i know some of the older people in my family don't smile for pictures. i think the older generation may think it's a bit "goofy" to smile. serious is what a picture called for back in the day. less pictures were taken back then....so they were precious memories....to smile in a pic is somewhat of a wasted pic.....but now we have so many pics we can have a variety of poses, expressions, and looks.
i think it's just an old-fashioned mentality....at least that's what i think.