About The Smile For Me Toy's Story
The ProblemOur story is about the problem of getting children (and most adults) to smile for you and to look at your camera when you are trying to take a picture. One day I had wanted to take a group shot of my co-workers and couldn't get the baby in our group to look at my camera at the same time as everyone else. Professional photographers have a bag of horns, whistles and toys handy to grab a little one's attention but I wanted something easier for everyone to "watch the birdie" better and create a better photograph.Our prototype birdie soon "popped up" as the perfect solution when attached to my camera.. Our research soon had shown that it was an entertaining way to help make it fun to smile for the camera. The phrase watch the birdie has had its roots with the first cameras over a hundred years ago and was a popular and iconic American phrase in songs, movies and cartoons, especially in the 1940's and 50's and is our tribute to those photographers who coaxed smiles out of people for the camera long before us. (And besides, the "birdie" is far more fun to play with and rally around than blocks of cheese.) Have you ever had to frantically wave a spit towel or a pacifier in a vain attempt to gather everyone's attention before people tried to walk in front of you during a vacation shot? A "birdie" helps grab the best shot in the fastest amount of time. You may have paid good money for a new camera for your child and their interest has faded. A "birdie" may inject some new enthusiasm for that camera. (Kids can really take some great shots of siblings and relatives with a different perspective than you can and they get silly and have a blast with the "watch the birdie" concept.) Our MissionWe believe we owe it to loved ones to capture some great moments in his or her life.Photos that find their way onto a picture collage board or power point slide show for a birthday or anniversary celebration, a graduation or sadly, even for viewing in a Chapel lobby, are precious and priceless. The internet can enshrine photos longer now so make it count when your camera is out. Those of us at Smile For Me Toys™ want to help parental units build early self esteem in kids. Being sensitve to reactions to the pictues hanging on walls, displayed on living room mantles or the ones getting posted on websites and social networks is important. Are the pictures promoting their confidence or hurting it? By injecting humor, manners and kindness into a child's life, maybe he or she will steer toward supportive and life-long friends and make some better choices as they grow into adulthood and who might later ask their own kids to "Smile for Me" and "Watch the Birdie".
...And all live happily ever after. (You never know where he or she might end up.)
That's enough about us but that's the birdie's story and he's sticking to it. Oh wait, that's on cameras.
"When we treat chidren's play as seriously as it deserves, we are helping them feel the joy that's to be found in the creative spirit. It's the things we play with and the people who help us play that make a great difference in our lives."-Fred Rogers Make it fun to smile for the camera and join us in sharing and learning more about photography techniques on our website. Find us on Facebook/SmileForMeToys for a community of photography friends with our "Smile Catcher's Club" and "Birdie Party" photography themed birthday party ideas. Please Feel Free to Contact Us
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