The Roar Of The Lion

During my trip back home last week I learned something that I had a strong suspicion about, I don't ever want to be a baby photographer. Thanks to my niece Annabelle for helping learn this lesson.

Now me saying my niece taught me this lesson doesn't mean she made me miserable, it was actually fun. I really enjoyed spending time with my niece, even during the photo above. But the thought of dealing with strangers cranky babies brings a very unhappy look on my face.

The point of the shoot were to get photos for the invitations for her first birthday party. Little belles momma was hoping to get a nice shot in her lion costume with the pumpkin, hay bail, and flowers. Belle was not going to have any of it. She would look so happy, then once the costume went on, she would start crying (maybe she was trying to do her best lion impersonation?).

Then you do all you can to try and make baby happy, find yourself making all sorts of strange noises and saying words in goofy ways (which neighbors next door must of thought there was a couple of really drunk adults just freaking out). I also noticed I tend to talk to babies the same way I talk to dogs (something I'm gonna try not to do anymore), "that's a gooood girl!", "over here girl, come on", etc.

After about a two hour attempt we tried to let her take a nap and hoped when she would wake up with a much better mood, but that wasn't the case.

After awhile of doing anything to entice her to smile we finally gave up and momma let her have naked time, which I learned my niece is a big fan of.

So, after finally getting a good mood from her, but afraid to put clothes on her and make her cranky again, mom grabbed belles tub filled it with water and set it in front of the hay/pumpkin set. Belle finally gave lots of smiles and joyful noises as we let her sit in the tub and splash the water, and we got some great shots.

While I'll never want to photograph other folks babies, I'll always be happily willing to photograph/hangout with my own niece. Below is a nice shot I was able to get after the day was done.