Look at the Camera!

Most of the people that come to the public giraffe feedings are thrilled.
Some of the tiny kids are scared since the giraffe heads are about as big as they are. But plenty of the kids are super excited. Of course they are!
During the public giraffe feeds, we always let a photographer step onto the deck to take a video/photos. This can often become complicated for a variety of reasons. But there's one thing that's happened a couple times that leaves me indignant for the sake of kids. They're up there, hand-feeding a giraffe. Getting face-to-face with the tallest animal in the world. Probably their only chance to do so. And meanwhile their family is across the deck shouting, "look at the camera! Why aren't you looking at the camera?"
Because they're feeding a giraffe! Why the heck would a kid want to look at the camera when they have just a few moments to be face-to-face with a giraffe?

The Ghibli museum in Japan doesn't allow photos specifically for this reason. They want kids to have fun playing and exploring without parents bugging them to pose over and over for photos.

(You can take photos outside, and I took this photo from the roof of the Ghibli Museum).

I want people to get good photos of their time with the giraffes. But not at the expense of enjoying the moment!
I appreciate Miyazaki's reasoning on the "no photos" in the museum. It would make things a lot simpler for everyone. Even though I took photos outside the museum...



Peacock posing next to the komodo dragon statue.