Sucking lemons! Could there be a more apt concept for Stylejuicer!? I’m chuffed to bits to share Toronto photographer duo April Maciborka and David Wile’s ’pucker’ series with you today.

A simple and genius idea that provoked quite strong reactions in me. Not only did the childrens faces make me laugh out loud but I couldn’t help imagining the experience myself and started salivating and sucking my cheeks! I guess that’s what you’d call a Pavlovian response.

Finding this project online is exactely what Stylejuicer is all about: sharing cool (and juicy) ideas and bringing a smile and a dash of inspiration into your lives.

Apart from the fab photos I wanted to find out a bit more about the concept and how it all came together, so here’s what April told me.

HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH THE IDEA?

Dave and I wanted to shoot a creative [project] involving babies. We brainstormed the idea of photographing babies reactions to tasting or experiencing something for the first time, when our friend suggested lemons. It was such a great idea because everyone can relate to the experience of tasting something sour. We imagined that freezing that moment in time would be hilarious and it was!

DO YOU HAVE SMALL KIDS YOURSELVES?

No, we dont. Dave has 2 nephews and 1 neice that we hang out with a lot. I have done a lot of volunteer work abroad at baby orphanages so combined we have had a lot of child experience.

IN THE BUSINESS THEY SAY NEVER WORK WITH SMALL CHILDREN OR ANIMALS…

Lol. Somehow we chose to work with babies and animals in our series ‘splash’. I guess we are suckers for what is considered difficult.

WHO ARE THE LITTLE MODELS?

All of the babies are our friends kids or friends of friends kids. We advertised on Facebook and started a selection process. We offered a free family portrait in return for having your child be photographed as they taste lemon for the first time. Parents were exstatic for a free photoshoot and thought it would be hilarious to see their babies reaction!

HOW LONG DID IT THE SHOOT TAKE?

The shoot was completed over 2 weekends. Kids take a lot of patience to photograph and TIME. You need to allow time for them to get used to their new environment and be comfortable there. They also needed to be comfortable with us. For the most part we were strange faces to these babies. After easing them into the environment we would photograph them with their family and then break and then put them on a seperate set for the lemon. Out of about 20 kids, only 1 would not try the lemon. She hated the texture of the lemon in her fingers. Most babies love to eat so the idea of picking up a slice and munching on it was so alluring for them.

Shockingly, most babies continued eating the lemon even if they thought it was so sour. Some kids munched on it without a reaction at all!!!

Enjoy and I hope you’re inspired!

Photography | April Maciborka & David Wile