Parents are upset over their children’s school photos being edited.
A Maryland mother is calling out a photography company her daughter’s school uses after it retouched her school pictures. “I was shocked,” Greene told The New York Post. Her shock came after her 12-year-old daughter came home with her school pictures. When she opened up the photo package, there was a note instructing her to pay an additional $12 for the “retouching services” that were used on the photo.
Some of the photographer’s retouching services – done by a company called Lifetouch – offers are blemish removal, teeth whitening and skin-tone evening.
“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,” Greene continued.
Photo retouching options have always been offered. But recent reports have shown that face-altering filters and other options to change natural facial features have led to a rise in depression and anxiety amongst young girls.
Last month, the protective mother took to social media and called out the company, “I’m going to need someone to explain to me why @ Lifetouch offers PHOTO RETOUCH for KIDS school pics?! What the hell?!” Said Greene.
NYU psychologist, Yamalis Diaz, says minor retouching is subtle and unnoticeable to most children. But, drastic changes could be detrimental to a child’s self-esteem.
“Could that start to make them feel inadequate? … Can that lead to some anxiety and depressed mood, eating disorders, body dysmorphia? Absolutely,” Diaz said. “Instead of accepting your physical characteristics, your disability, your features, your appearance, you’re supposed to be fixing it or hiding it. And that is a dangerous message to send.”
