why do we ask people to say "Cheese" when we take pictures?

Question

I mean.. what's the point?

Answer 1

Long ago, in the camera’s infancy, people never smiled in photographs. Subjects posed without expression, with blank, empty faces reminiscent of early Greek statues. Indeed, for centuries artists painted portraits in this stoic style—was not Leonardo’s depiction of the half-smiling Mona Lisa shocking in its time? This custom continued for many years, as young and old alike projected their austere visages for posterity.
One somber day in 1912, however, the wealthy undergarment tycoon Henry D. Brassier of New York posed for a formal portrait with his family for prominent local photographer Entfield Flimsham, ignorant as to the future significance of this event in the history of photography. Just as the rather portly Flimsham was about to snap the picture, he emitted such an enormous fart that Henry’s wife, Anna-Magdelena Katrina Claire-Marie, giggled, as did the Brassier children. Even the stodgy Henry could hardly hold his solemn poker face throughout the exposure. Thinking the shot was ruined, Flimsham almost failed to develop it, yet did so nevertheless. Once developed, he was astonished at how wonderful it looked—the family (with the notable exception of Mr. Brassier) looked happy! He rushed to his colleagues with the photograph, and all were astounded by the technique.
Soon, photographers across the country attempted to induce a laugh from their subjects. Many methods were tried, but none found as much success as the original approach. Sadly, even eating refried beans by the gallon cannot induce flatulence on demand, so photographers resorted to mentioning the original story. For several years, camera subjects would be told “did you hear the one about the photographer that cut the cheese?” just prior to the snapping of a shot, which almost never failed to get a laugh.
Over the years, photographers began to shorten the reference, saying only “the one about cutting the cheese,” and still later merely “cut the cheese.” Eventually, they arrived at the short “cheese” of today, which conveniently causes the aforementioned smile-like mouth position, a remarkable serendipity of function following form. Ever since, photographers have implored their subjects to say the word “cheese,” in a now-forgotten reference to wind broken nearly a century ago. And so, the fermented dairy product we know as cheese became inexorably linked to the taking of photographs, as it remains to this day.

Answer 2

Saying 'cheese' makes the mouth form into nice shape, and for some reason is a 'funny' thought for portraitees. Personally, Im not so convinced that it works so well. Whenever Im shooting portraits of people, I have them say 'cabernet' or 'merlot'....better mouth formation, better connotations than cheese!

Answer 3

I dont no ive always thought about it too why cant ppl just smile, i guess it just works with little kids?? lol >> but i mean i dont smile when i say cheese !! DO u order pizza and say i want CHEESE pizza with a big grin on ur face NOOOOOOOO??

Answer 4

To show the teeth. In most animal species that is considered an expression of aggression, but humans just about get everything butt-backwards when it comes to harmonic adaptation within the biosphere.

Answer 5

because when people say cheese theyre mouth shapes in a similar way to a smile

Answer 6

looks like u are smiling when u say cheese, well at least some people say it that way

Answer 7

I dont know if this is accurate or not but it could be that when you say it you smile, kind of like when you say money.

Answer 8

Because 4 letter words are rude like WIFE,WORK etc.

Answer 9

When you say chees most people smile while saying it

Answer 10

its a word that will make you look to be smileing,,any word with _ch_in front will make you show teeth,,,if you say it with meaning