebrate turning 16, he described the look he wanted: serious, urban, casual, and stylish, along with one look with his practice sword. He chose the gray hand-painted backdrop, and even showed me the kind of lighting he wanted. These are his favorite portraits.
![A casual portrait of a 16-year-old boy, leaning against a gray, hand-painted backdrop, wearing a blue waistcoat](https://maundymitchell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Plymouth-NH-Portrait-Photographer-Maundy-Mitchell-a-casual-portrait-of-a-sixteen-year-old-boy_0092-576x720.jpg)
![A casual portrait of a 16-year-old boy, leaning against a gray, hand-painted backdrop, wearing a blue waistcoat](https://maundymitchell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Plymouth-NH-Portrait-Photographer-Maundy-Mitchell-a-casual-portrait-of-a-sixteen-year-old-boy_0091-576x720.jpg)
![A portrait of a 16-year-old boy, wearing a blue waistcoat, holding a practice sword](https://maundymitchell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Plymouth-NH-Portrait-Photographer-Maundy-Mitchell-a-casual-portrait-of-a-sixteen-year-old-boy-holding-a-practice-sword_0093-576x720.jpg)