DEAR HARRIETTE: My daughter despises when I take photographs of her. She is a teenager now, and I try to document all of her important moments through videos and candid photos. She gets incredibly angry when I videotape or photograph her getting ready for parties with her friends or getting ready for school. I think she's being an unreasonable teenager right now, and she'll appreciate these videos later in life. My older daughter has told me to give her little sister some room, but I know my youngest will really like these candid videos later in life. How can I tell her to be appreciative instead of mad at me? -- Mama Bear Photography, Dallas
DEAR MAMA BEAR PHOTOGRAPHY: Your older daughter has a point. Interestingly, in today's world, young people in particular document almost every moment of their lives on social media. Your daughter may not be a part of that trend, or she may simply want some space in her own home away from anyone with a camera, especially her mom hovering over her, recording her every move. Either way, it is best for you to back off. When you want to take pictures or video, ask your daughter privately and always in advance of a major event. Get her to buy into your idea rather than being an aggressive mother bear who is forcing the situation.
You can agree on a certain number of images or a limited amount of time that you will shoot. In this way, your daughter will feel like she has some control over the situation. Your desire to document everything seems to make her feel unsafe and under observation in her own home. I doubt that is your desire.