“What shape can you see in the lens when I press the button? Some people see circles, some see triangles, some even see fairies, but those guys have magic eyes…” For those of you with kids and you want to capture more than their camera smile, try this technique. It works for me. The trick is: you have to sell it with 100% conviction.

This was taken from a recent photo shoot in New York. She starts out shy, starts out crying, doesn’t want her photo taken. I sit on the floor put the camera between my legs, take the lens cap off and start taking loudly to the invisible helpers that live in my lenses.

Slowly she moves from the edge of the room until she is standing in front of me with a look of pure wonder. I tell her that the lens fairies say she is the best in the world at hide and seek. She almost levitates with joy. She wants to see the lens fairies. I tell her they are shy. But if she shows us her best hide and seek moves, they might appear. An hour later, I have become her climbing frame. Ninety mins later, we get this shot and she tells me that she can see the fairies. She tells me they are triangle shapes. The Tao of photography. Have an intention, let it go, but stay ready.

We spent today filming for the @hawnfoundation and were inspired beyond words, listening to 8-year-olds talking about the improvements they’ve made in their school and home life through mindfulness practices. When an 8-year-old schools you on her favourite parts of the human brain and wraps up by letting you know how to improve your focus, well then, that’s a good day.