How to Get Genuine Smiles from Kids During Photos

“Smile for the camera!” — three words that almost guarantee the opposite result. If you’ve ever ended up with a gallery full of stiff, grimacing grins from your kids, you’re not alone. Forced smiles are the number one frustration I hear from parents.

Here’s the good news: genuine smiles aren’t about luck. They’re about creating the right conditions. After years of photographing kids of all ages, here are my tried-and-true techniques.

Stop Asking Them to Smile

This is the hardest one for parents, but it’s the most important. The moment you say “smile!”, kids tense up and produce that tight, unnatural grin. Instead, focus on making them feel happy — the smile will follow on its own.

During our sessions, you’ll notice I almost never ask kids to smile. I ask them to laugh, to be silly, to tell me secrets. The expressions that result are real.

Get Them Laughing

Laughter is the fastest path to a genuine smile. Some of my go-to tricks:

  • Silly questions — “What’s the stinkiest thing you can think of?” “If you were a dinosaur, what kind would you be?”
  • Opposite instructions — “Okay, whatever you do, do NOT smile.” (They always do.)
  • Tickle attacks — from mom or dad, not me. Those giggles are pure gold.
  • Funny faces — I’ll make a ridiculous face and ask them to copy it. The laughter that follows is completely genuine.

Let Them Move

Kids aren’t meant to sit still, and fighting that is a losing battle. I build movement into every session — running toward me, spinning in circles, jumping off a log, racing dad to a tree.

Action shots capture kids at their most joyful and natural. Some of my all-time favourite images are mid-giggle, hair flying, completely unposed.

Use the People They Love Most

A stranger (even a friendly photographer) can only do so much. But mom’s silly dance? Dad’s terrible jokes? A sibling’s whispered secret? That’s where the real magic lives.

I’ll often direct the parents rather than the kids: “Whisper something silly in her ear.” “Tell him what you’re making for dinner in your funniest voice.” When kids react to the people they love, the emotions are 100% authentic.

Don’t Bribe — Redirect

“Smile or no ice cream!” might work in the moment, but the resulting smile will look exactly like what it is — coerced. Instead of bribes, try redirection:

  • If they’re getting restless, change the activity, not the incentive
  • If they’re shy, give them a job (“Can you hold my reflector? Can you show me where the best climbing tree is?”)
  • If they’re melting down, take a break. Seriously. Five minutes of downtime can save a session.

Timing Is Everything

I can’t stress this enough: schedule around your child’s natural rhythms. A well-rested kid after a nap and a snack is a completely different child than an overtired, hungry one.

For Older Kids and Teens

Tweens and teens need a different approach. They’ve outgrown the silly games but still light up when they feel respected and included:

  • Give them some control — let them suggest a pose or pick a location within our spot
  • Don’t force closeness — a teen leaning casually against a tree can be just as powerful as a posed hug
  • Talk to them like people — ask about their interests, their music, their friends. Genuine conversation produces genuine expressions.
  • Get a few “cool” shots — when teens feel like they look good, they relax. I’ll show them the back of the camera so they can see how great they look.

The Secret Ingredient: Patience

Here’s what I want every parent to know: I am never in a rush during a family session. If your toddler needs ten minutes to warm up, we take ten minutes. If your baby needs a feeding break, we take a feeding break.

The best images come when everyone feels safe and unpressured. That’s the environment I work hard to create in every single session.

Want natural, joyful photos of your family? Book a session — I promise, no forced smiles.