Kevin Wilson
Northern News Services

Panniqtuuq (Nov 05/01) - It's a phrase designed to send shudders down the spine of every photographer: "Let me picture you, too!"

Most everyone who has ever photographed children is probably intimately familiar with the phenomenon. Adorable little moppets do something adorable. Photographer takes picture. Adorable little moppets insist they should have a chance to take pictures of the not-quite-so-adorable photographer.

They've been nice enough to let you photograph them, but the thought of letting a moppet, however adorable, wrap his or her tiny hands around more than $700 worth of camera equipment leaves you clammy.

The alternative is almost as bad. If you politely decline to be pictured you'll be told in no uncertain terms that you're being a big fat poo-head.

"No fair, we let you picture us," said Jake Battye seconds after having his image recorded for posterity in Panniqtuuq. An adorable little mob echoed his sentiments, as sisters Mila, Christine and Samantha, along with friend Joanasie Apal all lined up for the crack at the camera.

No big surprise there, said Marc Lewis. He should know.

Lewis is a professor of human development and applied psychology at the University of Toronto.

While it doesn't take an academic to tell you children are naturally very curious, Lewis said that, "around the ages of five or six, they start to get a sense of fairness. They start becoming interested in board games, and turn-taking."

So, to paraphrase Jake, it's only fair. After all, the photographer got to "picture him."

There's also the natural sense of curiosity with the images and imaging technology, Lewis added. "Kids are somewhat fascinated with the taking of pictures, but then again, we all are," he said.

Rather than say 'no,' and offend a young person's recently acquired sense of fair play, Lewis suggested giving kids a turn to do the "picturing."

"I'd recommend taking a small disposable camera with you next time," he said.