Picture Perfect!

Sid had his annual session of the class photograph the week before school closed for December vacation.  My insistence on him looking his impeccable best along with dropping in a few tips on getting his hair and smile just right was met with strange annoying glances.

I am well aware that the photo-shopped pictures are only going to turn out to be more than perfect unlike those of the yesteryears.

My first Kindergarten class photograph has a part of my face gingerly peeking from behind one of my classmate.  I assume the photographers felt that amongst the many photographs taken, it was better to choose one that had just one kid ‘out of place’.

Then there was the primary school photograph where I was all teeth with a shock of hair that looked like looked like my mother had given me a haircut using gardening shears and some helpful rats. To this date, the only gratification when I see the picture is the equally awkward toothless smiles of my friends on either side of me, a few who look like they had just seen a ghost and the others who stood with their eyes half closed.

The middle school photograph shows me wearing braces with an awkward smile that made it appear like Mr. Tata would be thrilled to have me as a brand ambassador for his steel company.

I still remember my apprehensions before my graduation photo was taken. I was at my elegant best and gave my best smile as I proudly stood flanked by my parents on either side of me. When the photograph arrived I realized that father had chosen that very moment to blink.

Now, how could I explain my apprehensions to my son?

I suppose it is easier to let him be so that the photographs will provide a hilarious topic of discussion in his adult years and will be reason enough to bring a smile on his face on reminiscing a beautiful part of his life called childhood!

What are your photo stories?

Let  me know!