Portrait adventures!

Several times a year, I become a glutton for punishment.  I return for every holiday, birthday, and major occasion.  For some reason, I can never be satisfied with the countless snapshots I take of my children.  I want the portraits on "fancy" matte paper taken by someone other than myself.  I put days of planning into these excursions, ensuring that clothes, accessories, nails and hair are as good as they can be.  I try to predict what roadblocks my kiddies might put up on the road to picture perfection and ways to bypass the problems.  I come prepared with favorite toys, snacks and other small bribes to ease the situation.  Yes, I have pictures of smiling faces with m&ms or Swedish fish visible to the trained eyes.  I think this little quirk simply adds to the memory.  I don't want perfection, but I do want nice, happy pictures to remember these moments of childhood.  Today we were briskly greeted at the door and presented with a long, specific list of required shots for today's session.  I resisted the urge to laugh in her face and say good luck.  Instead, I  advised her to be flexible with her order in order to get more cooperation.  I admitted that my little angel might not remain an angel. These are my kids and I do have some insight to their behavior and quirks.  I looked at the chairs and told her that "thinking chairs" could save the day.  She ignored me, obviously irritated by my interference because she knew best.  Chairs did not belong her Easter shots!  I was told to stay far to the side as to not interfere with the lighting.  I visually confirmed his safety in the room, stepped aside as ordered, and let the show begin.  She would tell him to stand somewhere, place him where she envisioned, walk away to take the shot and realize that he had not only moved, but was trying to flee the room by that point.  Once I thought she might get a shot, but she ignored his cooperation to tell princess to cross her ankles.  Priorities! The moment was lost, as little man ran for the hallway.  She tried repeatedly to get him to stand with his feet perfect next to his sister.  It was hopeless, and by now he sensed her frustration and viewed it as a game, gleefully running off the background when she moved away. We had passed the point of  success.  Finally, she relented and used a "thinking chair."  She was stunned as she watched his demeanor change.  He eagerly raced over, climbed up, and beamed at the camera.  Now I watched her gather chairs from various nooks and crannies to add variation to the shots.  Perhaps this interfering, controlling mother might know something.  The session rapidly concluded and was quite successful.  It also followed the exact order that I had tried to suggest in the beginning.  Imagine that!  Fortunately, no blood or tears were shed at today's session...only laughs and scampering feet.  It is possible that the managing forces behind these required shots should rethink their rigid requirements and allow parents to help when able.  It might alleviate frustration and allow them to actually function on their schedule.  I am sure that many say that it is my fault that my two year old will not stand still upon command, perhaps it is.  Or perhaps we should all try to learn to live more freely and express our own individuality.  Maybe we would all be happier in a thinking chair instead of standing on a little taped square because that is what others think is best.  Best might be a little different for some.