Say "Cheese!"

We have all taken pictures or have had our picture taken over the years so we know the drill—“Smile” “Say Cheese”—right? I wonder who came up with the idea that when a camera is pointed in our direction, it is our duty to smile for the camera. Go ahead, look at some photo albums and see for yourself how happy everyone appears to be. See? All your life you were well adjusted and happy. I can prove it-look at the pictures!

Last night I was watching something on TV where a child was obviously not happy but his parent pointed the camera and requested the child to pretend to be happy—and then documented it for life.

There’s a fine line when it comes to the saying “Fake it ‘til you make it.” Don’t fake smile for the camera anymore.

I propose a change. Start documenting the truth. If you’re the one taking the picture and your subject is not happy at the moment, don’t ask them to pretend. They are simply lying to not only the whole world, but themselves. If you want them to smile then it’s your responsibility—your duty— to say/do something funny. For some people, it’s as easy as just saying the word DUTY!

WL&L,
Wendy