How do you get people to pose?

[Finch Platte]

Over the holly-daze, I had many opportunities to take pics of the family. Very few of the pics turned out well (as seen in this example). I tried 2 different tacts- first by gathering the vict- err, subjects and snapping when I thought the time was right (usually surprising everyone and not flattering anyone), and the other counting aloud "1, 2, 3" then snapping it. This led to pics that were too posed for my tastes.

Hints and tips, please?

Thanks,

fp

Yeah, I know, this pic is pretty crappy all the way around, but I was more concerned with getting the room in the shot than I was people.