Genuine Expressions

Last year my team and I photographed over a thousand children in our area through school portraits.  The one thing that I hear on a regular basis is “Oh my god, you captured the face that I see every day, not that cheesy forced smile that I always get when I take his or her picture!”

It has dawned on me, that something that has become second nature to me, might still be a mystery for some.  Here are my top tips on capturing genuine expressions in your portraits:

1. Spend a few minutes and just chat.

Whenever I get a child in front of my camera, I am not all business right away.  Take a few minutes, ask them their name and how their day is going.  I speak to children as I would speak to my adult friends.  I don’t put on a cutesy little voice or try to be all over the top with friendliness.  Honestly, I think kids see right through it and then you have lost them.  JUST BE YOU.  If you do get a shy kid in front of your camera, just drop down to their level and be still.  Talk softer and be patient.  Match their energy.  Every kid is different and you need to give them what they need in order to capture that amazing portrait.

 

 

2. Never take the camera away from your face.

After the child is comfortable and you begin shooting, never take the camera away from your face – EVER!  Talk to them through the camera.  Ask them more questions about what they like to do, do they have brothers or sisters, pets, talk about the latest popular video games, movies or television shows.  That perfect expression can happen in a second and if you are not ready you will miss it.

 

3. Be patient.

I don’t like to over shoot and when I am shooting over a hundred children in a day, the fewer shots I can take the better!  Don’t rush that perfect expression.  Wait it out and really look for it.  There is something special about a genuine expression, it has a little extra magic to it and when you do see it you will know.  You will know it in your gut.  A genuine expression will stick out like sore thumb amongst a group of fake smiles.  There is no mistaking it.

4. Start small and build up to the big one!

I always start with a neutral expression when shooting kids.  I will ask for a relaxed mouth “like you are waiting at a bus stop or just hanging with your buds”.  If you ask a kid not to smile, then tend to go to far and look mean or mad.  I usually tell them I am just going to check my settings and light first before we begin.  Keep talking to them though or they will look away.  I then ask for a grin or a tiny smile.  I have found that most kids have no idea what a “grin” is so I ask for a tiny smile.  This one can be a little tricky.  Really watch their eyes and to make sure that they are not just turning up the corners of their mouth.  Finally, I go for the big one.  That huge, toothy, “I cannot contain myself a second longer” smile.  My favourite thing to capture the genuine “big” smile is to make some ridiculous statement or joke.  Sometimes I feel like a comedian that is bombing in front of an entire audience but just keep going.  Talk about poop.  That is a guaranteed way to get a kid to smile!!  The perfect expression hides right behind the laugh and it only shows for split second.  That is why we keep our cameras to our face!  Immediately following the laugh, when they are calming down from laughing at how funny or not funny you are, they will relax into a genuine smile.  Be ready because it is awesome!

5. Not every genuine expression is a large smile.

Some of the greatest expressions that I have captured from children are quiet, non smiley ones.  Don’t expect that the genuine expression has to be that big toothy smile.  Some kids are quiet.  They are shy. They don’t enjoy being loud, boisterous or crazy.  You need to recognize the personality of the child and assess quickly where you think their true expression is going to be hiding.  Don’t be fixated on the smile itself.  Fixate on the little personality in front on you.

Interested in booking your own newborn session?  Click here for more information about booking a session with us or contact us at info@corrielindroosphotography.com

Corrie Lindroos Photography is a Squamish based studio that specializes in newborn, children and family photography.