Say Cheese!
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!
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