“Cheeeeeese!”  That’s what he says every time I bring out my camera or iPhone.  He is a part of the generation growing up in the limelight of the small screen, hand-held computers we can’t seem to put down.  My three-year old nephew knows what to do when the camera is on him, whether he’s in the mood for it or not.  Such is the life of a three year old.

About six months ago, I was visiting and wanted to have a picture with him, his sister, and their cousin.  His favorite TV show was on, so he seemed more interested in that, than what his Aunt Lala was trying to do.  He wouldn’t look at the camera.  He just wanted to watch TV.  We took the picture anyway – fortunately at the second he glanced over at the camera.

And do you know what happened next?  He started crying!  With giant tears falling down his cheeks, he got out the words in 2-year-old English that he didn’t say “cheese” when I took the picture.  Oh the drama! Needless to say, we had to take another picture.

There was another instance, around Eastertime, when I set up an egg-hunt for my niece and nephew. I wanted to get a few videos of the chase, so I pulled out my phone.  Of course, he thought that I was taking a picture.  I have video of him walking by, stopping, and saying “cheese” before continuing to find his next egg. This didn’t just happen once…it happened several times over the course of the egg hunt.  You can image the scene… walk, walk, walk, pose while saying “cheese”, walk, walk, walk.

Will lighting ever be just right? Will the subjects all cooperate?  No, but we will eventually get the perfect shot. These imperfect moments are the ones we will remember and chuckle at in the years to come.  In the meantime, let’s not forget to say “cheese”.

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