In portrait paintings of the 17th & 18th centuries, the subject sometimes held a small book or sheaves of papers, artifacts of their profession. For Michael’s shoot we started with an idea of having him hold written comments to present to the City Council representing his advocacy and policy concerns in our local government. The wet suit was an afterthought. But while wearing his well worn wetsuit and telling stories to Sisto about experiences on the ocean, Michael forgot about the camera and we captured his joy for adventures in the surf.