The "fake" smile versus the "real" smile

David turned 8 today!! This morning we went to Toys R Us and he picked out a new bike. He and Daddy are assembling it now (in our very dark family room - booooo on the pics!). Then we went out to dinner at his favorite restaurant - it's a local place that is a sports bar with arcade too. Fab food.

So when we got home, I managed to convince him to let me take his birthday pics. Most were like this:

But then, the 17th shot was this. Yeah, it's a bit soft on focus. He was laughing and moving all around cuz his Dad was making him laugh. But soft or not, I love it. THIS is the smile I love!!!

So the next time you take your own kids out for pics, whether you do them yourself or have a professional do them for you, remember to engage your child in conversation that will produce the natural smile.  Telling the child to "look at the camera" or "say cheese" will just get you the fake smile.

Comments

[Web Designer Greensboro]

Wow....these are awesome and that is so true. I heard a good tip is to do burst shooting, too, because sometimes people relax after the shutter goes off. :)

[Cecania Tallmadge]

Birthdays are the happiest days children could ever have, 'cause they surely have been treated excellently by their parents! Haha! Your story is quite funny, though, 'cause I remember my nieces long time ago when we were having picnics in the park. I have asked them actually to smile on the camera, but they weren't really smiling! What you've said in the end is undeniable! Joyful conversations would really make them smile naturally! Btw, your son's smile made me smile, too! Thanks for sharing!