prior to the word “cheese,” what word was traditionally used to prompt a smile in photographs?

Prior to the word “cheese,” the traditional word used in early photography sessions was “prunes.”

Quick Scoop: The Pre-“Cheese” Smile

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, people were often told to say “prunes” when posing for a photograph. This did not create a big grin; instead, it gently tightened the lips, producing a small, reserved mouth shape that matched the more serious, demure look considered fashionable at the time.

As cameras improved and exposure times shortened, culture shifted toward brighter, open smiles, and “cheese” eventually took over as the go‑to prompt because the long “ee” sound naturally pulls the mouth into a wide smile.

Answer: Before “cheese,” photographers traditionally told subjects to say “prunes.”

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