How to make an 8 year old smile

[movingex]

Whip him!

Yep that's right, give him a good old fashioned whipping.

Does it work? No.

But that's what this kid's mother did. I was taking some youth football team and individual pictures last week and this one kid was obviously not having a good day.

So his mom yelled at him and threatened him to get him to smile. When that didn't work she went ahead and whipped him - to motivate him to smile.

I wish I could show you all the resulting picture but I'm sure it would get me in trouble.

I couldn't believe it, but it happened. I'd never seen that particular approach before.

[Howard Barlow]

I hate daddies. Hate 'em. With 1 or 2 exceptions, in the last 30 years, if Daddy came to the portrait session, he wanted to be sure I knew he was in control. It didn't matter if the kid was 2 or a senior, he was Master of his domain.

I always tell parents, "kids do not need to behave while here, please let me handle them, even if it looks like they are acting up." Well, in steps dear old Dad, at his first chance.

First, he is demanding his child behave. I tell him it is ok, as I have a plan that works. That just fuels him. The more the child cries, the worse Daddy gets, to the point of whipping the child.

For the first 10 years, I would politely suggest we reschedule, as the child is done for the day. I would, quietly, ask Mom not to bring Dad back. She would always be embarassed at Dad, and mad at him.

But, I ultimately adopted a new attitude. I valued my time, even if Dad didn't. Once he had the kid red-faced and crying, I would, while looking at Mom, not so politely say, "Well, that really helps the situation. We will need to reschedule, but Dad will need to stay home, or you will have to select another photographer. This is a waste of everyone's time."

Of course, I never saw most of them again. My plan worked.

[SweetFeetPhotography]

How horrible. I refuse to allow that sort of thing around me. If that's something they think they need to do, they can find a different photographer.

[loana0320]

whoa.... I am not sure how I would have handle myself

[movingex]

Originally Posted by SweetFeetPhotography

How horrible. I refuse to allow that sort of thing around me. If that's something they think they need to do, they can find a different photographer.

It was one of those things that you see happening but you don't believe it's happening and then it's over before you realize what just happened.