Day off

This week I was hit with a virus that drained all my energy for a few days and left me very very tired. Just as I was recovering yesterday, Rika got it as well. So I had to come early and then take today off work in order to look after Hanna.

On the bright side, this was a good opportunity to take Hanna to Shinjuku Central Park and play in the water.









Parklife.　A group of lunchtime rock stars with their guitars.











We both went on the big slide for the first time. Cool!

What's the magic word?

Assertive? Moi?

Hanna has become more assertive in getting what she wants. Of course there is the 'terrible twos' negativity when she doesn't want to do something. But she also has more charming ways of influencing us.

For example in the morning when she wants me to get up, she'll bring me my glasses and pants, before demanding 'up, up!'



On Monday evening she wanted me to take her for a walk. So she started to organise me with the things she thought I needed.

Shoes...


keys...


other important perparation...

... foot powder (since I often put this on before I put on my shoes)

Now put your shoes on Daddy


Hanna has been able to put her own shoes on for about 6 months (although usually on the wrong feet).


Now, shall we go on foot or by bicycle? "Bicycle nai kara" ("bicycle no, because"). Ok, walking then...

Photoshoot

This Sunday Hanna had a weekend photoshoot so I was able to go along and watch. She has another on Monday, but of course I'll be at work then.

Back at home Hanna really didn't want to get dressed. So I was a worried that it was going to be difficult to get her changed into 3 different and unfamiliar outfits... When we change her top we say 'Banzai!' to ask her to put both hands up. But today Hanna was saying "Banzai nai yo!" ("hands up - No!")


Ths studio was at Futako Tamagawa about 1hour from our place to the south, right on the bank of the Tamagawa River.


The studio's are normally light airy spaces. AS you can see this one was quite bright even though the day was overcast.


Each room has several 'sets' with interesting furniture or props. This shoot was going on when we first arrived. Thats a dad at the left, and the editor of Akasugu magazine in the green jacket.

The team with the models. adults from the left: make-up artist (khaki shorts), photographer, the editor, stylist (in pink), and 2 photographers assistants).


This is the stylist with her plan of the shoot. The rack has each outfit carefully assembled and labeled including shoes, hats and accessories. The photoshoot is for the Nov-Dec edition so, of course, all the outfits were all winter.


This is the photographer's assistant with the plan for the shoot on the wall, and a computer to check and edit the photographs. When the shoots are complete a print of the chosen photo is stuck on the plan.


Hanna was the last model on the schedule, probably because they expected her to be difficult and possibly take extra time. After we arrived Hanna had some time to get settled down and dressed in the first outfit. Then its "hair and make". The parents job is to sit with her and keep her happy and occupied while the make-up artist works.


I was surprised how much make-up was applied. Apparently they normally just apply a bit of blush to the cheeks. But today Hanna had an insect bite on her cheek so they put foundation over Hannah's face, including around her eyes. Of course Hanna struggled but this was very quick, and much more efficient than the battle I have each evening just trying to wash Hannas face.


This was the first shot. Hanna was tidied up and put on the set. Then everyone tried to make her look at the camera and smile. Obviously this is much easier when she is in a good mood as she was today.


If she moves around they just gently bring her back to the right place and start again.


This shoot was over in about 10 minutes. After that another 30min or so to change into the next outfit while they did the last shoots with the other remaining models.


The second shoot. Amazingly the hat stayed on Hanna's head with no complaints. This one was over in about 5 minutes.


The trick here was playing some music and encouraging Hanna to dance. Hanna clearly enjoyed being the centre of attention and she obligingly smiled, laughed and looked at the camera.


After this shoot, there was another long break to give Hanna plenty of time to get changed and have a rest or play.


The third shoot. By this time we had been at the studio almost 2 hours and Hanna was beginning to get tired and want her nap. This is when the tricks come out, like putting a little model of 'Anpaman' in the top of the camera to make Hanna look at it.










Done. The photographers assistant checking the photos. Today photographer was very pleased with the results and everyone said that Hanna was much much easier to work with than normal. Even so it was about 2.5 hours plus 2 hours travelling for JPY 3,000.


We had a nice walk back to the station along the Tamagawa river bank, and Hanna went to sleep in the back of the Deuter.


Hanna had another shoot on Monday. This didn't go so smoothly, since she strongly objected to getting changed for about an hour.