A few days ago, my mother kindly reminded me that I had to get my passport renewed for an upcoming overseas holiday.
I was all set to head to the post office to get me a little square photo I knew I'd hate when a work friend suggested I go to this other place that does passport photos "really well."
Now, this was my first time renewing a passport as an adult (before then, that was my mums job and mental load to take on), so I always thought the post office was the only place you could get your photos done.
When I asked my friend what a "really well" passport photo entailed, she showed me her shiny new image in her shiny new passport. She looked amazing. It was unlike every other passport photo I've ever seen — AKA unfortunate. This photo was very much fortunate. It was a photo I would proudly display to the world. Maybe even use on my dating profile.
So without asking any further questions, the next day I rocked up to the questionable but highly-recommended photo place.
They made me sit in a chair, had some very bright lights shine on me and took the photo. I assumed the lighting is what made the photo great until the kind person who took the photo told me to give them 20 minutes.
She then (in front of the whole store) started digitally touching up my photo. She didn't photoshop (I asked her if she could remove my double-chin to which she politely declined), but she lightened areas, darkened areas and just made me look great. Like my friend promised, she did my photo "really well". I took my shiny new photos to the passport office and got my shiny new passport.