Say "NO" to "Cheeeeese!" How to get those Kiddos to Smile...Naturally

We all know the scenario. Your subject is posed perfectly in the grass, hands folded, chin slightly up to grab the very best catch lights in his eyes...you compose the shot...and Mom and Dad peek their faces behind you saying "Cheeeeeeeese!" And this is what you get:

Sigh. We've all been there. So how do we get children to smile naturally in front of the camera?

Here are some quick tips to help:

1.) ENGAGE. 

Interact with the child. Talk with them. Ask them questions. Get to know them. Loosen up and have a real conversation so that they forget that the camera is even between the two of you. Asking them questions will also help you get to know them better so that you can best capture and display their personality in your images. In the next image, I had asked this little boy about school. The conversation turned to his best friend. I inquired what his name was and he replied "Porter." Pretending some deafness, I asked in a goofy high-pitched voice, "Porker!? You're best friend is a pig!?"

I snapped about five to six shots then of him bubbling over with laughter. He yelled, "No!!! Porter!" to which I only continued my pretend deafness and asked if they rolled in the mud together. The laughter continued.

2) Shake off the seriousness and stiffness and be a kid. 

Run with them. Play with them. Play Peek-a-Boo. Make funny sounds. Who cares who's watching you? The more ridiculous you look and sound, the more entertaining you'll be to the child. 

That lens cap you have? Put it on the top of your head while you're composing and let out a giant fake sneeze. (The anticipation of the "ah-ah-ah-ah's" before the giant "CHOO" almost always grabs the child's focus and curiosity.) Then let that lens cap go flying off your head. No need to bring a ton of stuff like puppets and clown noses and feathers on a stick. Use what you have.

Make fart noises. Yup. I said it. Fart noises. I'll let you in on a little secret. I've even resorted to whoopee cushions. This advice comes with a warning label however. Ask the parents first.

Play Simon Says. This works to perfection for posing by the way. Once Simon has them posing just how you want them, make a silly command that'll be sure to get them belly laughing (without the "Simon Says" of course.)

Take a toy and hide it somewhere for the child to find. Make sure it's "hidden" in a place with perfect lighting. Chances are when they find it, they'll flash you that smile because they're proud of "winning" the little game you created.

With teens and seniors, I suggest for them to bring a friend to help loosen them up as well. Sometimes I'll even cue them, setting up a scenario that they are in drama class and they are instructed to laugh. What comes out of them then is always cheesy and fake, but what comes after that, is them naturally laughing at themselves, and THAT is when I start clicking.

Here's an example of the parents requesting a smile with some "Saaaayyyy Cheee-eeeese!"

And here is the same child during a game of Peek-a-Boo mixed with some obnoxious noises.

You can even play the "Iiiiii'm Going to Get you Game."

It works every time.

If you can't find it in you to break out of the stiffness, bring an assistant who can. It will make the experience for all involved much more pleasant.

3.) Encourage them to interact with something.

Set up a lemonade stand or an ice-cream stand. Take them to a park and encourage pretend play. Do a session at the beach where the child can delight in the waves or building a sand castle. Visit a museum or the local fair. Spend an afternoon on a farm. I typically ask some questions before the session to find out what the child may enjoy most, so as to capture them in their natural state. 

Location and Props can really play a huge role in a session.

4.) Encourage them to interact with someone.

Encourage talking, gentle teasing, and as always...tickle fights. You'll capture more than just smiles and laughter, but also CONNECTION.

5.) When all else fails, forget the smiles. 

There is always so much stress on capturing THE smile, but sometimes, it's that quiet moment where the subject is just being them...as they are...that is the most treasured.

Happy Shooting!

~Robin