When Did Airbrushing Your Child’s School Photo Become A Thing?

At two minutes to 8am on school photo day, the panic was all too predictable. My daughters and I dashed out the door after I did a quick scan of their school uniforms, making sure they were presentable. While my eight-year-old spends ample amounts of time lying on the floor with the family dog, making her clothing less than perfect, there was little I could do in the time we had.

As a family of four, we had recently relocated from Manchester, England to Phoenix, Arizona, and school photo day was a big deal. I examined the order form given to me by my 12-year-old daughter and noticed the various package options. Alongside the keyrings and USB sticks, there were retouching services available. For $12, you could airbrush your child’s photo to remove blemishes, whiten teeth, remove scars, and even out skin tone. But when did we start telling kids these altered versions of themselves were better than the real thing?

My youngest daughter suffers from mastocytosis, an autoimmune condition that produces skin lesions. Although they have begun to fade, they are still present on her body and face. Instead of hiding them, we celebrate them as part of who she is. Altering her skin tone in any way would be erasing an essential part of her identity. She also has an issue with the enamel on her teeth, which gives them a yellow shade. But this, too, is part of what makes her unique.

It’s not clear whether opting for enhancement means picking your child out of the class photo or doing a job lot. Either way, it’s unlikely that my kids will have the same glow-up as some of their peers. But isn’t that the beauty of school photos over the years? Looking back at the dodgy haircuts, chipped teeth, and wonky ties is all part of the fun. Uniformity has no place in this space.