by
Whitney Hubbard,
Staff
Photographer
The 'Picture Smile.' You have one (so do I), and you
know it well because it's the same in every picture.
And, if you're anything like me, you've listened to your
loved ones complain time and again that your beloved
photo defense mechanism doesn't look a thing like
the real deal. I couldn't tell you how many times I've
heard parents, friends, and other photographers
lament the fate of a good-photo-gone-wrong at the
hands of the dreaded 'fake smile.'
Now, I'm no comedian, unless you think corny puns
and clumsiness count. But I've had to elicit quite a few
smiles in my day from subjects of all ages, and so I'll
share with you a few tips that may help you bring out
those elusive, eye-wrinkling 'real' smiles for your own
family album.
1) Take the pressure off!
This is my most important tip! There's nothing that kills
a smile like stress. It's no easy task to line up your
entire family in the backyard for a family portrait, kids
and grandparents and all, but allowing the tough task
at hand to darken your otherwise sunny disposition
will not only make you feel worse, it will effect everyone
around you. Make your mini-photo shoot fun, and
accept that you may not be finished quickly. Talk and
laugh with your subjects, even if the conversation is
pointless (How about this weather? What a nice
scarf!). As the photographer, you're in charge, and
everyone will be looking at you, so your mood will be
contagious. Keep it light and fun, and those tense
faces will relax. This rule also (and especially) applies
when photographing children. Kids react quickly and
intensely to pressure, and once their good mood is
gone, it can be hard to bring back. Make picture taking
fun for your kids by talking and making jokes,
promising a treat for good behavior, and letting go of
your impatience. This is a great time to be fun
Mom/Dad!
2) Keep your camera out!
People are intimidated by cameras, and are often
afraid of how they will look in pictures, and so they
react by putting on a tense, defensive smile and
posing themselves awkwardly. The key to
counteracting this kind of situation is to get your
subjects used to the sight of the camera. Keep it
around your neck, or even better, in your hand, and
eventually it will turn into a simple piece of furniture.
Even so, you may end up with a subject that just can't
relax around the camera. Be understanding, don't
push them, and take your time. Just a little
conversation and some casual shooting may open
them up and result in some great pictures. Maybe they
will remember you as that patient, friendly
photographer who cured them of their photo-anxiety!
3) Your shoot is an event, document it!
The great side effect of having your camera out and
ready is that you are always prepared to shoot those
unexpected moments, which will often turn in to the
best shots. Whether you're taking group photos or a
portrait of an individual, look at the shoot as an event,
and document the whole thing. Maybe your daughter is
going to the prom, and you dreamed of a perfect, full
length pose on the stairs and her pretty smile. But her
giggles as she fixes her hair, her reaching as she
adjusts her shoe, or her impatient date seated on the
bottom step as he waits for her to come out of the
bathroom for the 4th time, all make great pictures.
Keep shooting, and not only will your daughter
become accustomed to the camera (tip #2!), but you'll
get a lot of neat, casual shots, full of real emotions
and smiles, that will remind you of the whole event for
years to come.
4) Get silly!
"Say cheese!" has to be one of the most famous
(infamous?) phrases in the English language. Sure, it
gets people to open their mouths and show some
teeth, but bared teeth do not always equal a great
smile. For that authentic, genuine grin, you want to
make your subject laugh a little. The best way to do
this is to leave your pride at the door and act silly. Of
course, what works for one may not work for everyone,
and so you have to pay attention to your subject.
Children, contrary to popular belief, are easy to crack
up. Ask them goofy questions (Are you married yet?
How old do you think I am?) and come down to their
level. Behave the way adults aren't supposed to do.
With adults, being silly can work as well. In a group,
see if you can find someone to be in on your jokes,
and tease them a little (you want to make sure they're
in on it, or are very good natured, or you'll end up with
scowls instead of smiles). With individuals, it can help
to make fun of yourself a little or do something
physically silly in front of them, like making a face. It
seems ridiculous, but remember, adults are in fact
just a bunch of grown up kids. With teenagers, I've
found the most important thing you can do is to talk to
them like adults. They're past the stage when saying
things like "pickles!" and honking horns will make
them laugh, but they're not above a little silliness if you
can gain some headway with them. Start by talking to
them, ask questions about their life, and be patient.
Jumping right into the silliness may put them on the
defensive; after all, they have their reputations to
protect.
Now that you're armed with a few new tricks, go out
and practice! Don't be afraid to take a lot of shots! And
most importantly, DON'T say cheese!
