My sister Carissa is a photographer whose job it is make even the most photo-averse children comfortable, while snapping images of their best selves. She told me some of her tricks for getting little kids to smile less awkwardly. None of them involve saying “cheeeeeese.”
Have them chase you. “When you stop, they’ll be in a happy mood and you can take their picture,” Carissa says.
Ask them to tell you a joke without smiling or laughing. This is usually an impossible challenge for a kid, and they’ll burst out laughing.
If you’re photographing two kids, tell them to have a staring contest with each other. Same concept as above—they can’t not smile.
With small children, have someone toss them in the air, hang them upside-down or fly them like Superman. “These are great action shots,” Carissa says.
Make fart sounds. I know. It’s basically cheating. Alternately, you can whisper something silly in their ear like “boo boo butt.”
Have them talk about something happy. Their new puppy, their trip to Disney, the funny thing their brother did, their favorite flavor of ice cream.
Have them fake laugh with you. Fake laughs usually become real laughs.
Have some kid-jokes on hand. A few classics: “What musical instrument is found in the bathroom?” “A tuba toothpaste.” “Why should you not let a bear operate the remote?” “He will keep pressing the paws button.” “Why was Tigger dirty?” “Because he was playing with Pooh.”
Say something totally random on the count of three, right before snapping the photo. Maybe “Donkey with a blue shoe!” or “Bazoinks!” They’ll be disoriented for a second and then smile.
If the tricks work with your kids, great, but if they’re just not into picture-taking, don’t push it. The last thing you want is your kid to develop anxiety around the camera, a la Chandler Bing. Let it go, and remember that even bad photos can be great ones for their wedding slideshow.