Part i: The Lion vs The Bull: "Melady 1 :: Sally 0"

Before I get to a clients house for a photo shoot, I always imagine it to be a breakthrough session. I meet the child, we instantly connect and our energies melt together creating magic. As I enter their sacred world we play, we dance, we laugh and ultimately we become best friends. Usually I'm on target but on rare occasions it doesn't always go as smoothly as it does in my fantasy.

I often find myself telling parents that I can crack the best of 'em but in the case of the sassy Miss Melady I had met my match. This tough Lil' Taurus wouldn't have any part of me or my camera--just like her mamma had warned. As she buried her face in the couch I immediately realized this was not a job for the weak or scrawny.

I rolled up my sleeves, let down my hair and got down to her level--literally. I tried introducing her to my camera telling her that SHE could take pictures of her toys--no luck. I racked my brain for jokes appropriate for a 3 yr old and actually found a few--not even a giggle. I told her I could see Dora the Explorer in her ears and Sponge Bob up her nose--she looked at me like I was crazy. Then in a panic I picked up her favorite dolly, threw it on the floor and said, "Take that Cupcake, if Melady doesn't play with me you'll pay the price"--she lifted her head, glanced at her beaten doll and exploded with laughter. That's it, I was 'in'--she finally went for the bait, now I all I had to do was reel her in.

We painted, we colored, we even did our own makeup. Slowly she allowed me into her world and for a split second I thought I had broken down her wall--her eyes gleamed, her smile brightened and her heart steadily warmed. I took pride in my accomplishment, as any Leo would and began to shoot away! Then in the blink of an eye I lost her. In a moment of carefree play she stumbled over my camera, lost her balance and became uneasy. The trust I had worked so hard to gain vanished into thin air and there I stood; a stranger once again!! No matter what I tried she shot me down and within 10 minutes my gorgeous little starlet had a melt down.

This minor set back won't get me down. We're set to re-shoot next month so be prepared Miss Melady--you may have won the battle but you won't win the war. The greatest ammunition a warrior can have is KNOWING THEIR ENEMY, so BEWARE......bwhaaaa bwhaaaaa bwhaaaaa!!