There is a teenage boy in my house who if given the choice would never allow himself to be photographed.

It is not because he thinks he looks strange, awkward or funny but because of some arbitrary decision he made years ago to try and avoid being photographed.

He knows his choice wasn’t based upon logic or reason but he doesn’t care. Some might suggest this is because the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree but that is not something I care to think about because it is immaterial.

The how and why he prefers not to be photographed would only matter if logic was involved because then I could provide him with a reasonable argument about why his position is ridiculous.

For years we would talk about why pictures are important and ask for his cooperation. Sometimes he would just do it and sometimes I would suggest that if he didn’t want my size 12 boot in his ass he might try smiling.

And then in one of the great shocking moments of life, my teenager surprised me and said he thought he could be part of more pictures.

Dad, The Manipulator?

What made him change his mind?

You can attribute it to dad, wrangler of teens, copywriter and occasional manipulator.

Good old dad told him that it is important to try and come up with a thoughtful gift for people and that family members would love a nice picture.

I think this is a trick and that you think you can manipulate me, but I know what you are doing.Click To Tweet

“Dad, I think this is a trick and that you think you can manipulate me, but I know what you are doing. I am going to do this because it makes sense to me, not because you asked.”

“Son, you are going to do it because I manipulated you into doing this and I did it so skillfully that I can tell you I am doing it and be confident you’ll still do it.”

He rolled his eyes at me and we shared a chuckle.

He did it because he realized that sometimes it is easier to go along and get along and because pictures really are fast and easy gifts.

In short, some of it came because it enabled him to be lazy about gift giving.

But I understand that and I give him a break on some of this because when you don’t drive, have an income and or live near public transportation getting a good gift for someone can be more challenging.

A Thoughtful Gift & Teenage Boys

Truth is even when you have a car and make a couple of bucks it is not always easy to find a good gift, especially if you are shopping for one of those people who doesn’t want or need much.

If you are like me you have encountered this situation more times than you care to think about which is why I got so excited when I heard about a company I could use to help make my life earlier.

It is called Pictli and they offer a desktop solution and App that you can use to give someone you care about a thoughtful photo gift.

You pick a photo you love and submit it to Pictli. They’ll print it out, put it in a frame you have already chosen and then ship it to whomever and wherever you want it sent.

Then you sit back and wait for the thank you note or call from someone you care about who will tell you how delighted they are with your thoughtful gift.

And the  best part is you will have done it with minimal hassle and without having to fight the crowds at the mall.

No muss, no fuss.

I Love Mine

I love my Pictli picture and frame.

It is a family photo from the teenager’s Bar Mitzvah that is now on the mantle on our fireplace.

If you are looking for a thoughtful photo gift and want to try Pictli I have a  20% discount code you can use and or share with friends, family and followers: JS1510.

Please note that code is good through October 2015 only.

Disclosure: I received a gift code to purchase my Pictli print.  All opinions are mine, such as Brussels Sprouts are awful, the DH and the Tuck rule are abominations and Hawaii is a great place to take a vacation.

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