Hello, my son is very interested in puppetry, and puppeteering. He will be turning thirteen in April. I'm looking for some inspiring pictures, or notes from successful puppeteers. I am wondering if it's possible to receive a picture of you with your troupe, and possibly a small note. He is already researching colleges for puppeteering. Anything you could do, or send would be fantastic! Thank you,

I'm a bit busy right now and may post more later, but for starters I recommend http://puppetvisionmovie.com/
It's probably the best puppetry blog and chock full of things to inspire.

Puppeteers of America (puppeteers.org) and UNIMA USA (unima-usa.org) have guilds and meetings and festivals and magazines and online info, which I have no doubt he'll be interested in.

If you want more pics there's a good blog for that here:
http://community.livejournal.com/_puppets_/

He's also more than welcome to download a ridiculously large selection of puppetry bookmarks that I have posted here:
http://www.schoolofpuppetry.com.au/media/puppetrybookmarks.html

Another documentary I recommend is Being Elmo: A Puppeteers Journey.  That is what got me on this track. 

As for receiving something, I am just starting in puppet videos and am looking for ideas to work with.  If you had a message you wanted to convey to your son, I would be willing to film it with a puppet.

Thank you so much for all the help! I'll look into all of that, and get back to you later, my son is over my shoulder now lol

I also just finished reading the Jim Henson biography, which was amazing and inspiring.  It's a big read - almost 500 pages - but it made the puppet lover in me leap for joy with every delightful chapter.

We watched being Elmo together, it was very inspirational. I'll definitely look for the Henson book, I just read about it today!

Fair warning - the final chapter had me sobbing like a baby.  But it's excellent.

When he turns 13 you should have him sign up here at Puppets and Stuff. We are a friendly bunch and love helping out new puppeteers.  We are protective of our membership and knowing he is under age will try and keep an eye out for him. Not to mention you have an account so can keep a look out also.   The reason I mention 13 is because that is the "legal" age he can join on-line forums. At least that is the guidelines here in the US.

It sounds to me also from your post that you where perhaps hoping to get some actual pictures from puppeteers with notes that you could present to him on his birthday as a surprise.  Am I correct?

Yes, you were correct. I'm looking for pictures etc for him. I'd like to set up a mini workshop for him with a wall of fame, framed inspirational photos of other puppeteers.

We did an all-puppet 1950s sci-fi film a little while back called It Came from Uranus.  Perhaps that might be something of interest for you.