When I was just starting out, I remember I truly had NO idea what to say while I was taking people’s pictures! But as I went along and became more experienced, I learned that the more you talk, the more comfortable your clients will be. And these are just a few of the phrases that I love to use at every senior session to help create the best images!

1. Pop your eyes up at me 

By using this phrase, they’re likely to make their eyes a little wider and more bright!

2. Compliment them

– Nothing gets a smile better than a good old compliment! Tell her you love her makeup. Maybe you saw his solo at show choir and thought it was awesome. Tell her that you think it’s amazing that she’s the homecoming queen. Even if this is your first time meeting, you can always affirm their outfit selection and really talk it up! Naturally, people get nervous to have their pictures taken. Affirm their selections! Always.

3. “Smolder”

This phrase usually lets them know to turn up the heat with their current expression.

4. Walk in slow motion 

When I do walking pictures, I have them slow waaaaay down. This helps create genuine laughter because they feel funny doing it, but also helps me as the photographer. If they would walk normal speed, I wouldn’t get as many pictures!

5. Laugh

Now I don’t just ask people to LOL at me out of no where. Usually if I ask them to laugh, we’re already smiling and laughing about something, so it doesn’t make it as awkward!

6. Drop your eyes down your shoulder 

This helps show off makeup and eyelashes. After getting their makeup professionally done, a girl’s going to want to feature that!

7. “Smize” 

This is a term that I think Tyra Banks made up that means to smile with your eyes! Make them laugh, and their eyes really mean it. It’s not a fake smile.

8. Hold on to your dress and twirl back and forth like you’re a little girl

This helps create genuine laughter, and movement, which are two things I absolutely love in pictures! There’s absolutely nothing boring or stiff about this, and I think it makes each pictures super unique.

9. Laugh over your shoulder like your best friend is over there

I love to vary poses without moving the senior too much, so this is a cute way to get another candid look without moving them!

10. Dad jokes

When all else fails, seriously, look up some dad jokes while they’re changing into their next outfit. I’m serious! These corny little jokes actually help get giggles, and those laughs will be the most genuine smiles for their pictures! And just to further prove my point, I’m going to leave you with a few of my favorites. I bet you’ll be smiling by the time you read through them all!

 

What do you call a fake noodle? An Impasta

What do you call a dog magician? A labracadabrador

Where do you learn how to make ice cream? Sundae School

Why don’t lobsters like to share? Because they’re shellfish.

What did the buffalo say to his son when he went off to college? Bison