photos can be used as business commerce. the subject has a right to be a part of that decision and outcome.

the family could be under witness protection.

or even the mother is overcompensating and/or very protective, and that's okay too.

children don't have the wherewithal to refuse photos, and so they can't approve either.

the whole shit should've started with the photographer contacting the mother somehow.

I like to get in plain view of the parent, look up from my camera, glance at the child then at the parent, and silently mouth to the parent - 'do you mind?'