Photo Shoot With Francesco - The Only Smile

Francesco and I have been hanging out together this last week before he goes to Kindergarten (gulp). I had planned on doing a lot of outside activities, but atlas the rain - which I am so over- has put a kink in those plans. One day we had a few hours where it was not raining and so I decided to try and get some pictures of him. I did not want to take pictures in or around our house, I am so tired of the walls in my house right now. A short walk up the road is a building with brick walls and a cinder block wall on the other side. Seemed like an ideal place, which it was. My subject wasn't ideal though. This one picture of him with a smile is the only one out of 300 shots... the only one.





What I learned about doing a photo shoot with a 5 year old.
1 Bring more props. All I had was a point and shoot camera and a thing of bubbles.
2. Learn how to bribe well. I will give you a cookie is not sufficient for a 5 year old, it has to be more like I will let you drink a whole Orange Soda or I will get you a pack of Pokemon Cards.
3. Don't lug your tri-pod because a 5 year old doesn't stand still long enough for you to even put the camera on it.
4. Never tell them to smile, if you do be prepared to get the cheesiest smile that they won't be able to get rid of for the rest of the shoot.
5. When you say "chin up a little" expect them to look to the heavens, "chin down a little" gets you the opposite, there is no in between to them.
6. Don't even try to suggest a pose, it's just not going to happen.
7. Take a lot of shots and cross your fingers you get a few you like.
8. It's hard work!