don't smile

"One who smiles rather than rages is always the stronger."
-Japanese Proverb

The more photographs I take of small children, the more amused I am with how well reverse psychology works. With some kids, it makes all the difference. Take Zekie, for example...

We were sitting in their house, waiting to leave for the photoshoot, when Zekie decides he's officially unhappy. (excuse my weird looking leg in the photo)

I replied by telling him that was just fine, as long as he didn't smile. I hate smiles, I said. Please don't.

Literally, seconds later...

Is anyone else amused by this? I never thought, getting into photography, that I would be telling kids to please not smile more often than I would tell them to smile. So it goes.