Silliness Required

Two weeks ago I attended my high school reunion.  It's always akward at first, everyone looking at eachother, seeing if they can recognize faces without having to walk up and look at a person's name tag and high school picture.  Everyone was reserved at first and understandbly so, but then a photo booth appeared.  An annoucement was made. Be sure to stop by the photo booth!  There are a bunch of great props for you to choose from so just go have some fun!  People slowly began making their way over and before long, the laughter could be heard throughout the room and not long after that, there was a line a people waiting to take their picture, myself included. 

I take pictures of people all of the time.  I always sense nervousness any shyness a lot of times until I give them permission to be as silly or as funny as they want in their photos.  Once they make silly faces or I catch them laughing, it's smooth sailing from there. What are you tricks for getting that silly shot? Have any great shots? Please share.  We'd love to see them.  

Comments

[Marcie]

What fun images..and a great way to get people to loosen up. Can't say I have one - quite - to share..but I do manage to get lots of silly shots of the dogs:
http://marciescudderphotography.com/index.php?showimage=1227

[Jen at Cabin Fever]

To get silly shots you yourself have to be silly! No one likes someone serious behind the camera. :)

http://www.cabinfeververmont.com

http://www.nekphotography.blogspot.com

[Mindy]

love the silliness! we were just at a wedding that had a photobooth & it was a ton of fun!
our little C keeps us giggling quite a bit:
www.frecklesanddimplesphotography.blogspot.com

[Mindy]

oops...corrected the link:
http://www.frecklesanddimplesphotography.blogspot.com

sorry :)

[BlessedMess]

just got back from vacation. Behold, my family:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12418609@N00/4742813299/

[Sherree Davis]

I love these photos, made me laugh and think about times with my girlfriends.

[Jennifer]

Every year my girlfriends and I (and our families) get together for New Years. Every year we attempt to do a kids portrait to document the passing years. These are kids that have known each other since before birth.

The picture before this the kids were standing apart looking nervous and shy....until I had them be silly....
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23134155@N07/4790166396/

...And then when I asked them to pose again and look like they liked each other all of a sudden they leaned in together and the awkwardness was gone.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23134155@N07/4790222244/

[jenny modesitt]

With 2 little boys I get mostly silly shots. This one is of my nephew and our oldest. Such funny kiddos!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8888946@N08/4620828956/

[Kate Sutterfield]

http://happyinthehamptons.blogspot.com/2010/07/today-i-had-photo-shoot-with-one-of.html

:-)

[Connie]

I have people fake laugh and right after that comes the real laugh and THAT is the image I capture. I also have families or kids tickle each other or have the dad tell a joke or just say to my client.... the first couple of shots are always uncomfortable for people. But soon, they change completely when they learn that getting their pictures taken can be fun.

[Gail]

The most recent silliness captured...my daughter and her husband...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22733432@N08/4791892146/

[June]

Instead of the standard "cheese" I tell the kids to say "Daddy's stinky underpants". That's always guaranteed to break out the giggles and that awesome genuine smile.

[Valerie]

Um...I've used so many goofy props for my son's baby book that once he gets old enough to talk, he may scream "No more!"

http://journeyleaf.typepad.com/journeyleaf/2009/02/happy-valentine.html

http://journeyleaf.typepad.com/journeyleaf/2010/03/st-paddys-day-beads.html

With a wee one, I often have to use flash and work very fast. These aren't great photos. But they are great memories.