Louis: A Self-Portrait

Louis is a big fan of doing things "self."

Not a day passes when we don't hear "Do it self!" a few dozen times.

Whether we're brushing teeth, washing hands, pouring the cereal into a bowl, or unlocking the car door, Louis is right there, ready to try his hand at the task.

Can Mama help? "No, thank you."

Can Baba help? "No, thank you."

At least he's polite--if a bit insistent at moments.

So it comes as no surprise to us that our almost-3-year-old has decided that he's just as much of an amateur photographer as his Mama and Baba are.

After all, he has seen enough pictures taken that he has a general idea of how the camera works. (He has certainly been the subject often enough.) And occasionally he listens when Mama tries to demonstrate which way to hold the camera.

Occasionally.

Much of the time, though, he has his own ideas.

 

How do those photos work out for our budding photographer?

Well, some are better than others.

Some capture unusual angles...

...or new perspectives.

Sometimes he manages to take one that is surprisingly good.

Oh, wait. Mama might have helped a bit with that one.

Is Louis frustrated when his photos don't turn out like Mama's?

Not our boy.

He thinks they're hilarious. "So funny," he says, laughing too hard to press the button again. Then he runs to share his latest picture with Baba.

Baba and Louis have the exact same sense of humor, and Baba will drop everything to look at the latest Louis masterpiece.

So, unless Louis drops and breaks the camera between now and December, you won't see this one on our Christmas card this year.

And I don't think we'll be framing this one for the mantle.

Or this one, for that matter.

Of course, we'd have to get a mantle first.

Still, I have yet to see a photo of our boy that I don't enjoy. And don't tell Louis, but I have to admit, much as I love his creativity with the camera, I think his Aunt Treasa may have captured a more beautiful moment here.

Did I help her? Nope. You know Aunt Treasa. She did it "Self! Self!"