If you’re ever in the mood for a good laugh, watch Ellen’s Bad Paid for Photos segment. It’s a riot to see some of the pictures people actually paid money for. One common denominator I’ve noticed in most of the photos include the oversize eyeglasses worn in the 80′s. Picture after picture of school kids wearing glasses bigger than their face. I smile in sympathy when I see those glasses, because in some of my worst school photos, I’m wearing the same ones.
When I was in second grade I had to get prescription glasses. I remember them too, they were my favorite glasses ever. They had tiny images of Strawberry Shortcake on the frame. I thought they were so cool and lucky for me, this pair were of a reasonable size for the time period.
Then as time progressed, my eyesight worsened and my glasses got bigger. I started to hear some teasing when other kids called me four-eyes. My glasses and I started to enter a rocky relationship. I depended on them to see, but they were getting me made fun of. Surprisingly, I didn’t hear any jokes about my hair!
To make matters worse, once I reached junior high, prescription eyeglasses had become…well, there’s no other word for it - enormous. I guess the theory was the worse your eyesight was, the bigger the lens and it only helped you see better if they covered your entire face. Not only were they awkward to wear but they became a bit of a hazard in gym class and when playing sports. With glasses this size it was inevitable that I would get hit in the face with the ball and when I did, man, did it hurt! I still remember the pain of first the ball, and then the glasses slamming into my face. But I loved sports, so I kept playing and even ran track – those giant glasses weren’t going to hold me down!
Needless to say, by this time I was begging and pleading to get contacts. And the the minute my mom gave me permission I made the switch and never looked back. Now, the only time I wear glasses is to read in bed. Although the pair I have today is much more stylish and comfortable than the ones from my past, whenever I wear them this is the girl I’m reminded of:
Kora & Logan stand a good chance that they’ll need glasses. Tired Dad Dave didn’t need them until just out of college, but nonetheless because we both wear them they probably will too. Thankfully they have come a long way and are both stylish and effective now. I’m happy to say Kora & Logan hopefully won’t suffer any bad paid for photos due to their glasses, there may be other reasons, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed that the glasses won’t be one of them!
What about you do you have a bad paid for photo? Or were you subject to a pair of those extra-large eyeglasses?
I was compensated for this post.
I don’t find you glasses so out of the place for the times. I think those a great pictures.
I’m not sure if glasses work that way. Neither my husband or I wear glasses, but my oldest has been wearing him since he was 4. I have several friends where both parents were practically life long glass wearers, but none of their children do.
I had horribly huge glasses too…with dark frames…I only wore them in class and refused to smile when I was wearing them. Why? Because I also had braces and didn’t want anyone to relate the braces and glasses thing together because then they’d know I was a TOTAL dork. Hmmm…did I think they forgot about the braces just b/c I didn’t smile? The rationalization of a 7th grader, right?
Luckily no glasses here and hubs started needing them in his late 40′ so only few years ago. Pretty good change my kids won’t need them.
I don’t recall having any bad pictures I paid for myself, but my little nephew’s school pics this year were absolutely horrid. I can’t believe the photo dude would even take it. My sister requested retakes. They weren’t the best, b ut everything was better then the original.
Oh, gosh!! I could post pics of me almost identical to the ones you posted!! My mother picked out my glasses and I got the huge, heavy glasses that took up half of my face! I got called 4 eyes, coke bottle eyes, etc, etc. I finally begged my mom enough to let me get contacts when I was in the 5th grade and honestly, my social life changed almost the instant I showed up at school without my HUGE glasses!
And honestly, your kids might not have to have glasses! I have to wear glasses because I have TERRIBLE eyesight and my kids father has bad eyes too and neither of my kids need glasses…they both have perfect vision! Maybe your kids will luck out like mine did!
Yes and YES! You are so brave posting these – I especially love you running in track, did you ever lose them during a race?
I had laser eye surgery about 10 years ago, was the best thing ever. I had always worn glasses or contacts – but I didn’t like the glasses and the contacts were constantly drying my eyes out.
I got glasses for the first time as a freshman in high school and they were HUGE! I wear contacts now, but have cute little glasses for those days when I can’t be bothered.
My husband had it worse, though. His vision is horrible, and he wore the glasse that had not only the giant frames, but the thick coke-bottle lenses. He was in HS before he switched to contacts, poor guy. His elementary school pictures are the epitome of the word “nerd.” Turned out a cutie, though, so it’s okay :)
Hey – you’re running in one of those pictures!
Know what’s odd? I got an e-mail from this glasses company (the ones in your links) and I thought it couldn’t be real. But I’ve seen a few posts about them. So good for you – making a funny story out of it!
I have glasses. Didn’t need them til I was 18, but I can’t do lasik because my eyes keep changing. boo.
I know all too well about bad glasses! I have worn them since the 3rd grade!
I should have undergone lasik by now but I’m freaked out by the procedure.
Thanks for stopping by!
I was lucky enough to be one of the ones to not have to wear glasses, until now. But just for reading.
I have watched that before and it is hilarious. I think the biggest things are hair and glasses!
I remember glasses like these. My grandmother went with me to pick out my first pair (wonderful age of 13!) and needless to say I looked hideous. (My grandmother who wore glasses all her life thought I looked stylish. Hmm…) I keep watching my kids too and hope that they take after their father’s eyes. (Hope yours do too-contacts and glasses are a pain!)
Are YOU ready for a laugh? When I was reading this post, my husband was looking over my shoulder and saw that first picture and said “Is that an old picture of you?” I cracked up because it totally could have been. I had the big glasses, the same color hair, the bangs… :)
I can also see Kora in that picture.
Until I get my braces off, I’m all contacts, all the time. After that, I’m looking forward to wearing glasses again. The old dorky is the new cool, but I know I can’t rock specs AND metal mouth.
I know I’ve had some bad paid for photos! :) I started wearing my glasses after college. I need them when I drive at night, but I also wear them to watch TV now. :s I think you were a cutie!! Thanks so much for the visit today!
LOL!! I remember those glasses and the hair!!
Luckily for me , I’ve never needed glasses but now at 48, I can’t read the fine print on cereal boxes which means it’s about time I wore granny glasses.
Have a nice day!!
I love seeing those on Ellen too. Glasses were huge back then, my husband used to wear ones like that, he can’t wear contacts, but luckily the glasses have gotten smaller.
cool photos. Thanks for sharing.