Model Toddler

I do not know how professional photographers do it. I mean, I see their websites, with these beautiful, natural, happy-looking toddlers making eye contact with the camera. We've even sprung for a few sessions, and I'm lucky enough to have a few photographer friends who have captured my kids on film in exchange for some of my handiwork, and when I watch them at their work, they make it seem so effortless! I observe their subtle tricks they use to get the kids to act natural in front of the camera, but I just can't seem to pick up on those skills with my own kids. Most of the time, when I pull out the camera, they make faces, tell me to put it away, run off--some things that professional photographers seem to be able to turn into magic moments, but in my hands end up in the trash file.

However, sometimes I have no choice but to bite the bullet and stage a photo session with the kids. Like today. I have been busting my butt to get a huge batch of spring headbands, including several new designs and color combos, out to the stores that I sell in. I also have a goal of revamping my sad, sad etsy store. So I dragged my white sheet out to the front porch, laid out the various headbands Little Sister would need to model, and got down to business.

Dahlia in orange and red

Of course, she was interested in sitting in front of the sheet for about five minutes.

Pansy in orange, shocking pink, and magenta

I did manage a few shots that seem to work (show off the headband without too many distractions), but I keep getting distracted by also wanting to have the best photo of my kid.

Double notched feather in white, marigold, and orange

Also, I just don't have the equipment or know-how to capture the quick-moving toddler in the quick-changing light that is a Portland February afternoon consistently.

Double notched feather in turquoise, grass green, and royal blue

She really was a trooper though--she let me keep on switching out the headbands and chasing her around, she got distracted by kitties and birds long enough for me to get pictures of her NOT moving, she never cried, etc.

Posy in mustard and ivory with olive green leaf

However, while she was making me chase her in circles around our miniscule patch of front grass, I found (with my FOOT, since I was 100% focused on staring down the barrel of that camera) a huge pile of someone else's dog's droppings. And that dog was not well. It was foul, friends. There was slippage. I will not show you a picture. Thankfully, I don't know how, but Little Sister never landed in it, and that girl was all over the place! That was how I knew it was time for the photo shoot to be over.

But I will tell you that for the rest of the afternoon, Little Sister was repeating, "Soopa yucky. Ousside." That's right, my girl.

Peony in dark purple with ivory, baby pink with white,
Magenta with ivory, and magenta with baby pink.

All pictured designs available on my website, www.sewbabycrafts.com.

Need Portland-area photographer recommendations?  I know some great ones!  Just ask!