How to Make Your Models Smile Naturally for Portraits (2024)

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Dec 05, 2023By Taya Ivanova

How to Make Your Models Smile Naturallywww.sleeklens.com

The dreaded “cheese” is something that most portrait photographers tend to avoid. Fake smiles and laughter are as uncomfortable for the model as they are for the photo-taker. How can you make someone smile genuinely, though? The idea seems virtually impossible, especially if you consider strangers whose personalities and interests are unknown to you.

When all else fails, many photographers turn to reverse psychology. The tricks within this field can make even the most serious subjects burst out laughing. These tips are guaranteed to not only bring a smile to your model’s face but help you create a pleasant environment that will make anyone feel at home. Before you know it, your portfolio will be filled with beautiful smiles, genuine emotions, and cozy atmospheres.

Table of Contents

Create a Comfortable Environment for Them

Before you attempt to make people smile, get to know them. What are their interests? What kind of photographers do they admire? A general knowledge of any person will enable you to create the most comfortable environment for a model. A short meet-up will allow you to introduce yourself properly and appreciate the model’s talents. If you remain confident in your own skin, you’ll make any person you speak to feel like themselves in your presence. Finding mutual interests and hobbies will take you even further, giving you an abundance of topics to discuss and mention during the photoshoot itself.

Give Them Room for Imagination

Thoughts have the power to dramatically change moods and comfort levels. As a photographer, you can gently guide your models’ thoughts in the right direction by giving them heartwarming topics to think or talk about. This will inevitably make them smile and give you lots of opportunities to capture their true happiness.

Encourage Them

Though encouragement will make your model feel relaxed, remember to give compliments only when you truly mean them. This will show your models that you’re not simply throwing words around to distract them. Another form of encouragement is constructive criticism. If a certain pose doesn’t work, just be honest and offer an alternative. This will build mutual trust, which will help you understand what uplifts and irks your models.

Surprise them with Unusual Instructions

Distractions and surprises can catch people off guard in the best way possible. If you ask your models not to smile at all, for example, you’ll compel them to smile at least once. Tricks like this may not work for everyone, but they’re certainly worth experimenting with. Here are a few more surprising things you can do:

Ask them to do something silly like shake their head, dance, or make a funny face. Don’t be afraid of awkwardness, as it will ease any tension and help you take great photos of even greater smiles.
Your models don’t have to be the only ones who feel silly. Share a funny experience with them and be open to making awkward mistakes. There’s nothing quite as charismatic as a humorous photographer.
If nothing works, ask them to say “money” instead of “cheese.” Though the resulting smile won’t be completely genuine, it’ll help you get at least one authentic-looking shot.

You don’t have to be an extrovert to make others smile. You don’t even have to be a comedian to make someone giggle. All you need is to be your true self. A photographer’s authenticity, mixed with a model’s willingness to collaborate, will create natural photographs and brilliant friendships. Letting others know that you’re truly interested in their creative lives will make them feel exceedingly comfortable in your presence. Once you get to this stage, the natural smiles will immediately come to you. All you need is a little bit of patience.

And of course, don’t forget to smile. 🙂

Rating: 5.00 based on 4Ratings

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Taya Ivanova

I'm an admirer of nature, a photographer, and a curious reader. Writing about photography and helping others improve is a growing passion of mine. My constant wish is to inspire others to be creatively fearless and endlessly curious."Always dream bigger is my advice to you, because you can have whatever your heart desires"- Ashley Graham

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As a seasoned photography enthusiast with a deep understanding of portrait photography, I can provide insights into the concepts discussed in the article "How to Make Your Models Smile Naturally" by Taya Ivanova. My extensive experience in the field allows me to relate to and expand upon the strategies mentioned in the article.

Create a Comfortable Environment for Them: The article rightly emphasizes the importance of building a comfortable environment for the models. Drawing on my expertise, I can attest to the significance of getting to know your subjects. Understanding their interests and preferences enables a photographer to establish rapport, creating an atmosphere where genuine smiles are more likely to emerge. This approach aligns with the fundamental principle of establishing a connection with the models.

Give Them Room for Imagination: The suggestion to guide models' thoughts towards heartwarming topics is a nuanced approach that resonates with my own experiences. A skilled photographer can delve into the model's personal experiences, hobbies, and memories, providing a rich source of inspiration for capturing authentic emotions. This technique is an excellent example of tapping into the psychological aspects of photography to evoke genuine expressions.

Encourage Them: Encouragement is a powerful tool in portrait photography, as highlighted in the article. My practical knowledge reinforces the idea that sincere compliments and constructive criticism contribute to building trust between the photographer and the model. Establishing trust is crucial for creating an environment where models feel at ease, allowing for natural and spontaneous expressions to emerge.

Surprise them with Unusual Instructions: The article introduces the concept of using surprising instructions to capture genuine smiles. Drawing from my own experiences, I can validate the effectiveness of introducing elements of surprise during a photoshoot. Asking models to engage in unexpected, playful actions can lead to spontaneous and authentic reactions, breaking down barriers and fostering a lighthearted atmosphere.

Authenticity and Patience: The overarching theme of authenticity and patience is a key takeaway from the article. This aligns with my belief that a photographer's genuine interest in the creative lives of their subjects, combined with patience, forms the foundation for capturing natural photographs. Building a connection based on authenticity and allowing time for models to feel comfortable are essential elements in achieving the desired results.

In conclusion, the strategies discussed in Taya Ivanova's article align with proven techniques in portrait photography. The emphasis on building connections, tapping into the psychological aspects of subjects, and incorporating surprise elements reflects a comprehensive understanding of the art. My own experiences in the field reinforce the effectiveness of these concepts, making them valuable tools for photographers seeking to capture genuine and spontaneous smiles.