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Writer's pictureJackie McGriff

4 Ways to Avoid Weird Faces in Event Photos


Youth Summit Hosted by New York Kitchen, The Lake House in Canandaigua

We're smack dab in the middle of summer (my favorite time of the year, by the way) and you've most likely been at events - concerts, parties, weddings, reunions, festivals -- you name it. And, of course, if there are no pictures, it didn't happen, right? So, you're taking photos and let's say you're at a concert. You want to capture the moment they're belting out a song to be able to post immediately so that your friends and family can see that you were THERE...except...the photos are coming out super weird. Every time, you tap the camera button, they are making odd faces. Every. single. time. If that's happening to you, I'm HERE FOR YOU because I feel this on every level and you deserve awesome photos, especially with the moments that you don't ever want to forget. (I see you, Beyhive. I see you.) Here's how to avoid that in a few ways regardless of what type of event it is:


If the speaker is talking and the event is a tour/conference/wedding: wait for the speaker to look up and out at the crowd if they are looking down at a piece of paper or their phone to give the speech. (It's less interesting to see someone looking down at something - unless it's clearly an emotional moment.)


Better yet, if they crack a joke while speaking, catch them when they're laughing. These are ALWAYS a win! ALWAYS.


Simeon Banister, President and CEO of the Rochester Area Community Foundation, addressing the audience with a smile
Simeon Banister, President and CEO of the Rochester Area Community Foundation, addressing the audience with a smile

If it's a performer at a concert/play/musical and they're talking/singing, you can do a few things: 1) try to catch the moment where their mouth is closed (while speaking), 2) if/when they're singing, get a moment when their mouth is closed or close to it, or 3) try to catch the moment where they are belting out and have their eyes closed.



Danielle Ponder singing on stage at the Rochester International Jazz Festival in 2022 belting out a song with her eyes closed and in a black dress
Danielle Ponder and the Tomorrow People - killing it as always!

If it's a performer playing an instrument, this is a lot easier to capture: grab the moment where they're looking down at their instrument or playing with their eyes closed. Again, it's a wonderful thing to see a performer enjoying what they get to do on stage.



a man playing percussion outside
You cannot tell me that this man isn't having a good time! (The Big Takeover playing at Eastman Museum's Garden Vibes in July 2023)


Doing all of these things not only helps you avoid getting weird faces in a photo, but you're also taking less clicks and you can avoid having to sift through a ton of photos later that night.


What's a tip that you can either give or that you'd like for capturing great moments at events? Let me know in the comments below!

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