People Who Don't Smile In Pictures....Why? (camera, photos, JPG) - Digital cameras, SLR, lenses, printing, processing, colors, black-and-white, wedding... - City-Data Forum

LoveBoating · 04-08-2008, 03:24 PM

A lot of the photos I have taken with my wife's one sister and her other sister's husband in them.....they don't smile! They can always be "picked out" in a photo. When do they smile? When I tell them to smile after looking at them thru the viewfinder. And, then, there are times that I have to tell them twice "SMILE". If I forget to say "smile" to them, I have a family photo with two people who look like they just lost their best friend!!
Do you know anyone like this and does anyone pick them out in a photo? Nothing like having a group of smiling faces, until you see the "non-smilers" and wonder why.
For me, it is annoying at times and I don't even want them to be a part of the photo.

frogandtoad · 04-08-2008, 03:29 PM

Maybe they don't like the way they look when they smile. I know someone who thinks her teeth look bad and she never smiles in pictures.

Maybe they aren't having a good time and don't feel like faking it.

I wouldn't take it personally or feel like they need to conform to what you do in pictures-to each his own!

Tarastomsgirl · 04-08-2008, 03:36 PM

my cousin does this, he just stands there in the picture, no expression on his face. Its like ugh okay everyone likes Disney just smile.. Nope.. I dunno why they do this but its annoying!

sanspeur · 04-08-2008, 04:31 PM

Years ago nobody smiled...My Grandmother in the center...Oops, guess I'm dating myself huh?

_redbird_ · 04-08-2008, 05:24 PM

Not exactly. If you would've said your mother in the photo,... then...you'd be dating yourself.

LauraC · 04-09-2008, 07:19 AM

I hate having my photo taken so I sympathize with those cornered humans who are commanded to "smile for the camera." I bet they'd be smiling more in your photos if you didn't ask them to pose - just capture them when they are being naturally happy.

arguy1973 · 04-09-2008, 07:31 AM

cause i think when i smile i look like an idiot. i know laugh all ya want but its the truth.

LoveBoating · 04-09-2008, 10:40 AM

Not taking it personally, but seeing "smiling faces" in a family type photo is always MUCH, MUCH better than seeing frowns/no smiles.
Problem is, neither of these people really act if they are ever happy! And, anyone can smile without showing their teeth. How do I know? Our local DMV wouldn't let me smile (showing teeth) for my DL.
Heck, I've taken those "non-posing" photos and had folks get a little upset with me cause they had their glasses on (and don't like a photo of themselves with glasses on), hair was messed up (and they told me about that). I've even had people tell me that they didn't like what they were wearing at the time. "Why did you take that picture" is what I get at times.

Rance · 04-09-2008, 06:43 PM

I'm a non smiler in photo's. It's just they way I am.

LoveBoating · 04-10-2008, 08:24 AM

My question is......why???????? Do you smile at other times? I just don't understand the logic in not "smiling for the camera"!!! Someone points a camera at you (you knowing that your photo is being taken) and you don't smile? Do you smile, when asked to for a photo?
Is this one of those topics that I have to contact Dr. Phil about
(only kidding) because it can "drive me nuts" or have me thinking "what the heck is wrong with this person".
Yes, I know that in old pictures from centuries ago, people didn't smile a lot of times. But, that was then......this is 2008!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rance

I'm a non smiler in photo's. It's just they way I am.