The Secret Smile

This is my two and half year old nephew.

I adore him.




He came in the studio last week and I had a photographers epiphany.

You see, getting toddlers to laugh and be happy is a whole lotta work. But, I found the most perfect way to get a toddler to smile.




And I mean real smiles, and lots of laughter too.



Like this...



And this...



And this...



Still going...



Yup, still laughing...



How on earth did I get this kid to be so happy???



Ready to know my secret?

It's all due to a silly little red friend around here...



Called Elf on the Shelf.

(You were wondering when I was going to jump on the Elf on the Shelf bandwagon, now weren't you?)

Turns out this little red guy is hil-arious to my nephew.



I'm serious. Just look at what happens when Elf goes away.



Sorry buddy. We'll bring that silly elf back!

Thanks goodness I went to Barnes and Noble and took out two other moms for that thing.

Totally worth it.