I have already shared some more serious portraits that my talented photographer friend Cindy Dyer took of me during a photo shoot last month. She is amazing. After we had finished the more formal shots, we decided to try some action shots to show off my special Pride edition high-top Converse All-Star sneakers (plus a turquoise low-top pair that I own). As you can see, I was having a lot of fun being a little silly. Be sure to click through to Cindy’s original posting to see all three fun photos.
© Cindy Dyer. All rights reserved.
When Michael P. and I were doing our fun portrait session last month in our shared studio, we decided to “loosen up” and get some silly shots. We were trying to decide how to show up the shoes (especially the soles) and not just by him sitting down. So the ever-energetic Michael came up with jumping and I must say I tired him out after about 20 shots! I told him to pretend he was a Rockette dancer and he should be very proud that he can kick his leg up THAT high at 66 years old (and in a suit, no less)! We knew the background wouldn’t hold his tall frame (especially when jumping that high), so we decided to share these anyway—consider them behind-the-scenes studio shots! Also, I’m not known for action shots, so there will be a technical learning curve if…
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Mike Powell 
Great fun! And boy, you can kick that leg up high!
In a couple of weeks I will turn 67 and I am happy that I am still in decent enough shape to do crazy things like this photo shoot. When I was younger, I used to run full-length marathons, completing, 12 of them and also played some basketball and soccer (football). I have slowed down a bit, but still seem to have higher energy than many of my peers. 🙂
That is impressive! One of drawbacks of living afloat is insufficient exercise. We do best when we are out diving but still we need to do more.
That’s super cool!
The turquoise low tops! Takes Chuck Taylor to a whole new level 👍👍
You should check out the Converse website sometime, Ted. It is amazing how many different colors and patterns are now available for the Chuck Taylors–I seem to remember them in only black and white when I was growing up, though there might have been a couple more colors available.
Oh, to have such energy and flexibility!
(And that turquoise shirt!)
Thanks, Jazz. I used to be a marathon runner, though that is now more of a memory than a current reality, and have always had a pretty high level of energy. As for flexibility, I surprised myself a bit at how high I got my leg when trying to show off the sole of the sneaker. The turquoise shirt was actually one that Cindy gave to me. If was a man’s shirt from a Marc Anthony collection that she bought for herself but did not like the way that it fit her and immediately thought of me. 🙂
Love all the bright colors! Brings sunshine indoors. 🏖
Bright colors are definitely fun, Suzette, and Cindy did a wonderful job capturing my energy and enthusiasm, especially in my smile.
Yes, she did.👍
Impressive kick, Mike!
Thanks, Eliza. I surprised myself little by the height that I was able to achieve. I was aiming mostly to provide a good view of the soul and definitely achieved that goal. 🙂
Your soul definitely shows, Mike. 🙂
Star performer!
Sometimes it is fun to let down your hair and act a little silly. Of course, “letting down my hair” for me was a metaphorical act and not a literal one. 🙂
Those shoes are awesome!
When I first saw the rainbow sneakers advertised on the Converse website, I knew I had to get a pair of them. I decided not to wear them until we had gotten some photos and now that is done, I can sport them in public.
I realy like your All-Star sneakers, it’s was the only way to show us the great colors 😉
Thanks, Rudi. Those sneakers were a fun way to show off almost all the colors of the rainbow.
Glad to see another from this series, Mike. You and Cindy do know how to have fun. 🙂
During the year of pandemic restrictions, Cindy, her husband Michael, and I made up our own little pod and we did a lot of things together. We are pretty comfortable together and encourage each other in our creative pursuits.
You’ll look back at that photo a few years from now and be amazed that you could ever get you leg up that high! 🙂
Like most aging people, I am in a bit of denial about the degree to which I will inevitably slow down and have limits to my mobility and flexibility. I figure I must as well enjoy it while I still have it, while being careful not to do it. Amazingly I did not pull any muscles or even end up sore from my “performance.” 🙂
All three photos are such fun and are chock-full of colour and personality. I am impressed by your flexibility too.
Thanks so much, Laura. I have a friend who is a yoga instructor and her first question for me after seeing the photos was to ask if I had warmed up first. I had not, but I am in relatively decent shape, mainly from all of the walking around that I do with my camera. I think that a sense of humor is really important and that people need to be able to laugh at themselves–that’s one of the reasons why I was ok with sharing photos that make me look a little silly. 🙂