I understand

Often at sessions, when parents are getting a little stressed about clothes or the kids' behavior, I tell them not to worry, but I usually get the vibe that they don't believe me. Believe me. I understand. You hunt and hunt for the perfect outfits... get everyone's hair cut and beg for loose teeth to stay in place... debate the perfect location, schedule it on a day and time when everyone will be in the best possible moods... then finally the session arrives and you cross your fingers and put yourself at the mercy of your children. And it almost always ends with beautiful, touching photographs that make the perfect holiday card... the perfect gift for family & friends... and even the perfect gift to yourself to hang in your living room for all to see.

Then again, sometimes it ends like this:


In which case you remind yourself why photographers' children are rarely photographed. :)