To get this site up, I knew I needed some pictures of the chickens and to do so it was time for an impromptu photo shoot that I had low expectations going into. As a mom of 3, my spirit over capturing the “perfect picture” had flushed down the toilet a long time ago, probably right around the same time when my then 1.5 year old daughter fell off a bridge during a family photo shoot (don’t worry, it was a very short fall) smack into a mud puddle. I now know that any photo where all 3 kids are looking in the same direction and look somewhat happy, even if they totally have fake grins on their faces, is considered a photographic marvel. And I knew going into this photo shoot that my plan was to take a shitload of pictures and hopefully we’d capture some worth posting but to do so, I’d also need some production assistants.
Im not talking about assistants to help with lighting or anything technical here (this is a low grade production), I’m talking about some individuals who could taunt the chickens with food. So that’s where my highly experienced chicken-feeding crew came into play, we’ll 2/3rd of them (yep, if you know my kids you know which one refused to help).
Early into the photo shoot I realized I made a mistake asking for help. Not only did I now have to worry about a chicken, but these assistants didn’t understand or grasp what “staying out of the shot”, “don’t chase the chickens”, or “keep the dogs inside” apparently meant. I guess I can’t expect much for free labor? But these assistants were jumping into shots to pet the chicken, giving them food like the purpose was to actually feed them, and not keeping dogs away who of course were waiting for the perfect moment to ruin everything by startling the chickens (at least the dogs were having a blast).
Some chickens were in their element pecking and scratching away like they were having a wonderful experience, just waiting for their minute in the spotlight. While others took off for their dear life and ran straight back to their flock (obviously Mrs. Beverly Featherbottom feels more comfortable as part of the entourage versus being a star).
The photo shoot all came to an end when one of the assistants “conveniently forgot” to close the gate and before we knew it we had 15 chickens being chased around the yard by 3 dogs and then 3 kids/assistants chasing those 3 dogs. I realized then that these assistants really need to work on their chicken catching capabilities, maybe a good idea for our next chicken adventure?… But I wouldn’t expect anything less from this photo shoot and my crazy troop, than complete chaos, and ay least it ended with all of us laughing together as we herd the flock back up.
Until next time. – BB
The Coop Troop 