MAX CARRASCO (14)

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO DO THIS PROJECT? I felt that it would be a good chance to discover photography and discover with more depth how I feel about my dad's illness.

WHAT ONE WORD DESCRIBES YOU BEST. "C'est la vie"

IF YOU WERE AN ANIMAL, WHAT WOULD YOU BE? A panda.

IF YOU WERE MAROONED ON AN ISLAND, WHAT THREE THINGS WOULD YOU WANT TO HAVE WITH YOU? The Complete Works of Joseph Conrad, iPod and box of matches.

WHAT IS THE ONE THING THAT PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED TO FIND OUT ABOUT YOU? I play a lot of music... like a lot every day ..."BASSMAN"

WHAT IS MOST "SPECIAL" TO YOU ABOUT YOUR PARENT? No matter how well something is done my dad always knows that there is room for improvement. When I practice my bass he will tell me that I did a good job but there is always something that could be improved. I also wish that I had his perfect pitch like him.

IN WHAT WAY HAS HAVING A PARENT WITH CANCER CHANGED YOUR LIFE? Now I know how tens of thousands of people feel when a parent has cancer. It's brought me closer to my dad. When he tells me he is going to MGH, I get bummed out because he is usually out for a week. I guess I feel my dad and I shouldn't be apart this long.


MOISES CARRASCO III (MAX'S DAD)

DESCRIBE SOMETHING THAT YOU LEARNED ABOUT YOUR CHILD WHILE YOUR PORTRAIT WAS BEING TAKEN AND WHAT IT MEANT TO BE PHOTOGRAPHED BY HIM/HER.
When your child looks so much like you and the rest of your family, it's easy to take for granted that their way of thinking or their approaches to solving problems are similar to yours. As I watched Max take on the Project: Tomorrow assignment, I could see just how differently he thought about, executed and completed his project. Max is a free-form thinker. He's perfectly comfortable to let the moment "happen" as opposed to my analytic tendency to research and plan. He eschewed external suggestions, sticking to his vision. Another difference is his ability to remain "internal" in his views - not wanting to discuss his vision or his thoughts about how he wanted the shots to look.

When Paul came to Haverhill to photograph Max and me, I was glad that Max got to see how the artistic process works. The photographer has to use the elements of light, shadow and composition to make an image that communicates. Paul gave us directions and, as subjects, we became part of his vision. It is deeply meaningful for me that Max will remember this experience and may even draw on it as an inspiration in the future.

WHAT IS THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT LEARNING EXPERIENCE THAT YOU HAVE SHARED WITH YOUR CHILD, SINCE BEING DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER?
My son and I share a love of good music. He's been with his same teacher since 2nd grade and has shown remarkable growth as a performer and interpreter of jazz and classical music. I have worked with Max in his rehearsing and preparations. Max had several important auditions and recitals during the time when I was being treated in hospital. He worked on his own preparation on his pieces and did an incredible job, the pinnacle being his selection as principal bass of the Junior District Orchestra. It was a proud moment for me to realize that he has learned how to be "his own teacher."

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