Why do we "Say Cheese !" in front of the Camera?

Hi incus, I am part of the documenting team in our organization and one of my tool is the DSLR camera. I have to take a lot of pictures on people, places and events. In our photo sessions nowadays, we don't say "cheese" no more. We simply tell them to "smile" and that's it. I wonder, we have almost forgotten the word until I read it here.

Cause it sounds cool. Not only that, I guess the history started when people back then had head photographers known before as "Chief", then maybe some guys decided to make it sound quicker like "Chief, Please hurry up"... hence Cheese~!

you're definitely right, saying the phrase, "Say Cheese" makes our mouth curve into a smile and the gestures exposes our pearly whites as well. With that combination, you'll gain a picture perfect smile.

Yes, you are right. Some people are not good smilers. But, also it's to get people to relax and focus attention on the fact that their picture is being taken.

We don't say cheese. We say "keso". hehehehehe.

We say Cheese whenever we have our picture taken. I guess it's customary technique , to make us smile.

good question. it would be interesting to find out what the answer is.

I believe that's the only reason I have besides loving cheese. And it's the same for non-cheese lovers too.

Hi,incus! Ha ha ha!"Say cheese" is only in english...so we,romanian,don't say "cheese"in front of camera lol! But yes,I think it's only for smile,coze more people want photos with a big.big smile!But you know what?I have a phoyo with my daughter when she cry...she is so cute!So..."say cheese" isn't always approved ha ha ha! Happy lotting!