April A-Z Topic: Portraits
But this family ... wow guys, this just taking creepy to a whole new level.
Apparently a Florida family who adopted a thirteen year old boy decided to get some portraits of the kid done. Okay, fair enough. A new member joins the family I suppose that calls for a couple of snaps.
But it was their choice of themes that made me wince with second hand embarrassment.
Rather than using the traditional three quarter angle, glance off into the distance pose that most parent opt for with kids that age, they decided to give this boy the baby photos he never had ... and yes, this does get as weird as you think.
Pictures of him swaddled in a blanket, pictures of him sleeping on his crossed arms, hell, there's even pictures of his sock covered feet!
But traditional baby portraits of a thirteen year old? There's just something so cringe worthy about it.
The article says that the kid was the one who wanted the pictures, but I find that a bit hard to believe. And even if he did, surely the parents should have known better than to release those pictures to the public, even if they were doing it to promote adoption of older children. The internet is forever, people! Those photos are going to follow him around for the rest of his life!
That kid is NOT going to thank you for it in a few years time, and I really don't blame him one bit.
Apparently a Florida family who adopted a thirteen year old boy decided to get some portraits of the kid done. Okay, fair enough. A new member joins the family I suppose that calls for a couple of snaps.
But it was their choice of themes that made me wince with second hand embarrassment.
Rather than using the traditional three quarter angle, glance off into the distance pose that most parent opt for with kids that age, they decided to give this boy the baby photos he never had ... and yes, this does get as weird as you think.
Pictures of him swaddled in a blanket, pictures of him sleeping on his crossed arms, hell, there's even pictures of his sock covered feet!
Now, I like a creepy baby portrait as much as the next person. Hell, the creepier the better! You want to dress your sweet little diddums like a pumpkin? Knock yourself out! He's got to have something to complain to his therapist about, right?
But traditional baby portraits of a thirteen year old? There's just something so cringe worthy about it.
The article says that the kid was the one who wanted the pictures, but I find that a bit hard to believe. And even if he did, surely the parents should have known better than to release those pictures to the public, even if they were doing it to promote adoption of older children. The internet is forever, people! Those photos are going to follow him around for the rest of his life!
That kid is NOT going to thank you for it in a few years time, and I really don't blame him one bit.
Whoa...That's creepy...Mainly because they didn't get him in the proper poses. Obviously he should have been put in matching overalls with his new parents like any normal 13-year-old-posed-in-disturbing-ways-by-adoptive-parents-who-just-proved-he-would-probably-be-better-living-on-his-own-or-with-Gary-Busey-as-his-dad-than-those-nut-bars.
ReplyDeleteExactly! Lets have some age appropriate embarrassing photos!
DeleteOkay. Now I'm a little worried about myself because I think it's kinda sweet. Should I call my therapist?
ReplyDeleteLOL! Each to their own I suppose :D
DeleteYep, creepy. I, too don't believe that it was the kid's idea but if it was, the parents still should have control over the pictures...and their release to the public.
ReplyDeleteIt's something I think they're going to regret eventually.
Deleteha ha ha that's crazy.. wait, I have never had baby fotos..I think I am going to take baby photos of me!! who says its too late to take baby fotos?!?
ReplyDeleteI'm just glad they didn't go for the naked on a bearskin rug option.
DeleteI'm so torn about this. I thought the same thing, did the kid really ask for the photos for himself? If he did, then I say it's wonderful, although I absolutely agree they should have never made these public. But if the parents decided it would be a great idea on their own? Makes me wonder if the adoption should be revoked.
ReplyDeleteI don't know ... I've never met a thirteen year old who would think this is a good idea.
DeleteOh that's just disturbing. Even if he did want them himself did anyone stop to ask WHY he wanted them. I don't know 13 year old boys that like taking pictures in the first place let alone mock baby pictures. This is just weird.
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely questionable.
DeleteVery disturbing. Some day I'll post about my experiences showering with two Anne Geddes photos staring at me. One of them a very disturbing image of a baby in a bed of rosebuds with her/his genitalia covered by a penis shaped rosebud.
ReplyDeleteOh god, penis shaped rosebud? That's just ... I can't even.
DeleteTHAT is creepy. I gasped so loud and cringed at the screen so abrruptly I woke up Mountain Man. He says, "Hi." ;)
ReplyDeleteWait, now I sound creepy....forget it.
DeleteLOL! Tell Mountain Man I said "Hi" back :D
DeleteOh, that was funny and a great idea. I think I shall have my baby photos done tonight with nappies and everything, ha ha ha.
ReplyDeleteLOL! And ew!
DeleteWhy is it that all the weird crap in America happens in Florida? I gotta get out of this state!!!
ReplyDeleteLOL! I guess it's just a "unique" place ;D
DeleteEw, just......ew.
ReplyDeleteYep, totally.
DeleteYIKES!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteCame by from Tales of the Reborn Crafter
http://talesofthereborncrafter.blogspot.com/
Scary, huh?
DeleteIt could have been worse. Those black and white photos of the dad cradling the naked baby would have been a whole lot worse.
ReplyDeleteOoh, yeah, that would definitely have been awkward.
DeleteWell, that is a bit odd. Maybe he's into theater and doesn't mind? Dunno.
ReplyDeletePossibly :)
DeleteYup, that sounds a little creepy.
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely a little eyebrow raising.
Deletewow--yes there should be an age limit!
ReplyDeleteUrggghhh that's SO creepy x
ReplyDeleteYep, definitely creepy.
DeleteI thought this was nice and funny, maybe it wasn't intended to go viral? But i reckon that's something we would do in my family for a laugh, but maybe our sense of humor is creepy?
ReplyDeleteI found it creepy, but I can see how some people would find it funny. I just have a hard time believing a thirteen year old boy would want it.
DeleteIt isn't creepy--it was a joke! They were all in on it, y'all. Apparently, they were laughing during the shoot. The photos are a real hoot and scream "ironic", not "weird".
ReplyDeleteYou're probably right, but I have to admit the pictures made me cringe.
DeleteWhat's everyone complaining about? I want to do this and I'm almost 30. Let me just grab my oversized onesie...
ReplyDeleteSkip the onesie and go right for the nude on a bearskin rug. It's a classic ;P
DeleteI saw this family in an interview a while back. This article doesn't do the thought behind the pictures quite enough justice. The kid, in the interview I saw, genuinely wanted the photos. And while they're' a bit of a cheeky joke, it was more a symbolic thing for him about how traditional families treat new additions and how he missed some of those traditions by being holed up in foster care for so long, and how it's such a pity that if you don't get adopted as a baby, your chances of finding your forever family to share those traditions with dwindle so tragically fast. It was weird but kind of sweet. Now I have to see if I can find that video to share.
ReplyDeleteHowever. I agree with you 100% on the publicity angle. These weren't things they need to share with the world at large, because you're right, it's paints this strange picture for families who may now shy away from older kids in adoption.
You're right, I don't know where they're coming from so I can't exactly judge.
DeleteThat sounds weird to me, sure, but if the boy wanted them and the family was fine with it, then why not? Consent is all that matters. What's genuinely weird is that they went public.
ReplyDeleteJohn at The Bathroom Monologues
I do wonder if he'll regret it in a year or so.
DeleteWow. That is creepy.
ReplyDeleteI definitely thought so.
DeleteOooh yes, that makes me uncomfortable. Although I do think it is the kid that wanted it. The new parents just didn't know how to say no. I think the kid is trying to recapture a childhood he never had. I think this kid has psychological problems-- an emotional immaturity beyond anything we might be used to... Perhaps it was therapeutic. Who knows. Only they know. However, I do agree... the kid isn't going to thank the parents in a few years. No way, no how.
ReplyDeleteI do think in a couple of years he'll be cursing them for letting him.
DeleteI don't think that it's creepy at all, a little odd but not creepy. I agree that the photos shouldn't have been used publicly, imagine the flack that poor boy will get in school. Obviously there's something deep rooted there about not having pictures of himself as a baby. But if he's happy to partake, then for me, that's all that matters. :)
ReplyDeleteThat's a fair point, although I do think he'll be upset about it in a few years time.
DeleteI am sitting here blushing FOR that kid. I find it hard to believe that it was the kid's idea. Kids that age will do ANYTHING not to be embarrassed. THIS is embarrassing. Even to have the pictures done to satisfy the parents is one thing; to have them POSTED on the internet? Holy casabamelons, Batman! That's crazy talk!
ReplyDeleteJust stopping by on the A-Z blogging challenge!
Even if he wasn't embarrassed then, I can't imagine he won't be eventually.
DeleteI didn't open the attachment because I'm at work and am afraid of what I'd find. That said, based on your summary, I think that this kid will be in need of oodles of therapy if those pictures ever leak.
ReplyDeleteWell they've definitely leaked, and I imagine he'll regret it in a few years.
DeleteWow, this is the first I've heard of this story. I'm trying to paint a picture in my mind of what these would look like and if in reality they are as odd as I've pictured. Hmmm...I may refrain from searching them out and just enjoy the mental image I have. :)
ReplyDeleteLOL! It's probably for the best :D
DeleteWEIRD! New follower here. I'm stopping by from the "A to Z" challenge and I look forward to visiting again.
ReplyDeleteSylvia
http://www.writinginwonderland.blogspot.com/
Welcome :D
DeleteI can appreciate the concept & the humor behind it, but I agree the kid will get some serious ribbing from kids at school for the photos. If it truly was his idea, he may have already expected some teasing & is thick-skinned enough to handle it. Hopefully that's the case. :)
ReplyDeleteHere's hoping!
DeleteWhat the?!?!?!? There weren't any with a pacifier in his mouth. These people have no idea what they're doing.
ReplyDeleteRank amateurs!
DeleteI am the proud owner of a thirteen year old, and good luck taking her picture in whatever she wore to school, let alone bizarro land attire and poses!
ReplyDeleteLOL! I can just imagine that conversation! "Honey? How would you like to get your photo taken buck naked on a bearskin rug?"
DeleteWow, that turned out much creepier than I was anticipating.
I shudder to think of these photos resurfacing during this boys adult years. I can't help but become uncomfortable as I imagine bare bottomed tummy time shots we took of our infant son.
ReplyDeleteI'd have to assume that, at the very least, they'll make an appearance at his 21st.
DeleteOn one hand, creepy, on the other, maybe he had such a rough life that this was like a re-birthing for him? Who knows, unless he comes out and says something, and maybe he has I haven't gone looking, we don't know.
ReplyDeleteMaybe ... but I still think when they pull them out at his 21st birthday he'll regret it.
DeleteNo way! I just heaved a little. This is truly... um.. twisted..? Is that the right word. Hard to find the right words. Makes me wonder what the 'family life' is like...
ReplyDeleteIt's a little eyebrow raising, isn't it.
Delete