EPTWhen I arrived, one of the things I noticed was that everyone was going crazy getting things autographed: t-shirts, mousepads, parts of cases, SC2 boxes, etc. First I thought about picking up a mouse pad to get everyone to sign, then I realized that having a bunch of random signatures is actually pretty static and doesn't give me as tangible a memory of the event and all the personalities I met.
On the other hand, getting pictures with these guys, in my mind, is a better way of preserving the memories. The problem with pictures, though, is that these pros take picture after picture with hundreds of people over the course of each event and some are visibly tired of busting out generic smiles. And I understand; I hate when people tell me to smile before taking a picture. If I wasn't already smiling, then the picture isn't really capturing the moment.
My solution, then, was to ask each of the pros I took a picture with to "make any face they wanted, funny or otherwise." My thought is that this would give them an opportunity to break up the monotony of "SMILE!" pictures while also injecting some of their own personality into the picture, which I thought would also make a much better memory than an autograph or a "standard" picture.
Also, I tried not to wait in line to get any of these pictures, because I figured after having a whole bunch of pictures in a row, it might be a bit wearing for them to do something creative. So I basically just grabbed a pro whenever I saw them standing alone or whenever it seemed like they weren't rushing off to something. This seemed like a good time to get them to do a fresh pose, but in their defense it's very possible they just didn't want to be bothered right then (and a few of these guys did kind of give the vibe that they didn't want to be bothered -- sorry!).
So without further ado, here's what I (and the pros) came up with (brief description with each picture for fun):
Incontrol
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![[image loading]](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/--cIMyjrkkRg/T9bJ7UzFR3I/AAAAAAAADNI/RCHwPmwnrvk/s512/IMG_0696.JPG)
Obviously had taken quite a lot of pictures but was quick to put on the mega-frown as his choice of expression, which I promptly copied. http://imgur.com/xFC37
Machine
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![[image loading]](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-4tl7D3XL_CM/T9bJ9awqDFI/AAAAAAAADNc/Zb_uOp_4uWk/s640/IMG_0698.JPG)
Was quick to "give the tongue" which I gave back (but away from his tongue as I didn't want to make the pic too sexy). As a side note, Bryce was easily one of the friendliest pros I met this weekend; he seemed genuinely interested in getting to know me (and some other fans I saw him interacting with). http://imgur.com/xuoux
MKP
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![[image loading]](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-pRH6SNWNnxE/T9bKADIHimI/AAAAAAAADOI/g8mfQ6c1TEY/s720/IMG_0722.JPG)
I'm not entirely sure MarineKing knew what I meant when I told him to make any face he wanted. Maybe he thought I meant "don't smile" which is what he did. But still, I kind of just want to pinch his cheeks. http://imgur.com/fX0fB
Sheth
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![[image loading]](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-o4w8hkDhnHw/T9bJ-TGkX-I/AAAAAAAADN0/28znL3lH7kg/s640/IMG_0719.JPG)
It's no surprise that Sheth didn't hesitate in making up a face -- he was one of the quickest to bust something out with the "I think I'm choking on my own tongue" look. He was also one of the few people who actually wanted to see how their silly picture turned out. I showed him, and he nodded. I think he was pleased. http://imgur.com/vVWTN
Thorzain
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![[image loading]](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-MkIS5uYGxzQ/T9bJ9lZxI0I/AAAAAAAADNg/d5-fO8oMe4Q/s912/IMG_0717.JPG)
Like Sheth, asking Thorzain to make a face of his choice yielded quick results. I'm imagining that this face is the same one he made when he was younger after getting hit with a Nerf arrow. That said, I couldn't match his awesome "teeth face", like, at all. http://imgur.com/sAKIn
Anna Prosser (uncontrollable)
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![[image loading]](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Zix1VHoM2yw/T9bKBIwag8I/AAAAAAAADOc/PTLfhn9tqTM/s720/IMG_0725.JPG)
Anna's technically not a pro player, but I had a feeling she'd have a pretty good face at the ready. She did. On the other hand, I look like I ate too much Mexican food. Sorry, Anna! http://imgur.com/2AG8D
Nony
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![[image loading]](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Yg-RI55Q7d0/T9bJ72mToTI/AAAAAAAADNQ/GkllW3bU36I/s720/IMG_0697.JPG)
This one was one of the more memorable interactions I had. "Make a face -- anything you want. See if you can show up iNcontroL" were the instructions I gave Tyler. After a long, awkward silence where he was visibly trying to think of something to do with his face he just looked and me and said "no, I don't want to do that." I'll give him the benefizzy of the dizzy and say he was probably just worn out and had never experienced such a brilliant picture request, but this one was a clear win for Geoff. http://imgur.com/Ds5RC
Demuslim
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![[image loading]](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/--Y2y45hWQCg/T9bJ9wvbspI/AAAAAAAADNo/t7ur12XMWg4/s640/IMG_0718.JPG)
Ben was quick to make a face of his choosing when asked. I feel like this is how he would look while watching Paranormal Activity, am I right? http://imgur.com/Jwdxe
Axslav and Lzgamer
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![[image loading]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hmu1qEhSrn8/T9bKCcfnjHI/AAAAAAAADO0/bHSeEA_cVdM/s912/IMG_0708.JPG)
I caught them both at the same time and both were super friendly and I had a short conversation with both. I told Jake I thought he should rage more on his stream and talked strategy with Nick. Nick's random face was typical Axslav "calm and cool", and Jake's was pretty understated. Jake said he was doing something out of Top Gun or some other movie -- sorry I can't remember, Jake! http://imgur.com/xgdz6
Bling
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![[image loading]](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-jW4vrQmN9OE/T9bKCJJee0I/AAAAAAAADOs/YhI5sRmTbL8/s640/IMG_0734.JPG)
The picture with Bling was the only one not taken during the actual event, but Bling was still quick to make this rocker face and was still outgoing even though I think I caught him at a less than ideal time. http://imgur.com/ectS9
Stephano
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![[image loading]](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-lMQcQs1H7LE/T9bKB0I_T4I/AAAAAAAADOo/jg4TC3balOs/s800/IMG_0728.JPG)
Stephano was pretty elusive for most of the event as every time he left the player area he was swarmed with fans, but I managed to grab a quick picture with him. Our photographer missed the first shot so this second shot didn't have the same level of expression, but we still get to see Stephano executing a sick new "sidesmile" strategy... http://imgur.com/Ub2GU
Select
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![[image loading]](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-EZE_OfDhr9Q/T9bKAsK3GOI/AAAAAAAADOQ/xdRypsR93o8/s640/IMG_0724.JPG)
A funny face from the typically pretty reserved Select. I believe it was his manager standing next to him who wanted to see the picture. When I showed it to him, he seemed impressed and asked me to send a copy to their team email. I guess that means this is a rare look for Select! http://imgur.com/RJYJs
Grubby
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![[image loading]](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-3A7Xbjzg1qk/T9bJ_VmJ7OI/AAAAAAAADN8/Wob3hZvxfS4/s512/IMG_0720.JPG)
After I took this picture with Grubby, he wanted to see it and assured me that if it didn't turn out good I'd be hearing from his lawyer. It turned out pretty darn good though; his expression reminds me of a ninja turtle from back in the day! http://imgur.com/8wlpB
Huk
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![[image loading]](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-t_M1LoGaWIQ/T9bKBjmpeNI/AAAAAAAADOg/HxwifwFzZuQ/s720/IMG_0726.JPG)
I think Chris was confused because he threw up his standard Huk hand gesture, but them "BOOM!" -- big side-tongue action. I responded with some side-tongue of my own. Or wait, maybe his hand gesture was an "I'm gonna cut off your tongue with my hand-scissors" thing? http://imgur.com/2xaJJ
Gretorp
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![[image loading]](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-XPsZ1BtUGu4/T9bJ_2zE1bI/AAAAAAAADOA/8I4nchLR1gU/s512/IMG_0721.JPG)
Like Nony, Gretorp hesitated when I told him to "make any face he wanted". "It's your picture man, you tell me!" "I want whatever comes to your mind, dude." "Well I've been picking people up..." "Seriously? Ok let's do this..." And then boom, I was in the air. I thought he was going to dump me over on my head, and was getting a lot of strange looks during this one. Andre definitely wins for creativity here, as he made ME feel awkward. Nice job, dude. http://imgur.com/mDQTS
Idra
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![[image loading]](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-QA8jtIXheHc/T9bJ7Lox1hI/AAAAAAAADNE/Tz1t3RAsvIk/s720/IMG_0690.JPG)
Note that unless you are MLG, please send me a PM before using any part of these pictures somewhere else; I may be able to send you a higher-resolution or un-cropped version as well.
*Edit: Added imgur links for international folks or folks having trouble viewing the originals.
*Edit 2: Wow! Thanks everyone for the positive feedback. I was sure I'd have to put on my flame suit for quite a few comments but the response has been overwhelmingly positive! A few thoughts: First, I like the idea of doing this again at other events (I'm pretty sure someone else will now), but it won't ever be the same in my opinion. Many of these pros will get used to being asked to "make a face" and suddenly these pics could become like the new "Smile!". So I'd definitely challenge anyone to innovate in terms of memory-making at future events. Second, for the Idra picture, I gave him the same instructions as everyone else. I don't think he consciously thought the face he made would be funny, it's just who he is.
