I love my job teaching students at Virginia MOCA! One of the best things is that I constantly have a stream of new people who are eager to learn about the art of photography.
Personally, one of the things I strive for in my own photography is capturing a genuine smile. Not a cheesy, showing all your teeth, bordering on scary smile; but one in which you just can’t hold back a real, honest to goodness smile.

Capturing a genuine smile

I wrote an fun and seriously adorable blog post about getting real smiles out of the people you are photographing (check it out HERE), that really delves into the how’s and gives some tips and tricks.
With that being said, since today is the last day of spring classes at MOCA, I thought it was appropriate to share with you just a few of the sweet faces that I’ve come to know over the last 6 weeks of classes! These pictures were taken during portrait week, where the teen and adult classes went outside and we worked on photographing each other. They were reminded to pay attention to lines, composition, and camera settings; but learned that the most crucial element of the photograph is that your subject is relaxed and at ease. Otherwise you will have a hard time capturing a genuine smile!

cracking up practicing portraiture

boys are hard to make smile

relaxing in nature capturing a genuine smile portrait class portrait week capturing a genuine smile chimping at the camera