How to get everyone to smile?

gramps

gramps

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Was watching a photographer the other day taking a photo of a fairly large group ... as he was getting ready to take the photo he said, "Would the lady in the middle row please lift her chin up", (there were a few ladies in the middle row) ... a few moments later he said, "Would the lady in the middle row now please lift her other chin up" ... snap went the shutter.
Everyone was smiling in the photo!

How do you get your subjects to 'Smile please'?
 
I could see that one causing few problems. :)
 
I like that one, but I could imagine a few handbags flying at you. Might have to try it sometime though, just remember to duck. That's why I really don't like taking photos of groups, I don't smile much myself (broken jaw as a kid leaves my smile very lopsided and I'm very self conscious of it) so I can't criticise others that also don't smile.
 
Falling over the edgeing of the path usually works for me as I walk backwards.

and a good one at the weekend was to remind everyone just before they throw the confetti to take it out of the box.
 
Say "sex" works. Or take a number of shots and let PS do the rest!
 
Everybody rise your glasses and say YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!

They don't often all raise their glasses, some people don't have a drink with them.

Nor do they all say YEAAAAAHHHH!

But you will get a smile.

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gramps said:
Was watching a photographer the other day taking a photo of a fairly large group ... as he was getting ready to take the photo he said, "Would the lady in the middle row please lift her chin up", (there were a few ladies in the middle row) ... a few moments later he said, "Would the lady in the middle row now please lift her other chin up" ... snap went the shutter.
Everyone was smiling in the photo!

How do you get your subjects to 'Smile please'?
Click to expand...

I envisage this will cause a lot of people look in the middle row searching for the double chin lady rather than looking at the photographer.
 
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Brave with the "chins" comment but funny if you get away with it :)
 
I always tell the "blinker" to quit it or I'll have to photoshop a set of eyes onto them . Always gets a giggle!
 
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tell everyone on the count of 3 to cry, then shout 3.


I had one wedding where 1 group shot I just couldn't get everyone looking at me, smiling and eyes open. after about 7 or 8 photos I knew it wasn't going to happen.

Went home, and merged two together, replaced heads etc and it worked a treat :p
 
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I usually take a few with everyone looking at me and to try and liven it up I ask for three cheers for the bride and groom, after the first Hip Hip the response is pretty half-hearted and I always follow that up with "Is that it?" which always results in smiles and laughs. Works every time!
 
"Looks like ive got to remind everyone theyre at a wedding, not a funearl. cheer up folks"
"Say to my wifey(loudly), whos doing the group shot "look at this lot, faces like smacked bums, you'd think they were at a funeral.
Or do the "big wave and a cheer for the B&G. tell em what to do, on the count of three. When they do it first time, say. "that was rubbish".
Then "Look, i'll demonstrate agin, for those people from Shirebrook." Do a very dramatic wave etc, and talk SLOWLY.
Then do it again.
Always worked for me.
Even used "Would the bald gentleman at the back tilt his head back slightly, the glare is hurting my eyes."
I'm cheeky enough, and loud enough to get away with some cheek, but it depends on the people sometimes.

Even said "Right, we'll get this group shot done, then i'm gonna get the shots up the guys kilts"
That got a heck of a laugh.
 
I have not got a smiley face at the best of times (some people just haven't) but being faced with a photographer who thinks they are funny certainly won't do it for me.

Luckily I don't go to many weddings so not an issue.
 
I find getting them to shout 'wheres my pig' works (I borrowed that from daryl)
 
I'd go with that yeahhh thing.. so many times a photographer is trying to be funny and fails.. awkward for everyone.
 
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