My Take on Smiling and Portrait Photography

Say Cheeeeeese!

I'd like to say that I've broken this tradition of prompting “say cheese” in my own family with my children but that wouldn't be true. This phrase is so common my kids will often blurt CHEESE in front of a camera without any adult exclaiming it to them first.

While my philosophy is to not ask people to smile in their photos sometimes I still catch myself asking even though I have been aware of this self-imposed policy for years.

The reason why I actively remind myself to not say cheese is because I want to make room for authentic personalities to shine.

A smiley person pretty much doesn’t need to be asked to smile. And a not-so-smiley person shouldn’t be asked to smile either. For example, I wouldn’t ask someone to have their portrait taken without their glasses if they wore glasses 100% of the time - that is unless they request photos with and without.

While I am the photographer, I am fully aware that the photographs I am taking are for the people in the photograph. Not the other way around.

My hope is to capture authentic moments people will love forever. And if someone wants to tap into another side of themselves during their photo session I will 100% support.

A Extremely Brief History Lesson (compliments of a Google search)

If you were to Google Happiest Man in China Photo you’d quickly see a great example of someone breaking the mold. But in that case being a trend setter meant flashing an infectious cheesy grin - rather than being calm and still. In the early days of photography some cameras relied on long exposures and people would need to keep still in order to get a clean portrait. And because cameras were not widely accessible the event was formal, exclusive to the people of privelege. And because the wealthy traditionally sat for hours while a painter recorded their likeness I can’t imagine the culture of sitting unsmiling for long periods of time was undone overnight by the early days of photography.

Sit here, look here and wait. How boring is that?

It makes me sad to think of all the quicky and hilarious people who will only be remembered by stoic stares.

Living in the now, my goal is to help capture personas in their honest beautiful glory. Sappy I know. I just love portrait photography so much.

What to Expect When You’re In Front of my Camera

Starting any portrait or photo session I’ll let you know off the bat you are not on the hook for looking any sort of way while I get my camera ready and settings just right..

Once I have my settings lined up, it’ll be go time.

My posing prompts are very basic. I’ll suggest directions for you look with your eyes, where to point your toes toward as well as whether to sit, stand or even walk one way or the other.

I’ll ask for you to put your hands in your pockets, or sway back and forth, or even have you pretend to put your hair behind your ear.

If you want me to prompt you to smile so that you can end up with a variety of expressions in your portraits I will accommodate and support- but automatically I will let you lead with how you want to express yourself on your own. In other words, unless you ask me to remind you to I will not ask you to smile.

What do you think?

If you think I am the portrait photographer for you, don’t hesitate to book today.