How do you get natural smiles in group photos?

We can all use some fresh ideas, including me, so please share your techniques, clever sayings or silly one-liners that help elicit natural smiles when photographing groups!
Here's a few examples:

"What is worse than ants in your pants?" "Uncles"

"My wife told me I had to stop acting like a flamingo."
"So I had to put my foot down."

"Everyone, say silk five times."
Then ask: "What do cows drink?"
Most people will say milk, even though cows drink water! Ha!"

As likely to get grimaces of 'pain' at the low humor, as it would be to get real smiles

Wilt wrote in post #18697537
As likely to get grimaces of 'pain' at the low humor, as it would be to get real smiles

Especially the first one. That might hit a little to close to home.

Ok! How about sharing some constructive ideas instead. Those one-liners are lame and I could care less if it gets groups to relax and gives unforced smiles!

This post is about sharing techniques for getting your groups to loosen up. Do you have good ideas?

We'll all benefit if we share, rather than criticize!

I'll tell the group that I'm taking a test photo first to check my lighting. I snap a pic then look at the back of the camera and exclaim "damn I'm good!". This usually gets a good laugh and the group tends to relax. I'll usually follow up with "and humble too!".

For larger groups, as they are starting to assemble and no one is ready yet, I'll usually snap a test shot using flash (so people are aware a photo was taken) and then proclaim "We got it...thanks a lot guys" followed up with a "just kidding, that was just a test shot". That usually gets people loosened up and smiling because some will actually think I was being was serious.

I'm not a fan of canned lines, as it comes off as gimmicky and more likely to close people off. Like using pick up lines on a girl..... People are conditioned to respond to generic camera guy antics with forced smiles, which is what we want to avoid most of the time as a photographer.

I think the key in general is interact with them as naturally as possible. Talk to them like real people...especially between shots. The more you do that, the less you come off as a generic guy with a camera, and the more you feel like a part of the group that can get real reactions/smiles out of them.

It's less of a technique/procedure and more of an art I'd say

What sometimes works is to tell them to do stuff - fast. Wave - with both arms - jump in the air when I say jump - pretend to be sad - angry - disgusted - happy.... in the pause after this commands they relax and laugh/smile. Never tried this in very large groups - but for smaller ones (up to 10 - 15 people) it works quite well.

I'm not a portrait photographer but I have done several sessions before and certainly have been photographed by professionals during events.

What I noticed to be the most effective way is to build a rapport with your subjects by having a conversation with them. This helps them to relax and get their mind off about being in front of the camera. Obviously it doesn't work by just asking them closed questions, but something interesting, for example, you can ask them about what they do, how they met, etc. (opened questions). If you're photographing kids, ask them about their favourite story, their hobby, what they like to do in school, etc.

People like to talk about themselves and in my opinion, that naturally brings out the smile

What yaopey said. Communication is key before the shoot and making them feel at ease just by being yourself. And once you take a few, they start to become more at ease.

We tell them to fake laugh very hard, and rapid fire. Always get great reactions. ߘ

Hi, in Spain it is very common to tell people to say the word "patata" (potato). It's something that comes from many years ago.
Now say other more original words hehehe

I just don't really worry about it in a group photo. I rarely care for big smiles from anyone other than beauty contestants. In groups, anything other than "resting bit** face" is good enough for me. I can get people to that with a bit or ordinary pleasant conversation just to get them into a good mood. Find out what they as a group like or are interested in, talk about that. They'll loosen up enough to look pleasant.

I wear one of those realistic naked body suits. It brings the smiles naturally and often.