You’ve probably heard it your whole life: “Say cheese!” It’s the go-to prompt for snapping a quick photo. But if you’ve ever been in front of my camera, you may have noticed something a little different—I never ask anyone to say cheese.
There’s a reason for that.
The Truth About “Cheese” Smiles
When someone says “cheese,” the muscles around the mouth move into what looks like a smile…but the eyes? They stay neutral. That’s because saying “cheese” usually doesn’t trigger a Duchenne smile—the kind of smile that lights up your entire face, especially your eyes. Those are the smiles we all love to see: genuine, joyful, and completely unforced.
As a photographer, that’s what I’m always aiming to capture—real emotion, real connection, real joy. And “cheese” just doesn’t get us there.
So What Do I Say Instead?
Let’s just say…my prompts are a little sillier.
Instead of stiff directions, I use playful words and phrases that are just weird enough to get kids (and sometimes grown-ups!) giggling. You might hear me say things like:
- “Say turkey!”
- “Say cheeseburger!”
- “Say chicken nugget!…Hey, did you just call me a chicken nugget?!”
- “Don’t you call me a monkey!…If I’m a monkey does that mean you’re a hippopotamus?!”
Kids find it funny. They giggle. Sometimes they repeat it in a silly voice. And just like that—boom!—I’ve got the perfect moment. A real smile. A little twinkle in the eye. That one split second of realness that tells a story better than any perfectly posed grin ever could.
Creating a Space for Genuine Moments
My goal in every session is to make you and your family feel relaxed, comfortable, and like yourselves. Whether we’re in the studio or out chasing golden light in a field, I want you to walk away with images that reflect your personalities, your connections, and the joy you share—not just a record of how you looked in that one outfit.
So the next time you hear a photographer ask you to say “cheese,” I hope you remember there’s another way—one that’s full of laughter, goofiness, and true connection.
And if you’re ready for a session that skips the cheese and brings on the chicken nugget giggles, you know where to find me.
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