How to Deal With Smile Fatigue

Whether it comes to attending a special event, receiving an award, or getting family photos taken, we always here that one word: smile. Of course smiling is important when one is being photographed, but after using the muscles in their face for a long time, it can be exhausting. Welcome: Smile Fatigue. 

During events such as weddings, graduations, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, family reunions, etc. clients are often smiling throughout the day, for hundreds of photos. It is common for the jaw, lips, and eyes to become fatigued, droopy, and less responsive to the brain’s cues over a large amount of time. The worst scenario is getting great photographs that are properly composed and lit, but the client looks exhausted, bored, or sleepy! So what can you do to overcome the battle of smile fatigue? Here are a few tips to help you out:

  1. Self Massage – The best way to avoid this is to apply some self-massage in the jaw area, and over one’s closed eyes when the camera “isn’t looking.” This helps your muscles relax and regenerate, allowing you to smile over a longer amount of time.
  2. Mix It Up – Don’t be afraid to change things up. Sometimes alternating between full, toothy smiles, and smaller, subtler smiles can help prevent full-day smile fatigue.
  3. Take Breaks – In order to make each photo perfect, clients tend to smile even when a photograph isn’t being taken. Relaxing one’s face after each photo will reduce the amount of fatigue they experience.
  4. Natural is Better – The best smiles captured are ones that occur naturally. If the client is doing or talking about something they enjoy, their facial expressions will turn out much better in the photos. Not to mention, one great photo is better than 20 photos with forced expressions. 

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