she's at that age~so here's a tip

oh

you know

that goofy age

when they look at you with a smile that you've never seen before

that isn't them

at all

~

yet

they're smart enough to escape the candid shots

you're trying so hard to get

well

that's my sweet and adorable niece right now

~

so

i went outside with her

and

told her she had to smile with her eyes

and

that her lips had to stay closed

~

for adults

this is easy

but

children have a hard time

not smiling

~there must be a lesson here~

anyhow

the next time you're with a child whose smile is

"not them"

ask them to smile with their eyes

~

the few moments it will take them to try to understand what you're asking for

will usually end up being the best time to grab some shots

~

after that

those little smarty pants will figure out something else

to not look like themselves

~