Early on in my photography business journey, my subjects usually gave me stiff, unnatural-looking smiles. I had to reflect: what was I doing wrong? I knew telling them to smile or asking them to say “cookie” wasn’t the answer. There had to be a better way.
I read articles, watched videos, and learned how other photographers got natural smiles that made the clients love their photos.
Making connections and staying positive at the session were key. Keeping the photoshoot light and happy would, in turn, make the photos, and the subjects in them, light and happy. Putting down your subject or making them feel awkward would be the opposite of what to do to get the natural smiles that everyone is hoping for.
Individual Photos
Taking the extra step—which is usually just a quick text or two—of asking my client about my subject’s interests makes a huge difference. It’s like going into a photoshoot with 20/20 vision instead of going in blind.
So when I get to the shoot and ask 12-year-old Billy about his crush, Sally, he’ll wonder how I know that information, cringe at the question, but smile anyway because he’s thinking about her now. That natural smile now makes Mom happy. It replaces the awkward “there’s-a-camera-in-my-face” feeling.
Maybe Dad has a certain hobby. Asking him about it and letting him talk for a moment can really break the ice and make him more comfortable.
Maybe 16-year-old Janie is self-conscious about the way she looks in photos. A quick “Wow! You look beautiful!” as you’re sighting through the viewfinder and taking her photos can really bring out that real, natural smile that everyone, even Janie, is looking for. Doing this at the beginning of the session can also build her confidence for the rest of the shoot.
A session with an uncooperative 4-year-old who would look so cute if he could just put his hands in his pockets, rather than his mouth, could sound something like this: “Okay, but I don’t think John has pockets.” To which he replies, “Yes, I do!” And then he promptly sinks them in his pockets all on his own. When his hands come back out, try a quick, “I’m not sure your pockets are deep enough to hold your hands in there.” He’ll put them right back in to prove to you that they are.
Group Photos
After posing everyone, I’ll ask the whole group to do a couple of quick, amusing tasks and then look at me.
For example, I will say, while taking photos, “Okay, everyone, look at the person who is the best at video games.”
click click
“Now look at Mom.”
click click click
“Now look at the youngest.”
click click click
“Now look at me.”
Now they’ll all be looking at the camera and click, click, click, I’ve got my photo. Sometimes I have clients who are so serious about getting the task done that they won’t smile while they’re looking at me. I’ll say, “What’s wrong? Is there a monkey on my head?” Then the smiles and laughter ensue.
Knock-knock jokes are pretty universal. You tell one, then they tell one. Natural smiles usually happen at these moments too.
Get creative and try different things. Keep conversations open. Be interested in what they like and whatever they want to talk about. Staying positive and keeping the shoot light and happy is ideal for a satisfactory session.
