St.Mary's

Once read that people smiling for photographs only began with the advent of motion pictures around the 1920s, when actors and actresses smiled on the big screen. Some reason to believe that as one looks at 100 plus year old photos of people.

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

Your way sounds good to me. Also, Larrypage who said, lick the lips and drop the jaw a bit. Also, saying, "Bee" turns up the corners of the mouth better than "cheese".

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

Count me in your group.

TonyBot

My two go-to "say cheese" comments are either: "say WORMS" (which gets a lot of raised eyebrows and small chuckles), or the one that gets the most *real* smiles is "say BIG BOOBS".

mikegreenwald Loc: Illinois

Ed is right - a friendly conversation leads the subject to relax and enjoy the session. Most successful portraitists I've known have had the gift of gab - they talk while working, and keep their subject engaged.
For myself, I'm a truly lousy portraitist, but when forced into the situation, I give it a try. When all else fails, I usually get a relaxed and pleasant expression by saying " look MAD!"

anotherview Loc: California

I have this sense that human smiling has become a part of the concept of social IQ.

I've read that social IQ in the workplace lubricates human interaction with the result that the person smiling advances more readily than those individuals who smile less.

I've also read that our genetic makeup determines the physical quality of our smile.

This a big subject. I offer my 2 cents.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

At the end of the day, we are photographing PEOPLE! Obviously, not all people are the same and each person will react differently to various stimuli. What may be funny, amusing or appropriate for one person may seem silly, vulgar, inappropriate or downright stupid to another person. The is no "one size fits all" solution in human relations.

It all boils down to your PEOPLE skills. A good portrait, wedding, event, public relations, and/or theatrical photograher can adapt quickly to various people, personalities and circumstances.

If there is any rule of thumb that applies to most folks it is that most people will relax and respond well to kindness, professionalism, a friendly attitude and good conversation. Some folks love to have the picture taken, some would rather visit their dentist and there is everything in between.

After many years of wedding photography, I have learned how to enlist peoples' cooperation under somewhat nervous or oftentimes semi-chaotic circumstances. It's a skill to direct folks without seeming to boss them around. Executive or corporate portraiture can be challenging as well. Someof the "big bosses" want to look serious in the images. Problem is, the PR department and ad agency want them to look "approachable" in their publicity and annual report photographs. The PR folks profess that folks and investors don't like "dictators"! So, I make sure I capture a wide variety of expressions, submit the "proofs" and let the bosses and the PR folks fight it out amongst themselves- oftentimes the smiles win. Sometimes more stern shots end up in the annual report but the "nice guy" shot is for the family! Nowadays the formal and typical 'executive" image has to give way to a more casual "shirtsleeves" kinda look. It all depends on the image they decide to project.

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

Wisdom from experience.

JohnR Loc: The Gates of Hell

[quote=Rongnongno]In natural state we as human rarely smile or even laugh.

Say cheese Not my photo but my Granddaughter and Great Grandson - don't you just love those smiles. Cheers JohnR

(Download)

Rongnongno Loc: FL

[quote=JohnR]
You want an honest answer or one that flatters your perception?

JohnR Loc: The Gates of Hell

Sad

Horseart Loc: Alabama

I ask them to say "Money" and stretch it to "monnnnnn-neeeeey" It causes them to smile naturally (slightly) at the mere mention of the word and gives you time to catch the smile in both syllables.

User ID

You just answered your own question.

Horseart Loc: Alabama

My favorite is smoked Gouda, but back to smiles. I'm sure it takes you no time to get the look that you know will be most flattering to your subjects, but I'm betting that if people laugh when they see you, it's only because you give them a happy, comfortable feeling and they know they are about to deal with a master photographer! I'll never be a good photographer but knowing that will never stop me from trying! Thank you for all the info you give us here.

Rongnongno Loc: FL

No, an honest answer to a post that is nothing more than trolling by offering something that no one in his/her right mind would try to answer negatively.