It's All About The Smile

One of my pet peeves is parents who see me making a photograph of their child doing something visually outstanding like jumping in a mud puddle or balancing themselves on a steeply inclined rock telling the child to smile for the camera or smile for the photographer.

When this happens, I emphatically tell them “No. Let them just be kids.” If it continues, the fake smiling and inattention to what they were doing or changing their actions into poses, I stop making photos and walk away, the moment forever gone.

I heard that voice from behind me as I began to photograph six-year-old Benjamin, the youngest server at St. Paul’s fish fry. The story alone was good enough. Benjamin stood barely three feet tall and bore a tray filled with food and stood for his portrait dutifully. I made one frame.

“Smile, Ben.”

In my head, I’m going “No, no, no.”

Then, the teeth. Or lack of teeth. I was finally grateful to hear someone tell a kid to smile. It was the exception to the rule and should always be the rule when kids have an open-toothed smile like Benjamin.

F8 - My Final Photo News is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my photography and commentary, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

You should also consider subscribing to The Westerville News and PhotoCamp Daily.