Find What Tickles Your Family's Fancy

Raising two sons that show no interest in having their picture taken, I have tried it all to capture that perfect family photo. Bribes, threats to take away bribes...nothing seemed to work.  In the end, my husband and I developed our own method that has a decent success rate. What is our secret?  Well, the tickle monster of course. 

There is this stretch of time, particularly between ages three and six, where asking my children to "say cheese" turns into this horribly forced smile with a chin so high up in the air you can barely see a face. Realizing that the tried-and-true "cheese" method was out, we endeavored to find something that worked for us - the tickle. Right before the photo is taken, we give an oh-so-gentle tickle and prompt them to look at the camera.  The result?  On the worst attempts, you still win by getting to enjoy the sound of laughter.  At best, you walk away with images like you see from our recent trip to Newport, RI.  Plus who doesn't love wrapping their arms around their little ones?  It may not always work, but it is worth the try!

Photo taken by one of the crew aboard the Aquidneck in Newport, RI.