How to get Natural Smiles from Children

Everyone has that moment where you are all set for you photos, hair is done, clothes are pressed and clean, you have the perfect location and then you get ready to take the photo and you get that wonderful cheesy smile.  The one everyone has gotten at some point ( even myself as a professional photography get that smile from my son).

You think to yourself how can I get a real smile.  Here are a few tips.
1.  Act Silly - Do anything to make them laugh for real, sing a silly song, make faces, jump around. 
     The sillier you feel the better response you will probably get.
2.  Don't Say Cheese - Say anything else, pickles, pizza, puppies, etc
3.  Don't Smile ( or do any face BUT smile) - tell the kids not to smile and usually they start to laugh
     or have them make their favorite silly face, then you make yours and it should cause the giggles.
4.  Make the session fun! - take breaks, make it a game, run around all the things to keep the kids
     busy but ready to take a photo here and there.
5.  Seeing is believing - if all else fails show them a photo of the silly smile and a good smile so they
     can see the difference in the two.

Here area  few of my favs: