Boy. Tongs

Working with children is always interesting. Challenging, unpredictable, hilarious, frustrating and spontaneous go along for the ride…and a ride it is. Sometimes very brief, as this shoot today was. When I photograph what I like to call ‘fledglings’, being prepared is key. I tested my on-camera flash before I left home, as I do not use it every day. When I arrived at location, I chose the large, abstract painting framed with glass as my background, when I saw the reflection of the chandelier overhead. I knew that this  also offered me the opportunity to ‘see’ my flash, off to camera left of the subject. Then I asked Payton to get into place and handed him the tongs with bagel. I found out that the boy’s mother had promised him chocolate for his participation. When I asked him about that, this expression is what I got. Adding a vintage touch in post-production and..done! I love the fact that he appears to be looking for help from above, in an angelic sort of way. Hoping chocolate will fall from the heavens is my guess.