My newly-minted 9-year-old is damn near perfect…except for when I try to take his picture. He drives me crazy. I have to work really hard to get a good one. But I don’t give up and I usually get it!
It starts with the utter refusal.
Then it changes to “Fine. I’ll look at you. But I’m. Not. Smiling.
Nope. Not happening, Mom.
Then I try to make a fart or balls joke and that usually gets a little reaction.
Then finally I threaten to take away his new Harry Potter castle. That does the trick.
I love my boy.
Elastamom's Excerpts 
Those are great pictures!! Caleb does the same thing.
My teen has reverted to covering his face with his hands, but if I agree to also photograph one of his cats…. I’m golden. You have a handsome young man.
Too Funny! Remindes me of those “Corner Dental” comercials…
We threaten in my house too! It’s a birthday rule – unless I get multiple “good” shots, they don’t get to open their presents. 🙂
It must be something to do with the age. Alyssa’s eight and she’s getting so difficult about pictures. It’s like pulling teeth to get her to just smile and sit normally for a picture. Good for you for keeping at it and for finding the one thing he’ll smile for. 🙂
Go with the fart joke. I’m definitely going to use that sage piece of advice down the line. My older ones are only 4 and 3, but already, they cackle at the word poop. Sigh.
He’s a handsome one!
My five year old loves fart/poop/pee jokes. Ugh! I completely know why you had to pull that out of your arsenal. Lovely pic of him.
I’m glad to know I’m not the only parent that threaten’s their child for a good picture!
bhahahahahahha!!! You are a great boy’s mom!!
My oldest HATES smiling for the camera! If I get sort of a grimace out of her, I’m lucky.
I love the one of him not smiling. Ah independence and the beginning of adolescence.