Because I Had To    …    Photo
I am not a person who is photogenic. Over the years I have come to accept this and the fact that there are many (many) photos of me that are posted, published or printed that are just not … good.
In addition, I tend to make weird faces or retreat into my neck whenever there is a camera around. When I was young, I often made silly faces to hide the fact that I didn’t have a camera-ready, natural-looking smile. Even for my high school senior portraits, which were professionally done, I had to select a serious-looking image.  And lest you think that I am simply being overly critical of myself, I can assure you that I am not. Years ago, I was on a Channel 3 program wherein Mr. Scot Haney promptly declared to the entire audience that the image he saw of me on the TV monitor was definitely NOT the same as the image he saw of me standing in front of him. I believe he even used a comparison phrase of something like a ‘chunky monkey’ and ‘tiny little thing’. It didn’t bother me though, because he was right. I am better in person.
However, there are (rare) occasions when I manage to ‘take’ a good photo. I am always pleased when this coincides with an occasion that requires the photo to be long-term. By long-term I mean for a license or family portrait that will be framed. One year, upon renewing my license, I was awe-struck when I saw how good my photo was. For whatever reason, I looked like a gal in her 20s: fresh faced, worry free and with a sweet smile. I treasured this license photo and felt free to whip it out whenever I could. Then, only one short year later, I changed my name and needed a new license and photo. This time, I managed to    ‘take’ an exceptionally bad photo. Subsequently, each driver’s license photo has been worse and worse.  
Recently, I needed a photo for a travel visa application. Upon walking by a passport photo-taking place, my husband declared that we should go in and, simply, get it done. I was a wreck. My hair was ultra frizzy and styled in the very fashionable blob atop my head. Plus, we were headed to the gym. I was wearing a T-shirt that certainly did not compliment me or my complexion. I wanted to protest but my protests seemed futile given the fact that it was irrelevant if my picture was good or bad. It only mattered if it effectively represented my likeness? Resigned, I sat down and tried to present my best relaxed face for the camera. It didn’t work. The photos are my worst yet only further validating my declaration that I am better in person. But then again, perhaps that is not such a bad thing.
Entry? Approved.
Kathy Naumann, possessor of NATURALLY curly hair and the understanding that you can’t control everything!

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