Royal Wedding Photographer Spills Secret to Getting 10 Kids to Smile for Photos

As if we could stop talking about the Royal Wedding, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s nuptials just seem to keep going. At least when it comes to all the fab details. But now that we’ve kind of cooled down on oohing and aaahing over her crazy-chic gown, we’re all left wondering about the photos. You’re a parent. And you, like many of us, may have no clue how to get kids to smile for photos. So how the heck did photographer extraordinaire Alexi Lubomirski get a cavalcade of kiddos to grin gleefully for the camera?

With six pint-sized bridesmaids and four young page boys, obviously getting everyone to sit and smile wasn’t easy. But Lubomirski had a secret weapon. And reportedly, it was the one thing that just about every child smiles for—candy.

PSA: I’m seeing some US followers trash Smarties and it needs to stop.
Firstly: how dare you. And second: The Smarties candy over there is actually called Fizzers here. British Smarties are chocolate sweets in sugar shells (think M&Ms). Best in ice cream or cookies👍🏻 pic.twitter.com/Z4bxJsIa8h

— Omid Scobie (@scobie) May 23, 2018

Yeah, we’ve all been there. Whether you want the kiddos to smile for a family photo or just want them to leave the park without a major meltdown, you bribe them. Oh, and those kiddos of yours don’t take money as a form of payment. Nope. They require candy. And that’s exactly what happened during the royal photo shoot.

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A post shared by Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@dukeandduchessofcambridge)

Lubomirski told Australia’s ABC News (of photographing the children), “They were being bribed with one Smartie here, one Smartie there, so as soon as the kids came onto the set, I immediately just shouted out ‘Who likes Smarties?’ and then everybody, hands up, smiles, even some adults put their hands up.”

If the word “Smartie” brings to mind those sweetly sour chalky button-like sugar candies you downed by the roll-full as a kid, think again. In the U.K. Smarties are candy-coated chocolate treats that are similar to our M&M’s.

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: Kensington Royal via Instagram 

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