Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Do NOT Say Cheese

Most of my life, when posing for a picture of any sort, I look at the camera and smile.  I think as a little kid it must have been ingrained into me, "Look at the camera and smile!"  And apparently, my husband was taught at the same school of modeling. We have millions of pictures together and we always look the same- Smiling, and looking straight at the camera.

And there's nothing wrong with that.

But sort of by accident, while we were on our vacation to the Oregon coast, somehow, my friend snapped a picture of our husbands and they both sort of sneered and didn't look the camera.  And magic happened!  We laughed so hard at the result...
Don't be fooled. This is not an Abercrombie ad!
From that point on during our trip, every time the camera was taken out someone would say, "Don't look at the camera and don't smile".
moody...
      pensive...
cool..
and completely uninterested.
Usually, this approach to picture posing seems to work.  Sometimes though, you might end up looking a little stiff and mannequin-like.

23 comments:

Lis said...

Great fun! I just finished a 365 self portrait project and amazing to witness all my faces (many I would NOT share but realize my family sees all too often.)

I was a stubborn child and refused to smile and say "cheese" ... I'm working on that!

I also am marveling at your songwriting marathon! Way to go!

Anonymous said...

Kerri....I'm still laughing! I can't wait to try your tactic!!! It really did give you some fabulous shots...
And the "stiff and mannequin-like" phrase just cracks me up.

Very cool.....Shishi

Kelly Warren said...

i need to try this technique with my sarah. olivia love the camera and having her picture taken, but sarah always gives me that "okay if you must take my picture, i'm going to give you this fake cheese smile" look. too fun!

Unknown said...

Yup, I have been told the same thing, don't look at the camera and act natural! But it really worked with you guys, cool pics! XO!

Melissa Sarno said...

I feel like I look crazy in every picture I take whether I pose or don't pose. However,pretending not to pose...that's something I have to try :-)

Abby said...

Too funny! I really like this approach.

I always look demented in my photos. That or I blink.

Jadyn said...

So funny! I like the results and at least your vacation pics will look different from everyone else's. Might have to try this tactic myself sometime. In Holland, people like to look more natural anyway and in the past, I've been criticized for always putting on a big smile in photos. Now, I live in Canada though and I've gotten used to smiling big - maybe it's time to shake things up a little again. xo

jacqueline said...

Dearest Kerri, this sounds like so much fun!! The pictures are gorgeous and i just love the natural feeling of it all! I love photos like these. Have a lovely merry happy day and love to you!

malia said...

pensive + cool are my favorites. how did you enjoy the coast?

Robin Norgren, M.A, R-YT, Spiritual Director said...

OH my gosh!!!! These pics are absolutely hilarious! You are starting my morning right!

Valerie said...

I love it! I'll have to remember this the next time someone pulls out a camera. Great pics!

Carissa Paige said...

LOL, i can't stop chuckling at these pictures! Or should I be moody, cool, and completely uninterested? lol

I can't wait to read Traveling Mercies and a few of her other books I saw the library has :)

<3

Jess said...

That's a fun idea! I'm not good at smiling for the camera, so there aren't many of me doing that. Most pictures taken of me are without me knowing! These pictures remind me of a clothing catalogue! ;o) xx

Jo said...

Fab idea and great photos as a result, although 'the stiff manniquin' comment made me chuckle. I've always absolutely hated having my picture taken, but I think this was largely the result of having a childhood haunted by my 'clicker-happy' father, who was always shouting "Smile for the camera!!" So thank you for the 'tip' - I'll simply ignore my dear Dad's example and simply sneak up on everyone instead!!!
Hugs xxx

Kerri said...

in answer to your question, malia...i LOVED the coast! i had never been to oregon before. my friends mom lives in a beautiful home right on the coast. the view out of my window allowed me to wake up to ocean waves every morning. and i loved getting to run on a beach in ear muffs. i had never been to a non-tropical beach before.

ok, everyone, remember: :| not :)

molly said...

that pic is hilarious! i always try to recreate impromptu pics, but i always fail.

gem said...

I. Love. This. That's what I'm going to say from now on, thanks for the brilliance!

thursday said...

I really like this idea! I am terrible as soon as I see a camera. I'm always freezing up and end up looking creepy and uncomfortable. I'll have to try this forced non-attention thing:)

Elizabeth Halt said...

This cracked me up. I'll try it. I usually look and smile, and since it's a fake smile, I never like it. That being said, the corners of my mouth turn down so if I am not smiling, I can look crabby. Hmmmm. Which will make a better photo. ;)

Anonymous said...

I love your photos. and who says we have to smile. It feels so weird to hold the smile , especially when you here, "wait, wait, I have to take it again." Grrr. Actually some of my favourite pics of my kids are when they are not smiling.....

Unknown said...

Once again, your observations on life and the little things ring true...kinda like when Ben Stiller in Zoolander explains his deep passion for modeling...

Anonymous said...

This is great.

Barbara German said...

We are SOOOO doing this next time!!