33 / Studio Poses
24Photo of this pose coming soon

Casual

24

The Provoked Laugh

What this pose solves

Genuine smile on demand, without asking to 'smile'.

Direction: what to tell the model

  1. 01Ask for a huge, exaggerated fake smile.
  2. 02Ask them to hold it for three seconds, then release.
  3. 03Photograph the decay of the smile—that's when it becomes genuine.
  4. 04Ask an absurd question immediately after.

The 3x1 Matrix

Wide Shot

Full body

Body responding to the laugh: shoulders and hands.

Medium Shot

Waist up

Legible laugh along with body language.

Close-up

Face / hands

Eyes crinkling at the corners: the proof of a real laugh.

Common Mistakes

  • Only photographing the peak of the forced smile.
  • Asking for a 'natural smile' — it doesn't exist.

Variations

  • Laughing with a hand covering part of the mouth.
  • Head tilted slightly back.