How it works
The word blends "smile" and "eyes". In fashion pictures models often do not smile broadly, but empty eyes kill a frame. Smizing gives the face life without losing seriousness.
The technique is simple: lift the lower lids slightly, as if about to smile, and think of something pleasant. The lips stay relaxed, the forehead smooth.
Smizing matters most in headshots and beauty shots, where all attention is on the face. Practise it in a mirror and on a phone camera.
In practice
At a portrait shoot the photographer notices the model's gaze goes flat when she is not smiling. He asks her to imagine a friend behind the camera who has just told a funny story, but not to laugh. Her eyes soften, the lower lids lift a little, and that is the frame that goes into her portfolio.
What to watch for
- Do not squint: the gaze should stay open.
- Think of something specific and pleasant, not of "smiling".
- Practise at different angles: front-on and three-quarter.
Related terms
Frequently asked
01What does smize mean?
To smile with your eyes: a warm, lively gaze while the lips stay still.
02Who came up with the word smize?
It was popularised by the model and TV host Tyra Banks on America's Next Top Model.