Five portraits that define my son at fifteen – a personal portrait project by a St Albans photographer
Every year brings new changes, new phases and new versions of who my son is becoming. Fifteen feels like a significant one – a mix of confidence, curiosity, independence and the occasional teenage mood. As a portrait photographer, I wanted to capture this age through five images that reflect who he is right now: his hobbies, his interests and the milestones that mark this stage of his life. It's also a reminder of what personal portrait projects can do that snapshots on a phone simply can't.
1. Braces and bravery – photographing an incredible smile
Not only does he have a great smile, he has a great set of braces to show off.
He really didn't want them. At fifteen, being told you'll need braces for two years isn't exactly top of anyone's wish list. He felt self-conscious and sceptical that his teeth would "sort themselves out." After a lot of gentle persuasion and encouragement, he finally agreed – and now, several months on, he's comfortable, confident and smiling proudly. This portrait captures that transformation: not just the braces, but the confidence to grin without worrying what others think.
2. Earning the black belt – a portrait of persistence
After seven years of karate, he finally earned his black belt – but not without a few detours. Covid knocked his motivation, and at one point he gave it up completely. Months later, out of the blue, he came into the lounge one evening and said he wanted to go back and finish what he'd started. That moment showed real maturity and self-determination. The portrait shows him proudly wearing his gi and black belt – not just as a martial artist, but as a symbol of persistence and self-belief.
3. Competitive swimming – portrait photography and passion
A swimmers look – focused and determined.
He's been in the water since he was six months old. From baby swimming lessons to competitive training, swimming has been a constant thread running through his life. He trains hard, enters competitions and keeps at it with quiet determination – even though he's not the tallest in the pool. This portrait captures that focus: goggles in hand, poolside, the calm before diving in. It's not just about competition, but commitment, fitness and the joy of being in the water.
The drummer – capturing movement in a teenage portrait
Practice, practice practice. This multi-exposure image captures the determination of a young boy learning his musical instrument.
At six, he got a toy drum kit from next door. We thought it'd last five minutes. Instead, it sparked something that's still going strong nearly ten years later. From wooden spoons to drumsticks, toy kits to full acoustic setups, he's now an accomplished drummer – playing in school bands, performing at open-air concerts and working through grade seven. This portrait is loud, energetic and full of rhythm. The hair, the sticks, the motion blur. It captures not just his musical ability, but the raw passion and energy that fills the room when he plays.This is exactly the kind of storytelling I bring to personal branding shoots.
5. Gaming and growing up – honest teenage portrait photography
Game face on, zoned out in his own world.
If he's not drumming, swimming or at school, he's almost certainly in front of a screen. Whether it's a phone, a console or a computer, the digital world is where he connects, competes and switches off – just like most teenagers his age. As his parents, we still romanticise bike rides, dens in the woods and afternoons lost to Lego. But the honest truth is, this is what growing up looks like now. This portrait catches him mid-game: hooded up, headset on, controller in hand – focused, locked in, completely elsewhere. It's a window into his world, one shaped just as much by pixels and online teammates as by everything else that makes him who he is.
As a photographer and a dad, this project reminded me how quickly things change. These five portraits don't just show what my son looks like at fifteen – they show who he is at fifteen. One day, they'll serve as a window back to this exact moment: braces, drums, swimming goggles, karate belts and glowing screens.
Portraits aren't just pictures. They're records of our stories.
Interested in a personal portrait project of your own? I'm based in St Albans and work with families, teenagers and individuals across Hertfordshire and London.Find out more.