Why in the WORLD are we photoshopping kids portraits???

I received a order form from LIFETIME PORTRAITS yesterday. My daughter will be taking her school pictures next week. You can check an extra box that says " Retouching $8.50. Our professional retouching remover will remove facial blemishes and apply a very mild soft focus to help smooth out minor imperfections. Glass glare NOT included." I thought, am I seeing things?

Really people? These kids are in elementary school. Wait...it is being done in all the schools. What a way to remember your childhood. FLAWLESS!!!!

Do you know why kids have body image issues at such a YOUNG age? You are making them look like someone they are not. Why wouldn't you want to remember that small piece of hair sticking up or maybe even your chapped lips. I have a good story for you. Emilee's first pre k pics. I sent the entire outfit to Nana and Papa's. Shoes too. Emilee went to school with her outfit, but Nana and Papa thought her crocs that were Tye died the shoes she was suppose to wear with her pretty brown dress (she picked out). I remember thinking, "Mom and Dad, you really sent her in those shoes?"All I could do was laugh. A memory to look back and realize, who cares the shoes she had on. She was smiling, her ribbons on her pig tails were lopsided, but that is my daughter.


This photo shop crap really, this puts fire under my bottom. It's time we take a stand. I have been teaching about Body Image and Eating Disorders for a good period of time. So many of our kids look at the media (all ages of kids!) and want to look like THAT person. Let them be themselves and stop trying to make them be someone they are not. Whatever happened to teaching your kids about all the wonderful things that make them up other than their beautiful hair, eyes, lips, calve muscles, whatever! Teach them how BEAUTIFUL they are inside.

Take a look ...
http://www.parentdish.com/2007/07/11/photoshopping-school-portraits/

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw-act/school-portraits-get-airbrushed/story-e6freuzi-1111113928476

Then after you read that, contact LIFETIME PORTRAITS and ask them what they were thinking. Freedom of speech, and time to take a stand before our next generation of kids end up in treatment hospitals for eating disorders or therapy because they hate the skin they are in.

Thanks to all of you who continue to support what I do...that is awareness....lend your hand or take out your wallet and pay the $8.50 to photo shop your kids.