The five-minute rule
March 7, 2005 | 12:00am
Yes, that’s me in the picture. I have finally decided to have my hair chopped. I feel refreshed. My natural curls are back and I can celebrate them now that my friend, Cherry Reyes of Toni & Guy allowed them to curl naturally before snipping them. When my daughter Ella and I found ourselves in Raymond Isaac’s studio for a print shoot, I asked Raymond to kindly take a photo of me just for this column. I wanted you all to be updated with my new look. Hope you like it as much as I do.
I also wanted to share with you my inspiring time with Raymond Isaac. I’ve always had a soft spot in my heart for Raymond because he and my husband go way back in high school when they were both in the Student Council at La Salle Greenhills. He also photographed my mom and stepdad’s wedding 18 years ago. He photographed me a few times as well, even when Ella was a year old and I had my son in my tummy. What struck me was how he positively related to children. Seven years ago, when Ella and I were having our shoot, Raymond’s niece (who was in the studio at the time) was being potty-trained. Every time the little girl showed signs of needing to go to the bathroom, Raymond, his mom, and sister all rushed to bring her to the potty. I also remember Raymond for doing everything to make my baby comfortable and have an enjoyable time. To this day, Ella remembers that shoot.
Upon our arrival at the studio, Ella surveyed the place and stayed seated while I had my makeup done. Raymond greeted us just when Ella was being dolled up. Within five minutes, Raymond and Ella were talking as if they were the best of friends. It was amazing because he established connection with her the minute he stepped in the room. Their conversations covered various topics of interest, like school, her favorite characters, fashion, his nephews and nieces, etc. No wonder Ella gamely posed during our shoot. She felt connected to Raymond and was comfortable with the surroundings. We finished so quickly that we even had time to goof around the studio and yes, take my photo for this column.
I learned that Raymond takes dealing with children seriously that he even took formal classes in child wrangling. It’s a course that equips professionals who have to deal with children when doing commercial, photo, movie and television productions. I’ve heard of the term baby/child handling here in the Philippines, but apparently, child wrangling is a totally different field. For one, child wranglers are required by law to take a course that will certify them to handle children. The ultimate goal is to make the experience for children as stress-free and safe as possible because they are valued as a precious and delicate member of the production. Raymond shared some of the things he learned from that course that I had the privilege of seeing him put that to practice with my daughter Ella.
The point person in a photo shoot is the pictorial director. He is the one in charge of handling the whole session. He may be assigned only to children if he has been certified to do so. He must make sure that the talent has a twin or a double so that at any given time, when the talent shows signs of not wanting to proceed because of tiredness, hunger, etc, a replacement may be used. The pictorial director understands that the child will in no way be forced to do anything he/she dislikes. He understands that some productions take longer than others, especially when children are involved. He is aware that children, especially toddlers, have very limited attention spans so work should not be too taxing and must not take too long. Time must be allotted for eating, sleeping, and even education (some productions require a tutor to be present).
Some helpful hints about taking charge of children:
• Talk their level. That means you must literally go down to their level. Kneel down if possible and look at them in the eye to establish clear contact. You must talk at the level they understand and not talk to them as if they are children. Raymond stresses the need to talk to kids in a more mature way because it will encourage them to rise up to a higher level of relating.
• Know who they are. Watch the shows they like such as those on the Disney Channel, etc. If you haven’t connected to them by mentioning some of the things that they’re interested in, chances are they’d push you away because you don’t belong in their clique.
• Observe the kind of person they are. Raymond noticed that Ella had stuff that was darker in color, which made him perceive her as more mature for her age. If she had more pastel colored things, he would’ve babytalked to her. He sized her up while conversing with her, which made her feel warm and at ease.
• Take charge – when they are not cooperating by standing up and being firm. Give a definite reason they can understand. It’s not enough to say, "I’m in charge, that’s why."
After the shoot, Ella kept asking if Tito Raymond had kids. I told her no, but he helps take care of his nephews and nieces. I sensed a bit of sadness in her heart that made her say, "But why, Mama?" At that point, I realized how precious the time she spent with Raymond was that she found it sad for him not to be a blessing to his own children. I encouraged her by reminding her that not all people choose to be parents; some choose to bless children of other parents instead. Just like he did Ella and just like he blesses his nephews and nieces.
Raymond says that child wrangling is a profession that can be applied not only to children but to yayas as well. He reminds professionals dealing with children and even parents not to be too excited to get to work right away when wanting children to get things done. Establish contact first. Remember, the first five minutes with the child are most crucial. If you lose the chance to connect, you’re bound to a road of conflict. Be wise, take it from an expert.
Hey, folks, I wish we had the same kind of certification course for parents! Don’t you? This isn’t an easy job, but we get by so many times simply by winging it. With so many parents clueless, no wonder so many children are lost. This parenting profession needs serious work. Let’s get with it!
E-mail me at mommytalk@businessworks.com.ph.
I also wanted to share with you my inspiring time with Raymond Isaac. I’ve always had a soft spot in my heart for Raymond because he and my husband go way back in high school when they were both in the Student Council at La Salle Greenhills. He also photographed my mom and stepdad’s wedding 18 years ago. He photographed me a few times as well, even when Ella was a year old and I had my son in my tummy. What struck me was how he positively related to children. Seven years ago, when Ella and I were having our shoot, Raymond’s niece (who was in the studio at the time) was being potty-trained. Every time the little girl showed signs of needing to go to the bathroom, Raymond, his mom, and sister all rushed to bring her to the potty. I also remember Raymond for doing everything to make my baby comfortable and have an enjoyable time. To this day, Ella remembers that shoot.
Upon our arrival at the studio, Ella surveyed the place and stayed seated while I had my makeup done. Raymond greeted us just when Ella was being dolled up. Within five minutes, Raymond and Ella were talking as if they were the best of friends. It was amazing because he established connection with her the minute he stepped in the room. Their conversations covered various topics of interest, like school, her favorite characters, fashion, his nephews and nieces, etc. No wonder Ella gamely posed during our shoot. She felt connected to Raymond and was comfortable with the surroundings. We finished so quickly that we even had time to goof around the studio and yes, take my photo for this column.
I learned that Raymond takes dealing with children seriously that he even took formal classes in child wrangling. It’s a course that equips professionals who have to deal with children when doing commercial, photo, movie and television productions. I’ve heard of the term baby/child handling here in the Philippines, but apparently, child wrangling is a totally different field. For one, child wranglers are required by law to take a course that will certify them to handle children. The ultimate goal is to make the experience for children as stress-free and safe as possible because they are valued as a precious and delicate member of the production. Raymond shared some of the things he learned from that course that I had the privilege of seeing him put that to practice with my daughter Ella.
The point person in a photo shoot is the pictorial director. He is the one in charge of handling the whole session. He may be assigned only to children if he has been certified to do so. He must make sure that the talent has a twin or a double so that at any given time, when the talent shows signs of not wanting to proceed because of tiredness, hunger, etc, a replacement may be used. The pictorial director understands that the child will in no way be forced to do anything he/she dislikes. He understands that some productions take longer than others, especially when children are involved. He is aware that children, especially toddlers, have very limited attention spans so work should not be too taxing and must not take too long. Time must be allotted for eating, sleeping, and even education (some productions require a tutor to be present).
Some helpful hints about taking charge of children:
• Talk their level. That means you must literally go down to their level. Kneel down if possible and look at them in the eye to establish clear contact. You must talk at the level they understand and not talk to them as if they are children. Raymond stresses the need to talk to kids in a more mature way because it will encourage them to rise up to a higher level of relating.
• Know who they are. Watch the shows they like such as those on the Disney Channel, etc. If you haven’t connected to them by mentioning some of the things that they’re interested in, chances are they’d push you away because you don’t belong in their clique.
• Observe the kind of person they are. Raymond noticed that Ella had stuff that was darker in color, which made him perceive her as more mature for her age. If she had more pastel colored things, he would’ve babytalked to her. He sized her up while conversing with her, which made her feel warm and at ease.
• Take charge – when they are not cooperating by standing up and being firm. Give a definite reason they can understand. It’s not enough to say, "I’m in charge, that’s why."
After the shoot, Ella kept asking if Tito Raymond had kids. I told her no, but he helps take care of his nephews and nieces. I sensed a bit of sadness in her heart that made her say, "But why, Mama?" At that point, I realized how precious the time she spent with Raymond was that she found it sad for him not to be a blessing to his own children. I encouraged her by reminding her that not all people choose to be parents; some choose to bless children of other parents instead. Just like he did Ella and just like he blesses his nephews and nieces.
Raymond says that child wrangling is a profession that can be applied not only to children but to yayas as well. He reminds professionals dealing with children and even parents not to be too excited to get to work right away when wanting children to get things done. Establish contact first. Remember, the first five minutes with the child are most crucial. If you lose the chance to connect, you’re bound to a road of conflict. Be wise, take it from an expert.
Hey, folks, I wish we had the same kind of certification course for parents! Don’t you? This isn’t an easy job, but we get by so many times simply by winging it. With so many parents clueless, no wonder so many children are lost. This parenting profession needs serious work. Let’s get with it!
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