Meryl Salzinger’s job requires her to be the “most fun person in the room”. Pulling faces, running around in circles, being generally “uncool” are all part of a day’s work.
She is not a clown, although some days it feels that way, but a “baby wrangler”. The job involves coaxing smiles or tears from infants on photo and film shoots for advertisers and for editorial.
Physically and mentally draining is how the relentlessly upbeat 48-year-old describes the job. It helps that she is an ex-dancer, surfer, swimmer and yogi. “I’m on my feet all day, running, jumping, dancing and falling on my butt to make the kids laugh and [my sporting hobbies] also give me the mental strength to be patient.” She finds parallels between surfing and wrangling: “The smallest wave can give you your best ride if you know how to enjoy it. The shyest or wildest kid can give you your best shot if you have the patience.” Imitating a duck’s quack or a monkey’s babble can help.