We had our group photos taken for the yearbook yesterday. The procedure is for the photographer to take one photo with a small digital camera that is connected to a printer. This photo is used for identification. (I look at it and fill out the names for captions.) Then there are two shots on the “big camera” that are developed later. Here is what happened with our class:
“Oh, good, you have everyone sized from tallest to shortest! Okay, you first five stand in the back. No, you sweetie. Any you, you, you, and you. Not you. Just five.
Now this group needs to be on their knees. No, not your bottom. Your knees. No, up. Yes, stay like that.
Good, let me have the rest of you criss-cross on the front row. Oh, you have a dress. Well, sit with your legs to the side. The side. Like this. No, this foot over. Okay, don’t move. No you have to sit, you don’t have a dress. Okay, everyone stay like that. We’re going to take three photos.”
O f course in between instructions from the photographer I’m repeating most of what she says, but with the names, because she doesn’t know anyone. Of course as an “outsider” she doesn’t “get it” and still refers to the children without using their names, and of course they continue to ignore her. In case you are also an “outsider” reading this, the rule with little children is: If she doesn’t call me by name she MUST mean someone else! LOL
So we’re all in our places, with bright shiny faces…
“Okay, everybody say cheese. No, sweetie put your shirt down. You in the flowers…down. No back up on your knees. Thanks. Okay, red, no, no… don’t put your hand on your nose. Everybody on the second row put your hands down. Back up on your knees. You in the back row, look at the camera not your friend. Okay, okay. Everybody say cheese. Right here. Look at me. Great!! Okay one more. Last one, promise. Oh, you guys were wonderful. Stay there while I print this for your teacher.
Okay, Mrs. Maurer, just take this print and fill out the names, in capital letters please, and return it to me later.”
I turn to the class….
and suddenly there is another little body- a very late little body.
Good morning!
Start over.
“Okay, front row, back on the floor. No, just the front row…”