Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

🤮

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

They go by various cute names. Some are called “Camera Creatures,” “Shutter Huggers,” and “Camera Critters.” These stuffed animals will stretch around the lens. Guaranteed to make people smile. I also use finger puppets. They also work wonders. You become very creative when trying to press a shutter with one of them on. Being creative when photographing people can be a challenge. I would like someone with experience photographing dogs and cats to post a thread. I don’t do very well with dogs. I love them but they are hard to photograph. My dog just waits for a treat!

cyan Loc: Northern NJ

Yeah....that works!!!! And I love kimchee!

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

It’s hard to not laugh when someone has a piece of cabbage caught in between their teeth. But us photographers deserve a good laugh.

JVada Loc: OH

Exactly my sentiments and how I learned it too. Looking for a natural smile, and not a fake one.

stanikon Loc: Deep in the Heart of Texas

Especially if you eat too much cheeeeeze.

ssmiller Loc: crescent city, ca

Yep!

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

Any expereince portrat photograher will tell y'all if you have to ask folks to say "cheeses" to evoke an expression, you are in trouble!

Most rookie portrat shooters are busy learning all their lighting, exposure, ratios, and all that technical stuff that they leave their people skills behind.

Firstly, not every portrait needs to be smiling- nothing wrong with a whole gamut of expressions. When a subject force a smile they often look like a jack-o-lantern. Some folks never smile or don't want to be portrayed with a grin. A good conversation with folks will bring about pleasant and natural expressions.

Not everyone has the same sense of humor. What might be hilarious to one person may be distasteful to another.

Youg kids will react naturally to silliness- and I am good a that. Some adults will react well to silliness as well- if you catch them off guard. I have had several "executive" portraits sitting where the ad agency or art director wants a smile or at least a warm approachable expression- and the subject wants to come off as a "dictator". He sits there, with his arms folded, looking like Mussolini so in my last ditch effort to satisfy the powers that be, I'll balance my handy Kermit the Frog puppet or Oscar the Grouch puppet on my head- at that point, waht to I have to lose? If the subject questions my behavior I assure him that "they will bring me back to the institution after work"- that usually does the trick!

AirWalter Loc: Tipp City, Ohio

Never! I remember what that stuff smells like from when I was over there for 15 months.

Jagnut07 Loc: South Carolina

When I lived in Australia for a few years we needed a corporate group photo. The photographer got all set up then called out “ Naked Ladies”. Sure brought a smile to most of the group!

mannix511 Loc: Mission Hills, L.A., CA

I always say “Smell” instead of “smile” and it works!


[/quote]

jack schade Loc: La Pine Oregon

jack

TheShoe Loc: Lacey, WA

My father-in-law said "money" for pictures.

JimGrog Loc: Wash DC Area

Butterfly also works for a soft smile.

JimGrog Loc: Wash DC Area

Butterfly also works for a soft smile.