That’s what her mom overheard her saying in her bedroom to her girlfriend the night before our session was to take place.
“Yea, my mom’s making me take pictures tomorrow.”
“Really? My mom neeever makes me do that.”
Mom tagged onto the end of the story, “Oh, and they stayed up really late so she’s a bit sleep deprived and grumpy.”
The last thing photographers want is a sleepy child, a hungry child or a just plain ol’ “I’m having a grumpy day” child. Yet, I decided I’d take on this session as a challenge.
Oh, I’ll change her mind. Photo sessions are FUN! Her bff is gonna be wishing she could have come!
So, I took E away with me by ourselves (which I’ve found works quite well … when parents aren’t around kids tend to be more cooperative).
“Wanna go on an adventure?!”
“Yea!”
“Okay then, let’s find the coolest places around to take photos!”
Now, of course her first picked place had the worst lighting ever so I simply took a few photos and then told her we were moving on in our adventure!
Next stop proved to be much better …
Woh. This child is gorgeous.
And, then we saw it. The bedroom with the great lighting and big bed AND as a super bonus – a mirror behind me so that she could laugh at herself!
“Okay, I have the *biggest* treat ever! Are you up for it?” “Yea!” “Now, this is a super-special-can-only-be-done-while-having-your-photos-taken-treat, okay?”
I quickly prepped the bed, prepped my camera and then told her we were gonna take pictures IN BED! “Can you hardly believe it!?” She could not stop giggling and I knew I was changing her perception on photo sessions with one “special” treat at a time.
About a half hour later, Mom sent me this text:
“E told me her favorite part of the day was pictures. You beat b-day party and the pool … guess, it’s not “lame” now.”
Mission accomplished.
