- 9/17/2007 10:15:29 PMPreliminary Documents and PhotosWe are in the process of assembling all of our preliminary documentation and one of the requirements is that we have 12 to 16 photos of us and our home. The photos should reflect each room of our house and show us as a happy, loving, and interactive family.
In the past, we have always taken photos with the thought that, "they are for us" or "for our eyes only". This was especially true when we got a digital camera. They went right on to the computer without stopping at the photo-mart first. our photo albums reflect who we are and in many cases they are only understood by people who already know us. When we see a picture that we think is funny, soothing, or sad, it is because we remember the circumstances of when it was taken. Now however, it seems that we must subject ourselves to the unspoken international standards by which they will be judged.
"Are they smiling?"
"Are they dressed well?"
"Are they dressed too well?"
"Do things in the picture seem orderly?"
"Does the home look like it is in good repair?"
"Why are they seated that way?"
"Why did they choose THIS photo over a different one?"
If you spend too much time thinking about such things, you will drive yourself crazy. I remember thinking a similar thought while taking the MMPI-2 Personal Inventory. I couldn't spend too much time thinking about the questions because then I would never answer them and fail to complete the questionnaire. In the end, we must be the people we are and nothing more. In fact, we can be nothing else. There is no single picture (or question) that can capture that. I guess that is the stressful part.
