I. Relaxing and Setting the Stage
1. Relax Yourself First: Before you even think about smiling, take a deep breath. Tense shoulders translate into a stiff smile. Do some light stretching or shaking out your arms and legs.
2. Choose a Comfortable Environment: Location matters! If you're uncomfortable, it will show. Opt for a place where the subject feels at ease. Consider their favorite park, coffee shop, or even their own home.
3. Have a Conversation: Instead of immediately posing, engage in a casual conversation. Talk about something the person is passionate about, or something that makes them laugh. This helps them relax and forget they're being photographed.
4. Warm-Up Exercises: Try a few silly facial exercises beforehand. Make funny faces in the mirror, widen your eyes, scrunch up your nose, and then relax. This loosens up the facial muscles.
II. Triggering Genuine Emotion
5. Think of Something Happy: Encourage the subject to think about a happy memory, a funny joke, or a loved one. These positive thoughts will naturally bring a smile to their face.
6. Tell a Joke (or Have Someone Else Tell One): Laughter is contagious! A well-timed joke can elicit a genuine smile. If you're not a comedian, have a friend or family member tell a joke.
7. Recall Funny Memories: Prompt the subject to remember a funny or embarrassing moment. Reminiscing about shared laughter is a great way to get a natural smile.
8. Talk About Passions/Hobbies: Discussing things they love will bring a natural enthusiasm to their face. Ask them about their favorite hobby or a project they're currently working on.
III. Posing and Technique
9. Slight Squint/Smize: Instead of widening the eyes too much, suggest a slight squint. This creates a more relaxed and genuine look. Think "smizing" - smiling with your eyes. Show the corners of your eyes crinkling a bit.
10. Open Mouth Smiles vs. Closed Mouth Smiles: Experiment with both! Some people look more natural with their teeth showing, while others prefer a closed-mouth smile. Let the subject decide what feels most comfortable. Encourage a slight parting of the lips even in a closed-mouth smile.
11. Angle the Face: A slight angle is almost always more flattering than shooting straight on. Experiment with turning the head slightly to one side or the other.
12. "Think" the Smile: Instead of saying "cheese," tell the subject to "think" the smile. This encourages a more subtle and natural expression. They should also think of something that makes them genuinely happy.
13. Light Lip Touch: For a closed-mouth smile, tell them to *slightly* touch their lips together, but not press them tightly. This prevents the "thin-lipped" look.
14. Avoid "Forced" Posing: Don't over-pose. The more natural the pose, the more natural the smile will be. Simple poses, like leaning against a wall or sitting on a bench, often work best.
15. Involve Movement: Action shots often lead to more natural smiles. Have the subject walk, dance, or interact with their surroundings. Capture candid moments as they move.
IV. During the Photo Session
16. Use Continuous Shooting (Burst Mode): Capture a series of photos in rapid succession. This increases the chances of catching a genuine smile in between the posed ones.
17. Give Positive Feedback: Offer encouragement and positive feedback throughout the session. "That looks great!" or "I love that pose!" can help the subject feel more confident and relaxed.
18. Don't Say "Cheese": "Cheese" often results in a forced, unnatural smile. Instead, try saying words that end in "a," like "yoga" or "pizza." This helps to create a more natural lip shape.
19. Be Patient: Getting a genuine smile takes time. Don't rush the process. Be patient and understanding, and allow the subject to relax and feel comfortable.
20. Be Silly Yourself: The photographer's mood is contagious. Act silly, make jokes, and show that you're having fun. This will help the subject relax and feel more comfortable being themselves.
By using these tips, you can help your subjects relax and showcase their most authentic and beautiful smiles in photos. Remember that practice and patience are key! Good luck!