I Was That Mom...Again

Today was my boys' much anticipated photo session with Amanda Traywick. The session was at 1, but I started getting ready at 9. I didn't want to risk being late. So I got ready, got the boys ready (gave Tristan repeated warnings not to fro the curls), fed Asher, and headed out the door. On the way to the studio, I asked him and got several confirmations from him on what to do. He assured me he would look at Mrs. Amanda's camera and smile. He was so convincing, I actually started to believe him. Then we got there, and the session began...
Let me just begin this part of the post by praising Amanda. She is fabulous and has the patience of a saint. My Tristan becomes a totally different person when the camera comes out. He's kind of like Jekyl and Hyde. He's happy and vibrant until the memory catcher comes out...then he becomes a zombie. I say that to say that despite Tristan's total disregard for getting a good picture, Amanda gave it her all and never gave up. She was great with both the boys and with their cousin, Mary Ryan.
During the session, Tristan basically did the opposite of whatever she told him to do. If she said to cross his legs, he stuck them out. If she told him to scoot in, he would scoot out. If she told him to sit up straight, he would slouch. I didn't know what to do. I didn't know if I should warn him, tell him to smile, ignore his behavior, bribe him, etc. I didn't know what to do. Initially, I tried to ignore it. At our last photo session with Grethel, I gave him tons of direction (she probably didn't appreciate it). When I saw that ignoring it wasn't working, I started repeating whatever Amanda said (it probably drove her crazy; I was that mom). Nothing worked! So then (and this is bad...those of you Ezzo followers just skip ahead a couple of lines) I bribed him, which I really don't like to do. I told him that if he would just smile, I would take him and get a Christmas DVD he's been wanting. Do you know what? It still didn't work! AAAGH! It was so frustrating.
I love Tristan so much and think he's a gorgeous kid (don't all moms). I get compliments on him all the time from strangers (I'm not boasting, I'm just trying to make a point), but you wouldn't know it based on the pictures he takes. He refuses to smile in pictures. Sometimes he makes really awful faces. What is this about?! Can someone help me? I want those who don't get to see him much or ever to realize that he is a precious boy, and not the Frankenstein face that he portrays on film (ok, so he doesn't always do the Frankenstein face, but he does do it occasionally). Anyway...
Asher was doing well initially, but the session was during his nap time and that presented a challenge. Things were going well, he was sitting there then the unthinkable happened...he plopped himself over and hit his head. After that, he wanted no more pictures, he just wanted his mommy (Tristan did the same thing at a photo shoot at the same age). Figures, right?
Despite the craziness that is my boys and pictures, I think she got some great shots. She showed me one that was typical Tristan...him pinching Asher's cheek while he was supposed to be sitting and smiling for the camera; not the picture perfect snapshot that you would see on the cover of Parents magazine, but my typical child on any given day...which, when it comes down to it, is what I wanted to capture anyway.
Amanda, if you're reading this, thank you for all your patience. I couldn't do what you do, but I am in complete admiration. I can't wait to see the proofs!