Sadly, a simple photo can't really convey everything it took to get the photo. I shot a birthday party today, and knew this was a shot I had to get. The young lady had no interest in having her photo taken, so I knew it was going to be a long trek.
At first, I made it clear she didn't have to have her photo taken. I chatted with her grandparents a bit. I tried to engage her like I do other kids. No interest. On to other things.
Awhile later, I noticed she was holding a dinosaur. That was the start of the thaw. I talked to her about dinosaurs, and quickly found out they're her favorites.
I did the usual. I was silly. And snapped a pic occasionally, nothing special. Ignoring a kid is a great way to get their attention, so I did that, too.
As the afternoon progressed, I bumped into her again, and she was climbing through a tunnel in a jungle gym. She was eyeballing the camera, and I knew I'd have my shot. I asked her to act like a dinosaur, and she did. Between snarls, I got her. No forced smile. Just simple calm.
I get the feeling a parent could take a thousand photos of their kid and not get one like this. I hope they like it when they see it.
