watch the birdie

"Watch the birdie" is an expression used to instruct someone to focus their attention towards the camera or a particular point of interest, often accompanied by the word "cheese" or the sound of a whistle. It is commonly used during photography sessions, especially when trying to capture the attention of children or pets, to encourage them to look directly at the camera or towards a specific direction. The term "birdie" refers to a bird or a small object that may get the person's attention.