We just ordered Sophie’s school pictures online. Using sample pictures with models (letting you choose which model looks most like your child), the Lifetouch website does its best to offer up-sells — added bonuses for an extra charge. Do we want an extra thousand wallet prints, or a selection of multiple poses so we can choose our favorite?
The best option is this, offering to retouch the picture to remove acne:
Retouching?
Even better than the existence of this service is the brilliant marketing: the default choice is “Basic Retouching” showing the handsome young man you surely want printed in your son’s yearbook. Or, if you’re a cheapskate, you can choose to see his face dotted with acne.
“…an extra thousand wallet prints…”
I do have some room in my wallet these days.
I’m guessing the $6 activates a computer algorithm to smooth things over, as it were. If so, can a “face” book tool that makes you look the way you’d like to be seen. Maybe add some virtual friends, to boot.
Or one that fixes up some of those more embarrassing photos — change beer bottles to Coke, certain hand gestures to “V” for peace/victory, lingerie into business casual.
Personally, I am already younger, thinner and smarter on the internets, but a little extra help doesn’t hurt.