It doesn’t take much to get some folks worked up these days, especially when it comes to their children.
While there’s plenty to be concerned about in public schools, much of it coming from those tasked with looking out for the best interests of students in their charge, an issue involving school photos has a Maryland mom up in arms.
Jennifer Greene is upset over a $12 upcharge for portrait “retouching” services offered by photography company Lifetouch, which took a photo of her 12-year-old daughter, Madeline. When Greene opened the seventh grader’s school-picture package, she saw a premium offer included for teeth whitening, skin-tone evening and blemish removal and “freaked,” according to the New York Post.
Turns out, Greene was not upset over the extra fee, but the service itself, saying she does not want her daughter to feel pressured into looking picture-perfect, the paper reported.
“I was shocked,” she told The Post. “I completely disagree with [retouching a child’s school picture], because it’s teaching kids that they need to look perfect all the time and that they can change [a perceived flaw] with the click of a mouse.”
The article went on to note that the option to retouch school portraits isn’t new, it’s now “being offered to students as young as pre-K and are becoming as ubiquitous as face-altering filters on social media, which have triggered a spike in anxiety and depression in teen girls.”
Greene took to Twitter last month to express her angst, tagging the photography company in a tweet: “I’m going to need someone to explain to me why @Lifetouch offers PHOTO RETOUCH for KIDS school pics?! What the hell?!”
I’m going to need someone to explain to me why @Lifetouch offers PHOTO RETOUCH for KIDS school pics?! What the hell?! #parenting pic.twitter.com/x63hGFz4YS
— Jenn Greene (@traveljenn) September 29, 2021
She included the hashtag #parenting in the tweet, as seen above, but said she never received a response from Lifetouch.
In a statement to The Post, Lifetouch said, “Our goal is always to authentically capture each child we photograph. Photo retouch is an entirely opt-in service that customers choose to add on to photo packages. Most, if not all, school photography companies offer this service and it’s an expectation as an available option for schools.”
View this post on Instagram
The key phrase here is “opt-in service,” as in optional; at the parent’s choosing. As the company noted, it’s an expected service as many parents do want that “perfect” photograph, and photography companies that don’t offer it are at a significant competitive disadvantage.
In responding to a social media user who pointed out that this was optional, Greene replied: “I have never seen it offered, so I was very taken aback. And while I do understand the don’t purchase mentality, photo retouching shouldn’t be an option for kids. IMO.”
I have never seen it offered, so I was very taken aback. And while I do understand the don’t purchase mentality, photo retouching shouldn’t be an option for kids. IMO
— Jenn Greene (@traveljenn) October 27, 2021
Here’s a quick sampling of other responses to the story from Twitter:
Really? They did school picture retouchs in the 80s when we were in school. This is NOT something new at all. People want it, so that’s why it’s offered. Don’t use the service if you don’t want to. We never did.
— Sam Beckitt (@SamBeckitt) October 27, 2021
Simple.
Don’t want the retouching services, don’t order them. There are real things to get upset about. This isn’t one of them.
— Al Smith (@AlSmith25646509) October 27, 2021
Calm down Karen, they’ve done this since forever. Ever think of saying no thank you and moving on? Or are you one of the Moms that wants all peanut farms scorched around the world because your kid allegedly has an allergy?
— Proud American LGBT Catholic (@AmericanLgbt) October 27, 2021
Kristin Loerns, a parent in Tampa, Fla., was featured in the Post article taking exception to her son Kieran’s “adorable freckles” being brushed away in his school photos last November.
“I gave permission for ‘basic retouching,’ which would be removing blemishes, and they removed all of his freckles instead,” the 36-year-old blogger and photographer said. After complaining to Lifetouch about the situation, the company reportedly resent the pictures with the freckles right back where they reside in reality.
Spring on the left, fall on the right. @Lifetouch can I have his freckles back please? #editingfail
Don’t change things that are actually a part of a child’s face 😒 pic.twitter.com/qbHsf9oLEK
— Kristin Loe | LoeFamilyLoves (@LoeFamilyLoves) November 17, 2020
There were some in social media who sided with the parents, as seen here:
I agree with the units. They want their child to be comfortable with how they look…not some edited version. This kid has freckles…not in the after pic. Yeah. I might be upset by that.
— Te-ca-ro-ma-go-ma🎶 (@teri526) October 27, 2021
Kindergarten makeover???
— Punk Rock Jenny (@PunkRockJenny) October 27, 2021
I don’t support this at all.
If we are teaching young people that their face should be altered to sit on the mantle piece at home, then how are they to feel comfortable with their own face every single day?— Stephanie Coates (@CoatesOffNews) October 27, 2021
DONATE TO BIZPAC REVIEW
Please help us! If you are fed up with letting radical big tech execs, phony fact-checkers, tyrannical liberals and a lying mainstream media have unprecedented power over your news please consider making a donation to BPR to help us fight them. Now is the time. Truth has never been more critical!
- Premise for diversity hiring in policing disavowed: ‘Letting race trump merit is always a disaster’ - January 31, 2023
- Serial road rage suspect dubbed ‘Tesla Terrorizer’ finally nabbed, shocking acts of violence caught on camera - January 31, 2023
- Survey reveals top US problem, and it’s not inflation or immigration - January 31, 2023
Comment
We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.