Suggestions on getting people to smile for pics (photos, children, photograph)

[BitBit76]

Hi, I just started doing photography as a side job and I need some new fresh ideas on getting kids and adults to smile for photos. Thanks

[SD4020]

crack a joke. Asking them to smile is too staged. If you say something funny the smile is pretty real and not cheesy. Well not cheesy all the time.

Or get them to say ****.

[mathjak107]

Say "sex"

[suzannewright]

I used to get my little ones to smile by saying "say butterflies" instead of "say cheese"...it usually worked...otherwise my little niece says "cheeseburger OR mac and cheese"

[PA2UK]

If there's more than one person in the shot, I usually say "Come on, smile like you like each other!"

[TN Tin Man]

Cow-a-bunga Dude.. or dudette works for my grandchildren..... and pull my finger

[2goldens]

I say something like "You guys really don't want to hear my stupid jokes, do you?" and they would smile or chuckle but must be prepared for it - one time deal.

[Hntr]

Suggestion only for older subjects... "If you guys don't smile I'm going to drop my pants!!"

[EinsteinsGhost]

Just ask a question: "So, who hasn't brushed teeth?"

[ShepsMom]

I just had a photoshoot for a family of 9, and one guy flat refused to smile. I kept telling his wife to grab his butt and tickle him LOL. He finally squeezed one smile for me, geez, some people just don't smile no matter what.