Say, "Cheese!"

My homework for my photography class was to take a few portraits in natural light and with flash. I asked my gorgeous coworker if I could take some pictures of her since pictures of pretty girls always seem nicer.

It was my first time taking pictures of a non-family member or close friend. I got a few decent ones as we were both cracking up so I got some nice natural smiles. I never knew how hard and akward this picture-taking business is.

Now in order to get other expressions, I was just wondering what you tell your models. Do you tell them, "Okay, now look serious."? "Now mad!" I remember seeing one photographer on tv years ago tell the model, "Pretend you see someone far away and you're trying to recogize that person to see if it's your friend." Or do you just let your models make whatever expressions they want?

Just say something stupid and you'll get a 'cheese'.
I know, it works for me, and a do that a lot..

I think it depends on your style and the mood of the model. You should try to help the model by naming moods she(or he) should present. Even if they can't get the perfect expression, the in between shots are sometimes the best.

Oh Yeah,
The best smilie face comes when you tell them to say..."Money".
Try it.
David

DAMphyne wrote in post #3903139
The best smilie face comes when you tell them to say..."Money".

A friend of mine use to use "say s#x" to get a Mona Lisa smile out of appropriately aged individuals. Should be OK for Mary as they're both the same gender, less likely to get harassment issues

KirkHMB wrote in post #3908931
"say s#x"

It took me a minute to figure this out. Six? Sax? You'll have to excuse me. I'm slow sometimes.

I've been wanting to take portraits of my mom. I wonder if I'll get a nice lovely smile out of her once I say, "Okay, Mom, say 'sex'!"

spyraling wrote in post #3909032
It took me a minute to figure this out. Six? Sax? You'll have to excuse me. I'm slow sometimes.

I've been wanting to take portraits of my mom. I wonder if I'll get a nice lovely smile out of her once I say, "Okay, Mom, say 'sex'!"

It may not be a nice lovely smile, but I'll bet it is an interersting expression...and you might be surprised. Mom's are people, too.

KirkHMB wrote in post #3908931
A friend of mine use to use "say s#x" to get a Mona Lisa smile out of appropriately aged individuals. Should be OK for Mary as they're both the same gender, less likely to get harassment issues

That will get an truly embarrassed smile (but you could use that). Oh and i think your allowed to right sex (i think)