that a smile just makes everything so much more inviting even before meeting.  I think the reason more ladies do not smile in pictures is that a big ol grin changes the face shape from a nice appealing oval to a round shape pushing the sides of the face out.  So many do this thing where their mouth is hanging open(maybe they think that looks inviting? but to me it kinda makes me think of caughting flies in there) like someone caught them mid word or what not.  Not sure why this is so common, I smile in mine because I think it feels more friendly even though I crop my face out(usually leave the smile).

I have photos where I am smiling, the best ones are the ones with a genuine smile though- which can be hard to capture during a photo shoot. But, I can say that a majority of the photos that I use I am not smiling. But, some of my favorite photos are the ones where I am.

You have an artificial set up-lights, camera, (if you care about how you present yourself) days of prior thought on wardrobe and scene, and then at least two people you usually have little connection/rapport with (makeup artist and photographer) scrutinizing your every movement. All the while in the back of your mind you are trying to pay attention to every aspect of your movement and the scene taking place in frame. This is a big hurdle for even the most self confident and happiest of ladies, and I've found only a few photographers who really try to bridge that gap on the other end. It is really quite hard to create a Duchenne smile (a "true" smile) in those conditions, and believe you me that the camera doesn't lie-I have hundreds of discarded photo proofs over the years where the smile is clearly not from the heart, and creates a totally unusable photo.

To the gentlemen-do you tend to smile when things are relaxed and easy and natural, or when you are highly focused on the task at hand? I'm betting the former. Frontpage, you are absolutely right on about a smile, and it's something I've tried to incorporate more and more, including my recent shoot at the start of this month. At the same time, I would ask you to consider all the factors above. I find that reading between the lines of a lady's ad, website, and emails will give you a very clear idea as to whether you're going to get a very real smile, just for you, when you meet.

(And for the gentleman who complains about the lights and glitz, saying then that we'd all be better off with just candid shots and selfies, please think of all the times you have, read, heard or experienced for yourself the phenomenon of "her pictures don't do her justice!!!" While a few ladies certainly do abuse Photoshop privileges, by and large a carefully and expertly crafted shoot is designed to compensate for the complete loss of impression-both beauty and personality, and energy-that occurs when moving from a vibrant, living 3D to a static 2D experience. A REALLY good photo will go beyond curves and lace to even tell you a bit about the lady-her personality and the type of companionship she offers and enjoys. Candids and selfies fail in all of these areas.)

Well........

Some of us ladies are standing, bending over, posing, trying to look right all the while we are naked or half naked  in front of a stranger...(giggles). When I do selfies I try to smile...since its just me and im feeling relaxed and playful.

Just my 01. Cents

I have an appointment tomorrow   Three things in her photo promoted me to pull the trigger.  
Hot body. Beautiful hair. And the smile clinched in. (And was blurred !)

I'm not sure why, but I've had it happen many times where I am told close my lips/not smile (and I have great teeth from years of orthodontic work).  I smile a lot naturally, and while I can appreciate various expressions in photographs, I agree that I see so many ads/sites where you can't find a smile to save your life! :-/  A warm smile is so inviting, which you would think is a no-brainer from a marketing standpoint in our industry.