Because the camera at our local post office has been out of order for years, we stopped by a nearby CVS drug store to complete the photo step of the passport renewal process. Â It was then that I realized what a difference 13 years makes in technology.
Last time I got my passport picture taken it was 1997.  My husband  and I had been married for 6 years and we were really excited to be taking a trip to London.  I had never traveled out of the US and was in need of my first passport.
We went to a local photography studio to get the necessary pictures.
Before digital photography.
I distinctly remember that they were $20 and once taken they ‘magically’ appeared in 20 minutes…20 minutes was almost instant in 1997.
So, I posed in front of white background wearing my favorite plaid shirt buttoned up to the very top button (I can promise you that I was wearing it with my favorite pleated jeans and faux-crocodile ankle boots because I was hawt like that).
1, 2, 3….
*flash*
I paid the $20 during the wait for the final product.
Meanwhile we basked in the bright light of 20 minute film development.
1997 was super modern.
The photographer handed me my photos in a cute little passport-like folder and I opened them up and gasped.
In horror.
I couldn’t be seen in OTHER countries in a photo like that.
I was hideous.
The problem was that it was 1997. Â A re-take was $20 and 20 more minutes.
$20 and 20 more minutes that we didn’t have.
I swallowed my pride and decided it wasn’t that big of a deal. Â We went directly to the post office and applied for the passport. Â A month later when it arrived in the mail I cringed and vowed not to open it up unless asked by a uniformed agent.
It turns out that the London trip was the only trip in which a passport was needed over the following 13 years.
And so today, the CVS employee took my picture with her hand-held digital camera and turned it around to give me a look. Â I shook my head and said, “Can you please take another one?”
Just because it was digital.
Just because I could.
Just because I didn’t want to spend the next 13 years looking like this:
It really makes me wonder if  the reason we didn’t travel in the last 13 years was embarrassment.
Thank you. I have finally seen a picture worse than my driver’s license. Surprisingly, the Texas DPS will not retake your picture. They simply don’t care. Pffft.
WHAT is up with the uncaring government folk? Weird.
I have a lovely driver’s license with a similar look.
We have a matching set?
Oh.sweet.Mary.
I’m gonna have nightmares now. It’s a lock.
Oh ya, Halloween 2011…Holly’s passport picture will be the HAWT costume.
Oh man, Holly. It’s a darn good thing that I had put down my glass of water before getting to the end of this post, because I haven’t done a choke-laugh-guffaw like that in a while. Seeing someone who is so clearly not-hideous look so… well, let’s just say that picture didn’t exactly capture you in the best of light, as you mentioned. Holy geez, it sure is hilarious though!
ha! Glad my pain could be helpful…
OH MY CHEESE!!!
That’s fantastic.
That’s what my military ID looks like! Only mine was in 2008. And I wasn’t allowed to há?ek a do-over. Sigh…
BAHAHAHA! Holly! I just busted out laughing. This is the funniest thing I have witnessed today, and we already discussed that I witnessed some funny things today. That picture is AWESOME! This page is bookmarked under “encouragement” and I will look at it when I need a little pick me up.
I had to get a new military ID about six weeks after child #3 was born. My hair was pushed back in an awful headband, I had huge dark circles under my eyes…oh it was bad. So bad that the lady asked, “Oh, honey, do you want me to re-take this?” I told her I was still six weeks post-partum and had gotten a total of four hours of sleep that week. A re-take was futile. People are still shocked when I show them. Ohhh, the humanity.
ugh! I can’t even imagine…I have blocked that time period out and deleted all pics :).
Can I just say I am so so sorry. That looks like my DL picture, on my 18th birthday. I looked drunk.
and I look stoned! It is amazing they let us operate heavy machinery!
That picture made me laugh. OUT LOUD. Not because it’s so hideous. )Although, it is pretty bad.) But because I can totally relate to your story. Who doesn’t have a photo that looks like that on a drivers license or a passport. Too funny. Thank the Lord for today’s technological advances. I’m all about a do-over!
it is OK to say it is hideous…but my SAM’s card is a GREAT picture. Wish I could use that everywhere.