Say "CHEESE"

I have been thinking a lot about why we ever use the word CHEESE when it comes to getting our children to smile. I know I have had this conversation with other photographers, but I don't think anything could be funnier then a picture of a two year saying the word "Cheese." Even now I know you are saying it to yourself, or thinking of your child saying it, and your eyes are squinting and your mouth is abnormally wide, so why did this become the phrase to make our children smile? I am guilty of saying that I have even said it my own children, but now I wish I could put out a ban on first time parents teaching their kids "say cheese" to smile. Now that I have a rambled I will make my point. As a photographer, and as my many years of being a photographer's assistant I learned the best way to get a child to smile is to completely embarrass myself. That usually seems to work the best. With little H in our garden session I had a grape tomato on my head balancing, and as soon as I could not accomplish the task H thought that was hilarious! H has one of the most angelic faces, and I am completely jealous of her natural curly hair. Thank you so much H's mom for trusting me to take these pictures. Your little girl gets cuter every time I see her. and I love having the opportunity of taking her picture!