Alex Pacheco knows the SpongeBob theme song by heart and keeps track of the latest pop culture fads. "I have to keep current," she said. Pacheco, a photographer with Lifetouch School Portraits, uses this wealth of knowledge to elicit smiles on picture-taking day at local schools. Most retakes are done because a child was unable to muster a natural smile, she says.
"Older kids can recognize if their smile is fake, but it’s harder for the little ones," Pacheco explained.
Seems that no sooner have students settled into their desks for the new school year that it’s time for the annual picture-taking ritual. While some youngsters are blessed with natural photogenic qualities, others have to be coaxed into putting their best face forward.
SMILE
Here are some other tips from Lifetouch for school portrait day:
Clothing and accessories
» Don’t wear outfits that are the same color as the portrait’s background. Choose solid colors or simple patterns that complement the background. Medium to dark shades create a timeless look; soft shades enhance lighter backgrounds.
» Avoid shirts with slogans, as photo cropping can cut words in half.
» Sleeveless tops can be distracting and look too casual.
» Select small accessories that do not detract, such as simple earrings, pins and necklaces.
Grooming
» If you’re planning to get a haircut or trim your bangs, do it at least two weeks in advance.
» Don’t wear a cap to school on picture-taking day or you risk "hat hair."
» For older teens, send hair and makeup supplies to school with your child for quick touch-ups.
» Limit sun exposure a few days before picture-taking to avoid sunburn or peeling.
» Check your hair and shirt collar at camera time.
» Remember good posture.
Source: Lifetouch
|
To help photographers out in these situations, Pacheco recommends that parents note their child’s interests or other smile-inducing triggers in the comments section of the photo package order form. This could include certain words or phrases or a favorite thing that could spark a conversation.
Some children are just anxious about participating in picture taking or stubborn about posing. Pacheco recalls an incident at a Hawaii island school in which "the child screamed and refused to take her photo."
"We found out that she liked monkeys, so my assistant began dancing around like a monkey and made monkey sounds. The tears stopped, she wiped her face and was ready to take her picture," Pacheco said.
"We pull out a lot of tricks. Sometimes it takes an entire community to make a kid smile," added Dennis Ho, territory manager for Lifetouch. "We have an assistant to help with grooming to help them look their best. It’s all about the details."
If parents prepare their children, they are likely to get better results. Practice smiling in the mirror with little ones. Make sure they know they will be photographed and are prepared for the experience. Pacheco says kids are happier in front of the camera lens when they know what to expect and have participated in the decision-making process by choosing the background color or picking an outfit to wear.
But the best advice for young posers, according to the Lifetouch photographers, is "to relax and smile at the camera as if it’s your best friend. Be yourself and have fun!"
