How to Get Natural Smiles from Your Kids {Charleston, SC Children’s Photographer}

We’ve all been there – cajoling children with promises of sugary treats if they will just give us ONE. REAL. SMILE.  Despite the age-old saying that it takes fewer muscles to smile than it does to frown, sometimes it seems that a sour puss is far easier to come by when photographing children (especially our own!).  I’ve been a photographing mama for nearly ten years, and I have picked up some great tips on how to get natural smiles from your kids.

1) Please don’t say “CHEESE!”

I have lots of “do’s”, but this is the only “don’t.”  I’ve had many a parent hover over my shoulder and say to their child, “Just say ‘cheese’!”  While getting a child to say a certain word that makes a natural-looking smile can sometimes be effective, “cheese,” in particular, is notorious for generating squinty (or deer-in-the-headlights) eyes and a big, fake-ola grin.  In a pinch, I’ll ask my little clients to say something like “pizza” (words ending in “uh” or “ah” are generally better than “cheese”).  However, in many cases the smile doesn’t reach the eyes (telltale sign of a true smile), and so I don’t find this method to be particularly effective.

2) Give them a job.

Kids were not made to sit still and follow directions for any length of time.  If you give them something to do that is even a little bit fun, you are sure to keep them happy.  Have them blow bubbles.  Tell them to twirl in a circle.  Ask them to smell that beautiful flower.  Turn the shoot into a game (a quick little game of Simon Says often works for me).

3) Act SILLY!

Depending on the age of the child, this may require a few different strategies.  Toddlers just love a game of peekaboo, or listening to a grown-up make animal sounds.  I always have an arsenal of knock-knock jokes at the ready for older kids.  My dance moves?  Sure to crack the toughest nut!  My point is, don’t be afraid to make a complete fool of yourself.  You may find that you end up having a ton of fun in the process, and the end results are totally worthwhile.  (Secret weapon: if used very sparingly, a well-placed farting noise always elicits laughter, especially with boys!)

4) Engage your subject.

Get down on their level (like, on the ground) and have a conversation with them.  It shows that you are interested in them, not just their picture.  Talk about things that they might like, and the enthusiasm will show on their faces.  If you have siblings as subjects, have one whisper something into the ear of the other one.  Sometimes it’s sweet nothings, sometimes it’s silly jokes, sometimes it’s just nonsense, but it typically works for a giggle or two.  Also, for some reason, asking any kid of school age if they have a boyfriend or girlfriend can add a lovely blush to the cheeks and shy smile (or look of sheer indignation, which can also be priceless!).

5) Tell them not to smile.

No smiles under ANY circumstances.  This is a trick that requires patience and good timing.  Usually subjects will look so stern and serious – furrowed brow, big frown face.  Eventually though (and some kids are so good at this it may take a little while), they dissolve into a laugh.  Be ready for that moment when they do!  Sometimes I’ll ask kids to give me their best scary face, mean face, angry face, surprised face, and so on.  They end up having so much fun that there will definitely be a happy face in there somewhere.

6) Hit the reset button.

This usually happens toward the end of a session when kids are just tired and their cheeks hurt.  Or they’re really hyper and every movement and expression is super-exaggerated.  I will have them try to sit still, close their eyes, relax their faces (at this point, many of them take me a little too seriously and melt into napping position).  I tell them simply to open their eyes on my count of three and that is when I snap the picture (added bonus if you can get the image right before their pupils contract in the light – it’s beautiful!).  I used this method with the shot below where Mom happened to be doing something outrageous behind me (totally unplanned) as B opened her eyes – real, priceless expression!

7) Show them how they look.

Kids want to know that they are doing a good job.  Offer positive, encouraging words and show them the back of the camera to see themselves getting it RIGHT.  Show them the difference between a real, natural smile, and a forced, cheesy grin.

8) Relinquish control.

Sometimes you just have to let go of your expectations of “the perfect shot.”  There have been so many times when I thought I knew exactly what I wanted and spent so much time trying to coax my daughters into the perfect pose in the perfect light when – WHAMMO! – they did something totally unexpected, and the shot turned out to be something far better than I had even envisioned.  Big toothy smiles where kids are looking at the camera are great, but be open to happy surprises.