Making people smile / prepare them for a picture

Doing my first pseudo paid event this weekend (I'm being paid in food and alcohol, but it would have cost me 30quid to go to this charity event otherwise). In the past to make fun pictures I've made them groups something funny, get people to jump, do a funny pose / flex, or things like everyone point at one person.

What do you guys do to make people look good in photos? There's something in me that hates the fake smile with people just lined up. That's not to say I don't take those types as well - esp for older folks - but I'm looking for some inspiration here. I've also never done anything in a formal setting.

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K-5; Siggy 10-20 f4, 30mm f1.4, 18-50mm f2.8, 70-200mm f2.8; Tammy 400mm f4, 500mm f8

I'd be quite interested in this too.

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If you can't say something nice about Pentax, you won't say anything at all.

Apparently.

Me too, its something i struggle with.

On wedding shoots i usually ask the bride and groom to kiss, then say "now everyone kiss" and wait for the reaction.

That will only work at a wedding though obviousley.

anyone else got suggestions?

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K7,K10d,16-50 Da*,50-135 Da*. Looking for a good macro.

My Website

I get them to smile that awful fake photo smile, take the picture and then take another two or three as they relax and think whew that's the photos over with.

Another thing I do is just use a longer lens and get candids of people.

Was shooting the sister in law's wedding at the weekend, and I had trouble getting people to smile, so I just shouted at the group 'what word should I use then' the wife (maid of honour!) shouted 'PENIS!!'

Needless to say, everyone laughed and I got the shot!

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Less suitable for a kids party though!

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If you can't say something nice about Pentax, you won't say anything at all.

Apparently.

Lets keep the suggestions coming! I don't mind hearing anything even if it's a bit crazy.

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K-5; Siggy 10-20 f4, 30mm f1.4, 18-50mm f2.8, 70-200mm f2.8; Tammy 400mm f4, 500mm f8

I saw a wonderful series of actors and famous people where the photographer had taken shots with a very silly hat (it was a knitted jester type thing). He got them to just to wear it anyway they wanted as a warm up exercise.

Did a little shoot at our kiddy party once with various hats. The results were the best I've ever had - people really seemed to relax and enjoy it.

...might not work at a wedding...

Formal shots: get everyone to close their eyes, tell them to open their eyes and smile when you count to three. That can be pretty successful.


Another one is to get them to blow up their cheeks and blurt out the air (show them how). Usually gets a relaxed smile as it's such a silly action

Matt

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http://www.mattmatic.co.uk
(For gallery, tips and links)

Wasn't that why Pentax brought out all those funny colours off the K-X?

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Stefan


K10D, K5
DA* 16-50, DA* 50-135, D-FA 100 Macro, DA 40 Ltd, DA 18-55
AF-540FGZ

I find shouting "Boobies" works but only for the first few shots and its child friendly.

I used to ask them to say Truprint, but that only worked when the add was on the tely in which the photographer used to say the same thing to everyone he took a picture of.

I tried asking them to say "Gorgonzola Cheese Souffle" a few times thinking they would see the joke and laugh but they didn't and just said "Gorgonzola Cheese Souffle" with a serious face.

Algi

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Half Man... Half Pentax ... Half Cucumber

Pentax K-1 + K-5 and some other stuff

Algi

I get people to keep their lips sealed and try to blow out through their mouth. Usually - after a second or two they burst into laughter!

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Regards
David

Retired at last - now all that time for photography - you would think: wink:

I'm surprised they haven't slipped the trendy new "smile detection" system into the Kx, it would be an obvious fit for the multi-coloured market. Maybe the algorithms aren't available to be licenced, or the processor isn't capable of being programmed that way...

Back to the OP's question - probably the best thing to do is not let people realise they are being photographed, so shoot from the hip whilst having a casual chat and sharing jokes... I know if I think someone is pointing a camera anywhere near me I either hide or pull faces...

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Still shooting in the dark (literally and metaphorically)...

How old did you say you are, Flossie?

G

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Keywords: Charming, polite, and generally agreeable.

My 7 month old Grandaughter now associates the camera with attention so is a willing model...

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Regards
David

Retired at last - now all that time for photography - you would think: wink: