"Say Cheese!"...Say What? Tips to Capture That Perfect Smile

Ok I know, I know...it's been eons since I have written a post here on Nikon Newbie puhlease forgive me (making a puppy dog face right now :) but so much has been going on in my life both great and not so great that has taken me away from this chapter in my life. I'll update you more on my next and final post as Nikon Newbie so stay tuned!

This post has been sitting in my drafts folder for almost a year now. I contemplated deleting it, but I just couldn't. I think it would be crazy not to complete and publish it because the information it contains is very useful. So here it is...
                                                                 

"Say cheese!" What is it that as soon as a camera gets stuck to your face you feel the urge to say those words? For me, it's from years of mindlessly blurting it out time and time again in an effort to get everyone to smile and needless to say, we all know how those pictures turned out.

 I just threw this one in for fun!

I'll give you a personal experience that I'm sure you can relate to. My daughter Morgan just eats up the camera...and why wouldn't she? It's only been in her face every day since she was born! So whenever I pick up my phone or camera she is ready to go...cheesy smiles all the way! Her eyes are closed, face is tense and her smile stretches from ear to ear making it easy to count every tooth in her mouth! So in order to avoid that super wide smile that would make her dentist proud, I take most of her pictures when she's preoccupied with something else and naturally interacting and responding to her environment.

YES I caught her in a pick! LOL!

If I want her to look directly at the camera, I will say or do something that makes her laugh and capture the laugh from its inception until it ends in a beautiful smile.

I've gotten better at capturing those heart melting smiles when photographing my little ones but I find that sometimes when I'm photographing other people or their kiddies I tense up and forget what to say or do to encourage natural smiles. After reading some really helpful articles, this is what I uncovered. I hope this works for you when you find yourself in a rut like I do most times.

When Working with Children:

1. Take the time before the shoot to talk with them and make them feel at ease. Get on their level so that you do not appear intimidating. Find out from the parents what interests them and use that little information nugget to start a conversation.

2. When I'm photographing my daughter and her buddies I've noticed that whatever works for her almost always works for the other children as well. Use the goofy stuff you do at home with your kids...try it and see what happens.

3. Peek a boo in my book is foolproof with the little ones. They love it! It's like opening up a can of smiles!

4. Break out in song and intentionally get the words mixed up...Old McDonald had a rocket ship...you get the idea.

5. Tell funny jokes. I have been practicing with knock, knock jokes...can't remember any fun ones...make them up!

6. Play "Simon Says". Which kid doesn't like a good game of "Simon Says?" It's a good way to encourage their participation. "Simon says...hug your brother." Don't forget to make it fun! "Simon says...stick out your tongue!"

7. Tell them not to laugh...I've heard this so many times I decided to give it a try. Here's what I got!

8. If you're photographing a family, have them tickle each other. I've gotten really cute photos when I ask my kids to tickle each other.

9. Ask them what their favorite foods are and have fun with it. Macaroni and jello? Peanut butter and cheese? What!?

10. Sometimes I'll say, "Bet you can't make a face as funny as mine." Children love a challenge. Capture the funny faces and the smiles that follow.

11. I had to share this one. I like to have little ones puff up their cheeks and then pop it. Try it yourself in front of a mirror, cute smiles result!

12. Stick out your tongue...go ahead, do it. This will catch them off guard and produce that genuine laugh you've been waiting for.

Hungry for more? Check out this awesome article: How to Get Natural Smiles in Children's Portraiture by Erin Bell.

Young Adults

Photographing young adults can be a challenge. The key to a successful session is to build their confidence and comfort level. Your correspondence prior to the session is integral in accomplishing this.

1. Effective communication is the best way to put your teenage clients at ease. Be professional and treat them like the young adults that they are. Talk about their hobbies, extracurricular activities, shows they watch, favorite artists or sports figures or what they plan to do after graduation.

2. When assisting them with their wardrobe selection make sure that they choose clothing that represents their sense of style, clothes they feel comfortable wearing. It's important that their photos are a true representation of who they really are.

3. Incorporate their ideas, vision for the shoot or props from any hobbies or extracurricular activities they are involved in.

4. If parents, friends or siblings are present, put them to work for you and have them act the fool behind you to encourage genuine smiles.

Couples

Stop for a moment and think about how it feels to fall in love...to be in love. Your challenge is to manifest that feeling in your photos...to make it real, to make them want to go back to that moment time and time again as they look at their images. That being said, here are some tips to capture those endless smiles and goggly eyes coming your way.

1. The one lesson I have personally experienced is that when photographing couples the question is how do I get them to stop smiling for a second! So steal those moments when they are interacting, smiling, kissing...seemingly oblivious to the camera and you've got it genuine, heartfelt smiles and glances - pure awesomeness!

2. Props are always a great way to lighten the mood and to help your clients forget that the camera is there. Chose items that will add to the photo and not overwhelm or draw attention to itself. A simple blanket, a soda pop that they can share, a romantic card, engagement ring, a hat or a camera for them to play with are just a tiny sample of great props. You can also ask your clients to incorporate props that may have some significance to them, but make sure to have a peek at the item before the day of the shoot.

3. Location, location, location! Yeah we've heard it all before and know how important it is to choose  venues that will encapsulate everyone's vision for the shoot. I personally like locations where the couple can interact with the environment. A playground swing, a boat ride on a lake, a small cafe downtown, a park bench are just the beginning. Having the client's input here as well will garner the true essence of their love in a setting where they feel comfortable and can be themselves in front of the camera.

Well I think that about does it! Now I know that this stuff is not new by any means, it's just my two cents about what works for me. If you have any other tips you would like to share, please leave a comment. As always I would love to hear from you.