The #1 secret to natural smiles:

Photos are fun!

Unless someone is yelling at you to smile. Or if you don't like having your photo taken. Or if you are self conscious of yourself. Or if... Or if... Or if...

There is one secret that I have for getting real smiles out of anyone. It is so simple, yet many photographers forget about it. It is so easy to overlook because we get tied up in all the other parts about the portrait session. It is easy. BUT - it takes a little time.

You want to know this magical secret right? Of course. Why wouldn't you want the person in front of your camera to smile beautifully, as if they were smiling with you instead of for the camera?

Oh gosh.... I just said it! I let the secret out!

People will smile for real when they are smiling with you. As the man with the camera, I know there are thousands of things that go into making a good image, but there is one thing that trumps all: expression. Without expression, the best exposure & lighting techniques matched with world class composition & color harmony mean nothing. Take away all of those things, add beautiful expression, and now the image has meaning.

So how do I do it? I get to know the person I am photographing. We'll spend time chatting, getting to know each other and sharing stories. Once we are comfortable with one another, then the camera may come out.

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