Morgan

Ever since I was young, I have been a kid magnet. Out at restaurants, in church, strolling down grocery aisles, no matter the place, kids would find me. Maybe it was because I indulged in their games of peek-a-boo smiles and look-aways, or maybe it was because I just paid attention to them. Whatever the case, kids have always loved me. So, when I became a photographer, I thought kids would be my easiest-to-please clients.

I couldn’t have been more wrong!

And I blame it all on the mobile phone. With mobile phone cameras becoming more sophisticated by the second, parents take oodles and oodles of photos of their kids with these handheld devices. Kids have no clue what cameras look like anymore. A big black object with a seemingly hollowed lens protruding from the front pointed in your face might scare you too. It could easily resemble a lethal weapon to a child. Because of this, I make it a habit during sessions with young children to show them the back of the camera. That usually eases their minds as they now see that it does the same thing as Mommy and Daddy’s phones. It also leads to big smiles for the camera.

But not for Miss Morgan.

It seemed as if she knew exactly what I was trying to do and was going to beat me at this game. She quite adorably ignored each and every one of my attempts to make her laugh. She sat down in her chair and literally had a tea party in the middle of the park, in the middle of winter mind you. And as cute as she is, she did not crack so much as a smirk, let alone a smile for the camera.  Until…

It happened.

Thanks to a puppy passerby named Larry and some mommy shenanigans (cookies, juice, dancing, confetti, and of course “Baby Shark”), Morgan smiled and laughed (and what a sweet smile it was)! I knew she couldn’t keep up the stoic act forever. I give her props, though, because she held on for a long time. Acting might just be in the future for this little cutie!

Morgan, thank you for tolerating the cold and me and my camera to make your mom happy. Photos of her precious baby girl will make her smile, although she is sad you’re growing up faster than ever!