Capturing Joy: My Smile For The Camera

It's natural to smile when you see a camera, but it's not always easy to make your smile look unforced. There are several tricks to help you smile naturally for the camera. If you're feeling nervous, take a few seconds to relax and close your eyes, or focus on relaxing your face and jaw muscles. Think about something or someone that makes you happy, or do something silly like making motorboat sounds with your lips or shaking your head. You can also try saying money instead of cheese to make your smile look more genuine.

How to smile naturally for the camera

Smiling naturally for the camera can be challenging, but with a few tips, anyone can achieve a genuine and joyful smile in photos. Here are some instructions on how to smile naturally for the camera:

Relax your body and mind:

Take a few deep breaths, close your eyes, and focus on relaxing your body. Shake out your arms and legs, straighten your back, and stretch to release any tension. Relax your face and jaw muscles by becoming aware of any clenching or furrowing. Consciously relax your forehead, cheek muscles, lips, jawline, and facial muscles.

Think happy thoughts:

Bring to mind people, things, or memories that make you happy. Imagine someone you like, such as a loved one or a favourite fictional character, taking your photo. You can also ask the photographer to tell a joke or strike up a lighthearted conversation to boost your mood.

Practice makes perfect:

Spend some time in front of a mirror before the shoot to explore your facial expressions and find your most beautiful smile. Try different types of smiles, from wide grins to subtle closed-mouth smiles, and see which one feels and looks the most natural.

Avoid saying "cheese":

While it may be tempting to say "cheese" for a photo, this often results in an awkward or unnatural smile. Instead, try saying "money," as this movement of the lips creates a more natural-looking smile.

Engage your whole face:

A genuine smile involves more than just your mouth. Engage all your facial muscles, including your eyes, to achieve a Duchenne Smile, which is widely recognised as a sincere smile. Practice "smizing," or smiling with your eyes, to convey happiness even when the rest of your face is covered or not directly visible.

Pay attention to your teeth and lips:

When it comes to displaying your teeth, avoid clenching or forcing your teeth closed, as this can create tension in your neck or jaw. Instead, allow your teeth to gently rest on each other for a relaxed smile. Also, be mindful of your lip positioning to avoid a strained expression. Moisturising your lips beforehand can help prevent a dry or cracked appearance.

By following these tips and focusing on your relaxation and genuine happiness, you'll be able to smile naturally and confidently for the camera.

The history of posed photos

Early photographs, due to the limitations of the technology, required long exposure times, and so the subjects often had to remain still for several minutes while the image was captured. This is why, in many old photographs, the people being photographed look so serious, confused or bored. It was simply impractical to hold a smile for that long. In some cases, the subjects were even held in place with stands and clamps to prevent them from wobbling and blurring the image.

However, this was not always the case. A collection of photos of smiling Victorians from the Retronaut website proves that smiling in photos is not simply a modern phenomenon. The difference in poses and facial expressions can also be attributed to the difference between studio portrait photography, which was common in the 19th century, and the candid, informal and widespread photography of today. Portrait photos, even today, tend to be more serious than the photos parents take of their children on smartphones.

The evolution of posed photos is also influenced by cultural factors. For example, in some countries, it is still common for people to stop smiling as soon as the camera comes out, even if they are having a jolly time. In Japan, a casual point-and-shoot photo is often accompanied by a peace sign, while formal photos are taken without smiles.

The art of posing for photos has also been influenced by the photographers themselves, who may ask their subjects to strike certain poses or make particular facial expressions. For example, the "bunny ears" pose was very popular for a while but seems to have disappeared in recent years. Photographers may also use tricks to make their subjects smile naturally, such as asking them to say "money" instead of "cheese", or to think about something that makes them happy.

Over time, the purpose of photographs has also changed. In the past, photos were often formal and posed, while today, there is a wide variety of photo styles, from formal poses to candid shots with minimal regard for the subject's awareness of the camera.

Why candid photos are better

Candid photography is a powerful tool in your creative arsenal, allowing you to capture raw, unfiltered moments that make life truly remarkable. Here are some reasons why candid photos are better:

Capturing Authentic Moments:

Candid photos capture genuine and unposed moments, revealing genuine emotions, expressions, and interactions. They offer a glimpse into real-life moments, creating a sense of connection and storytelling that can be more captivating than posed images.

Telling a Story:

Candid photos are all about storytelling and capturing moments as they unfold organically. The goal is to learn to see and capture these moments, so you can tell a story through your images. Whether it's a wedding, a family portrait, or a street scene, candid photos convey a message or convey a feeling that is often more meaningful than a staged shot.

Being Unobtrusive:

In candid photography, the photographer aims to blend into the surroundings and capture moments without being noticed. This can be achieved by using a long focal length lens, a small camera with a small lens, or even shooting from the hip. By being discreet, you can capture natural moments without interrupting the flow of events or making your subjects feel self-conscious.

Capturing Spontaneity:

Candid photography is all about capturing the spontaneity of a moment. By anticipating and recognizing patterns, you can develop the ability to see the future and capture moments before they happen. This gives you more control over spontaneous moments and allows you to be part of the moment while standing back and capturing it.

Improving Your Skills:

Candid photography requires a unique set of skills, such as interpersonal and observational skills, the ability to blend in, and technical knowledge of your camera settings. By constantly practicing and refining these skills, you can improve your photography overall and capture more meaningful images.

Tricks to help you smile for the camera

Relax your body and mind

If you're feeling nervous, take a few deep breaths and close your eyes. You can also try some breathing exercises, like counting your breaths. This will help you relax and smile more naturally when you're ready to open your eyes.

Avoid saying "cheese"

Saying "cheese" can result in an unnatural-looking smile. Instead, try saying a word that ends with an "uh" sound, like "panda" or "banana." Alternatively, Mathieu Stern, a photographer, suggests a Hollywood trick: say "money." This movement of the lips creates a more natural-looking smile.

Loosen up your face and jaw muscles

When nervous, our jaw tends to clench and our eyebrows furrow. To avoid this, focus on relaxing your forehead, cheek muscles, lips, jawline, and facial muscles. You can also try a dentist-recommended trick: unlock your jaw by stopping pressing your tongue to the roof of your mouth.

Think happy thoughts

This is one of the oldest tricks to smile naturally. Think about people, things, or memories that make you happy. You can also imagine someone you like, such as a loved one or a favourite fictional character, taking your photo.

Get goofy

If you're feeling up for it, do something silly! Make motorboat sounds, shake your head, or do your favourite silly dance. This will help you relax and take your mind off the camera.

Practise your smile

Before the shoot, practise smiling in front of a mirror. Explore your face and find your most beautiful smile. Try different types of smiles: wide smiles, modest smiles, or even pageant smiles with a little wave. Get creative and have fun with it!

Ask the photographer to tell a joke

If you need a smile boost, don't be afraid to ask the photographer to tell a joke. Alternatively, you can take a short break and tell a joke yourself. This will help loosen the mood and put a smile on both your faces.

Focus on your eyes

A true Duchenne smile is when the muscles around your eyes are engaged, making it look authentic. When smiling for a picture, focus on making your eyes sparkle. You can do this by pulling back your lips slightly at the corners and raising your brows.

Show your teeth

Exposing your teeth, even just your upper teeth, will brighten your face and make you look more cheerful. However, you don't have to show all your teeth—find the amount of teeth you feel comfortable showing.

Find your best angle

Facing the camera head-on might not be the most flattering pose. Instead, try turning your head slightly to one side to showcase your bone structure. If you have a "good" side, angle your face to bare that side to the camera. Just make sure your face is tilted at a natural angle.

The psychology of fake smiles

The Science Behind Smiling

The idea that a smile can improve your mood is a popular one. The "facial feedback hypothesis" suggests that smiling can make you happier, while frowning can make you angrier. This theory was first proposed by Charles Darwin in the 1800s and is still taught in psychology classes today. However, recent research suggests that the relationship between smiling and happiness is more complicated than previously thought.

The Impact of Smiling on Mood

While the act of smiling may not significantly impact happiness, it can have some influence. A study reviewing 50 years of data found that if smiling boosts happiness, it is only by a small amount. Out of 100 people, only about seven might feel happier after smiling. Additionally, the type of smile may play a role, with genuine smiles of joy having a different effect than sarcastic or forced smiles.

Detecting Fake Smiles

While some people may struggle to distinguish between fake and genuine smiles, others are more adept at it. Psychologist Richard Wiseman created an empathy test to assess individuals' ability to differentiate between fake and real smiles. The test involves showing participants photographs of subjects with fake and genuine smiles. The public typically scores around 60% accuracy, while certain professions, such as social scientists and journalists, scored higher, with 80% and 73% accuracy, respectively.

Techniques for a Natural Smile

For those seeking to capture a natural smile in front of the camera, several techniques can be employed:

• Relax your face and jaw muscles by taking deep breaths, closing your eyes, and focusing on releasing tension from your forehead, cheek muscles, and jaw.
• Think about something or someone that makes you happy, like a favorite memory, person, or even your favorite cartoon character.
• Listen to music that makes you smile or laugh.
• Practice smiling in front of a mirror to explore different types of smiles and find the one that feels most natural to you.
• Engage your whole face when you smile, not just your mouth. A genuine smile uses more facial muscles and shows in the lines around the eyes. A genuine smile, known as a Duchenne Smile, turns up the corners of the mouth, causing wrinkles at the corners of the eyes and lighting up the entire face.

In conclusion, while the "facial feedback hypothesis" suggests a strong link between smiling and happiness, recent research indicates that the impact of smiling on mood may be more nuanced. Nonetheless, smiling, especially a genuine and joyful smile, can have a positive impact on both the person smiling and those around them.

Frequently asked questions