Why People Say 'Cheese' When Being Photographed

Everyone knows the traditional word photographers tell them to say when they are being photographed. However, very few people know why that one-syllable word should be said when they are in front of a camera.

“Say cheese” is the instruction most photographers give to get their subjects to smile. By saying “cheese,” the corners of the mouth turn up, the cheeks are lifted, and the teeth are shown. When all of those things happen, the result is a great smile.

Explanation of Saying “Cheese”

The “ch” sound in the word “cheese” causes a person to position the teeth just right. The long “ee” sound causes a person to part the lips into a smile.

Saying “cheese” is a way to get people to smile when they are having their picture taken. It is guaranteed to make them look pleasant, no matter what they are thinking. Saying the word results in an automatic smile.

Saying “cheese” spreads a smile across anyone’s face, no matter whether the subject is an adult or a child.

Celebrities smile because they know their pictures will be seen around the world in the media. Therefore, they want to look their best. Saying “cheese” makes sure there is a smile on the face.

Other Words to Say

Saying “cheese” today is the usual word to show those pearly whites, but it is not the only word that has been used throughout the ages.

During the Victorian era, etiquette and beauty standards were very different from those of today. In that period, a small, tightly controlled mouth was considered beautiful. Therefore, photographers did not want their subjects to smile.

When Richard Beard, Britain's first portrait photographer, began taking family portraits, he allegedly encouraged his subjects to say “prunes” to keep them from smiling. That way, they would not show their teeth at all. Also, since most Victorians had a dental hygiene problem, they were instructed to keep their mouths closed.

Saying “cheese” is not the only word to say to elicit a smile. In fact, some photographers say it is better to use words that end in “ch” instead of “cheese” that starts with “ch.” Saying “cheese” actually stretches the mouth into an unnatural, unflattering smile, but saying words that end in “uh,” like “mocha” or “yoga” naturally lifts the corners of the mouth.

If you have a hard time smiling when your picture is taken, try to think of something funny. A laughing smile is almost always a better-looking one than a staged or forced one. That's why photographers use tricks to get babies and small children to smile.

Selfies

Today, people love taking selfies. That is a self-portrait photograph taken with a smartphone or digital camera. What do they say, since they are their own photographer?

Most people who take selfies are more focused on pouting their lips than on smiling. Therefore, they make up their own words to achieve the photo they want. Then they post their selfies on social media.

People Did Not Smile In Old Pictures

There are occasions when people are instructed NOT to smile.

• You are told at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) not to smile when you get your photo taken for your driver's license.
• You shouldn't smile when your mugshot is taken in the police department.
• You shouldn't smile for your passport photo.

It is difficult for face recognition software to identify people who are smiling and showing teeth on those official documents.