How Saying ‘Cheese’ Became a Fun and Quirky Tradition in Photography

Have you ever wondered why we say “cheese” when taking a photograph? It’s a quirky tradition that’s been around for over a century, yet we never stop questioning its origins. I mean, why not say “idly” or “lettuce”? Why is cheese the chosen word for photographic prompts?

Let’s take a journey back to the early days of photography and try to imagine what it was like. The first photograph was captured in 1826 by Joseph Nicéphore Niépce, and it took a whopping eight hours to create! That’s right, eight hours! It’s hard even to fathom how someone could sit still for that long, but that’s exactly what people had to do.

In those early days, photography was a serious business. The equipment was bulky, and the process needed to be faster. To make matters worse, the cameras required a long exposure time, meaning that the subject had to remain still for several minutes. This led to many formal and posed portraits as people tried to stay motionless for the exposure. Nobody smiled at the camera back then because you had to sit so still that smiling wasn’t even an option.

Can you imagine sitting still for eight hours, not moving a single muscle, to get your photograph taken? It’s hard to imagine how anyone had the patience for it! But despite the challenges, people continued to pursue the art of photography, and over time, the technology improved, making it more accessible to the average person.

Fast forward to the 1900s, photography became more accessible to the average person. With the rise of the snapshot, people began to loosen up and have some fun with their photos. As cameras became more portable and easier to use, people started taking more candid and spontaneous shots. This new approach to photography led to using different phrases to get people to smile in photos.

The first known use of “cheese” as a photographic aid was in a 1943 issue of “The Oxford English Dictionary.” The entry for “cheese” included the phrase “used by photographers as an exclamation to make a person look pleasant, natural, and so on.” But why “cheese” specifically?

While “cheese” is the most common phrase used to get people to smile, other terms have been used throughout history. For example, in the 1800s, people would say “prunes”. In the 1920s, photographers would ask people to speak “whiskey,” as it was believed that the “wh” sound helped to create a smile. In the 1930s, people started saying “cheese and crackers,” which was eventually shortened to “cheese.” Well, it turns out that “cheese” is the perfect word for getting people to smile. Saying “cheese” naturally stretches your mouth into a grin, and the “ch” sound is a great way to get your teeth to show.

Interestingly, different cultures and languages use other phrases to get people to smile in photos. For example, In Spanish, they say “patata” (potato),” and in Korean, “kimchi.” In Chinese, “茄子” (qiézi) means “eggplant.” in France, people say “ouistiti,” which means “little monkey,” while in Japan, people say “Nisshin” (which means “sunshine”). In Arabic, people say “yassar” (which means “ease”).

But if you’re daring and want to mix things up a bit, why not try some of these creative prompts to get your friends and family to smile for the camera:

• “Say ‘cheesy pickles’!” (A cheesy twist on the classic prompt)
• “If you can hear me, say ‘I love selfies’!” (A fun way to get everyone’s attention)
• “Think about your favourite food!” (A delicious way to get people smiling)
• “On the count of three, say ‘photogenic’!” (A witty twist on the classic prompt)
• “Say ‘cheeseburger’ if you’re feeling hungry!” (A tasty twist on the classic prompt)

Whether you’re posing for a formal portrait or snapping a quick selfie with friends, the words you say when taking a photo can significantly impact the resulting image. So, the next time you’re in front of the camera, why not experiment with different prompts and see what kind of reactions you can elicit? Regardless of what you choose, always remember that photography is about capturing memories and having fun. You may even create a new photo tradition that will be passed down through generations. So, let’s all say “cheese” and keep the camera rolling!