Seeing their son on the cover of an L.L. Bean 100th anniversary catalog has brought lots of excitement, and some insight into the creative process, to one Hanson family.

The outdoor outfitters catalog company contracted noted photographer Randal Ford to reproduce some of its memorable past covers — selected by customers as particular favorites. The company’s Web site features a video on how the project was done, including the use of clothing archives and photo retouching to provide the look of the original art.

“We wanted to pay homage to some of our classic covers from the past through photography, really trying to bring those to life,” said Creative Director Vice President Marcia Minter in the video. “The ones we have chosen are ones he have heard, time after time after time, that they are favorites. They also happen to be the ones with the most amount of wit and the most story embedded in the actual image.”

Nolen Smith, 10, had the look that L.L. Bean wanted as they reproduced the 1933 cover of their spring catalog. 

Smith’s cover recreates an image of an older gentleman, clad in Downeast Maine sportsmen’s attire, complete with L.L. Bean’s iconic rain and fishing gear, as he buys the catch of the day from a boy, portrayed by Smith, attired more simply in overalls and boots.

Nolen is the third of Beth Donahue-Smith and husband Chris Smith’s four children and is, his parents say, an average fifth-grader. He has two sisters and a brother. 

They had a pleasant surprise when they saw their son on the cover.

“Oh my gosh. He got the cover!” said Donahue- Smith in recalling her reaction on seeing her son’s photo. “That’s so cool!  It’s really amazing how much he looks like the original boy on the 1933 cover.”

Nolen’s reaction was more subdued, according to his mom.

“Is that me? Hey cool! Can I have a snack?” she recalled him saying.

He has evidently taken the catalogue shoot in stride, but was excited and thrilled when he found out he had been chosen. 

“He is the kind of laid-back kid who gets excited, then says, ‘What’s next?’” said Donahue-Smith.

The modeling opportunity occurred through a chain of events after sister Devyn, 12, who models at Fashion Focus with Maria Wood in Pembroke, had an interview. They wanted her to do modeling with an agency, added Donahue-Smith. Nolen went along for the ride. Wood saw him and mentioned the idea of Nolen modeling also.

Having experience with a half-dozen local theater productions, he is far from shy and loves the stage. His mother said the Maria Wood staff arranged for professional shots with local photographer Steven David Roberts for them to take along in their portfolio interviews, and followed with their connection into Model Club Inc., in Boston.

In August, the Smiths had a meet-and-greet, or go-see, with the owner of Model Club Inc. The interview is in a setting, which allows them to see the personality of the child while assessing poise and talent. Nolen was chosen since they were looking for boy models, according to Donahue-Smith.

Clients who work with the modeling company then review a portfolio of recent photos when they are looking for a particular model. L.L. Bean saw the headshots of Smith — who may have caught their eye with his bright blue eyes and ginger hair, she added. He bears a close resemblance to the boy in the original cover art.

By late September they were on their way with only a few minutes to make an impression at the casting call. Smith was issued a number and, as with each child at the casting, had a few quick photos taken. 

“They are interested in seeing the child’s personality, they chit-chat and watch their facial expressions,” Donahue-Smith said. “It is a very short time. They either like you or not depending on what they are looking for.”

Five or six days later she got a call asking whether Nolen was available to be in Acadia National Park near Bar Harbor, Maine for a photo shoot. 

The shoot, one of two features on the making-of video at llbean.com, was interesting to watch, according to Donahue-Smith. The scene was set in the river in an area of Acadia on the edge of a pond. The photographers were actually sitting in the water, according to Donahue- Smith

“It was really fascinating,” she said.

Photographers and crew dressed in wading pants and boots slopped around in the water setting up equipment to capture just the right lighting and angles.

“There is a lot of paying attention to really fine details, little elements of the shot that really tell the story,” Ford said in the making-of video.

There are fees and contracts involved in modeling and Donahue–Smith knows that not every call will turn out to be an acceptance, but she was pleased that as a first casting call he had grand success.

“There are so many kids out there and really you have to fit a niche,” she said. “It was an honor and privilege for him to be considered.  L.L. Bean is an amazing company. They are a class act and the typical Americana. It gave him a boost of confidence and it is a story he will remember for the rest of his life.”