Why do people always smile when having their photo taken?

Question

Why do people always smile when having their photo taken?
In the early days people didnt smile because the lens of the camera was open for a long time. So how did it come about that with new technology people are encouraged to smile and say cheese when having a photo taken?

Answer

The older pictures where folks are not smiling had to do with beliefs and religion. Do you know that a lot of Christians once thought that picture taking was a sin. Then when people started having their pictures taken they were to be serious about it as it was not for pleasure sake. Look at some Mennonites, as they still dont believe in having their picture taken. brbrWe smile now because those old laws of land have long since been put to rest. We have conditioned our children to smile into the camera so that their life appears happy. Remember, that commercials and advertisements are and have been a big influence as to why we do this today. The Kodak commercials of yesteryear portrayed wealth and a good life with a smile. Try watching old commercials on youtube.com or something of equal value.