Maybe After Tuesday It'll Be Smiles Again?

Randall & Lisa, Atlanta, GA © Russell Kaye

I don't think Rob Haggart was kidding when he joked about the lack of photographer's submitting pictures of people smiling for the Critical Mass contest. Serious portraits have always been easier than smiling ones but it seems to be more the vogue than ever these last few years. I know I'm guilty of it - see above. Maybe it got worse eight years ago? I can't really remember. I do know I assisted Arnold Newman way back at the end of the eighties and he always warned his subjects: "lips together - smile and I'll kill ya."

I wonder if photographers mirror the timbre of the times? Will the change in leadership next Tuesday launch a round of smilin' portraits? Let's hope so.