Never tell your client to smile

[farhanzl]

It is really interesting fact in case of photography...

When anyone says to smile people give a bad impression....

Without saying it the natural impression can be get.....

 

[IlSan]

Very nice advice on portraits.
Have to agree - saying smile or cheese or anything that is related to the stereotypical photographer will turn most people away...and I can understand them

Remember a few months ago my parents had this idea of having family portraits done. I told them, sure - let's go to the studio and I'll set the whole thing up - but being my parents they thought it might be nice if I didn't have to "work" and asked another photographer to do it.
Now - in general I value the chance to see another colleagues work, and even learn something from him - but when this guy showed up all I could think - WTF (pardon my french).

And then - he said it - everyone smile now... ... ...

I agree with smilano that it always depends on who you are shooting, how many, etc... but smile in my experience just does not work - even with kids, better say something else...