(Don't) Say Cheese!

Smiling for photos - awkward, isn't it?

On the awkward stakes it's up there with that moment when you cross paths with someone on the pavement and do a little dance with them because you both keep going the same way.

Take a look at this example of an awkward smile I found on Google images:

What. A. Cunt.

It's not her fault though. Unless you're blessed with the perfect lips, cheeks and teeth; the same thing happens every time someone shoves a camera in your face - it's just fucking awkward.

First of all there's the inital panic of how you should position your mouth. Should you open or close it? Should you show the world your teeth or keep them hidden? Should you do a cheesy smile or just go for low-key happiness?

Second of all, once you've chosen your pose, you have to try and hold it while whoever's taking the photo positions the camera and looks for the right button to press. That's the worst part. Sometimes you are just standing there smiling unaturally and unnecessarily for a straight 30 seconds looking and feeling like a twat.

Video evidence


HOWEVER, a couple of years ago I came up with a way to avoid this uncomfortable experience. And I am now going to share it with you...

All you have to do is LAUGH.

Pretend to laugh.

Every time someone goes to take a photo of you, don't fake a smile; fake a laugh. Imagine the photographer has just told you the world's most hilarious joke. Laugh at the hypothetical joke. The people around you may question your sanity; but they'll take back that cynicism once they've seen how natural you look and how awkward they look.

Allow me to present to you the first ever fake-laugh photo:

The contrast between Suzanne's face and mine proves the success of my method.

I'll admit, in some cases it can go wrong. See here:

1. You can see right down the back of my throat.
2. Hannah just looks like a tit.

But, on the whole, it does work. And most importantly, it always makes for a much more natural, much less awkward photograph.

So the next time someone pulls a camera out their pocket and forces the lens in your face, just laugh.

Thanks to me you will never have to fear a photo again.