The photo was inspired by an actual photo from about 1910 taken of an immigrant family as they arrived in New York City. The little boy in the picture was actually about 5 years old - Alex is only 3. He was sitting on the suitcase much like Alex is, only the suitcase was sitting upright. As Alex is much smaller than the boy in the original picture, his feet didn't come anywhere near the ground that way, so the case was laid on its side to compensate.

This picture has some special meaning to our family, as two of Alex's great-grandparents arrived in Ellis Island at about 1915 from Slovenia.

Alex had a really great time having his photo taken for the album. His mother had fun, too, but learned just how difficult it can be to get a 3-year old boy to model!

He loved the hat - but really hated the authentic 1915 wool suit. (How could any parent actually get their kids to wear those things, anyhow?)

He liked sitting on the suitcase - but really thought his hand ought to be holding onto that canvas bag next ought to be holding onto that canvas bag next to him.

After the third Polaroid (to check the lighting) he decided that was enough and kept getting up, saying, "That's a wrap!"

But the biggest problem was that Alex just could not understand why anyone would smile with their mouth closed. He argued with us! He refused to close his mouth for the picture. Well, his patient photographer eventually got a few shots with the mouth closed, but then we had to coordinate the legs in the correct position, the head tilted just so, the hand off that bag...!

(The next day an actor friend of mine said we should have given him a piece of hard candy to suck on... he would have kept his mouth closed to keep from losing it. Thanks, Joanne, we'll bring you along next time!)


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