The Trials Of Getting Holiday Photos With Moody Teens

So in my head I would buy matching Elf costumes for my kids and I'd get amazing photos. I mean, two kids in Elf costumes? How cute! How precious!

However.

I was all, "Could you look happy?" and, well, my daughter Natalie was in no mood. I had pulled her away from texting her friends. 

Honestly, I had to pay her in Robux to even agree to wear the Elf costume and take photos, I'm not even going to lie. 

I wanted to get some fun jumping photos, and the kids were like, "bye."

I reminded them that I was paying for this, thanks. Robux and food for my son Tommy. If you promise him cookies or something, he's good to go. 

I wanted to try to get a better shot, one that wasn't blurry.

"Now your hair is in your face, can we try again."

"NO!" 

They were both irritated.

"At least pose together. And look HAPPY." 

"Can I just get--"

"I was in the middle of a conversation with my friends," Natalie reminded me. 

"Please. Let me guess. Talking about how great Billie Eilish is or how you're all sick of boys wearing Champion clothes," I answered. "What a stimulating conversation."

Gosh, teens are fun, aren't they?

I let her go. She wanted to go do a Tik Tok dance. 

I asked Tommy if he could take some photos for me and he was like, "Yeah."

"Tommy, it looks like you're possessed. Could you take it down a few notches? The power of Christ compels you."

"Now it looks like you're trying to dance. You look like me in a club."

"I just...I mean, better?"

"I like this one, Tommy. You don't look so crazed."

Natalie walked by then. 

"Oh sweetie, can I take a few more--"

"No."

"So, okay, Tommy, it's still just us, how about we get a few more?"

"Okay, we're back to being maniacal, fabulous."

"I'm Buddy the Elf, what's your favorite color?"

"I just don't see why I have to take math when I want a degree in video cinematography. It has nothing to do with my degree."(He does this rant at least once a day.)

I spotted Natalie messing with some branches. 

"Hi sweetie, do you want some more photos?"

"Never mind. Hi again, Tommy."

"I like this one, Tommy!"

And oh, I managed to get another shot of Natalie, but you can tell she was irritated. 

And I did get another great shot of Tommy:

So yes. It can take lots of patience taking photos of teens. And sometimes, payments.