10 years into photography. Just one card failure however I lost images from an improvised maternity shot. It was done quickly in-location without prior arrangements. Shortly after I was done, my card died.
Blestyr
She wasn't fucking having it
Certainly, kids are tough to handle on many occasions. The times I've worked with kids and they don't want to cooperate as much, I take a picture of them doing anything (doesn't matter even if they're looking away from the camera or looking down or up, just make sure their face is shown) and then show them the picture. I tell them something along the lines of "Hey, look at this! This is how you look! Do you like it?" In the few occasions I've done this, they go CRAZY about it and start laughing and smiling and overall more cooperative. Sure, this is not 100% guaranteed to improve their mood but is worth the shot.
Songs from Enigma such as Return to Innocence, Mea Culpa. Principles of Lust, Morphing Thru Time.
Just chiming in to ask how it went. I hope it worked out nicely for you.
When they ask for photos: "I'm really sorry, I have a lot of work ahead of me with many clients and I'm afraid I won't be able to set up a photoshoot this year." If they don't accept this, that's their problem.