Say Cheese

Pictures from your childhood are simply priceless. They often remind you of different parts of your life that you may have forgotten… like the specific toys you used to play with, your dad’s old station wagon with the wooden panels, or your favorite t-shirt or polyester plaid pants. The coolest thing about old pictures is the spirit of childhood that is captured on paper… that unapologetic, unfailing enthusiasm for life.

There is a very cool project online, YOUNGME – NOWME, put out by Ze Frank and Erik Kastner. They invited adults to try to recreate a pose and picture from childhood with their current adult self, making it into a contest.

A big hat tip to Lisa B. for pointing us to the site! Lisa brought up a good point about the pictures…

Isn’t it funny how reserved people are as adults. In the kid photos, they’re letting it all hang out. Their emotions are so raw. In the adult photos, they may be making a similar face, but you don’t see the same emotion in their eyes. . . like they don’t really want to GO for it. Because you know they could, but they’re just holding back.

Aren’t these photos an interesting metaphor for the rest of our lives…
Childhood is filled with raw emotions. Tears are quick and plentiful… and so are hugs and “I love you’s” (at least in comparison to adulthood). If you’re mad you might throw a fit, or scream, or hit something. (childish, sure… but definitely more honest about their emotions than many adults who suppress anger and frustration) If you’re happy you literally leap for joy and dance around the room.

It may be difficult, with all that we are responsible for as adults to just “go for it” like we did as kids… but if we’re not constantly trying, then what’s the point? I have to say that this girl is definitely “going for it.”

Have a blast checking out these photos. I sure did! You can find the other winners here and view the entire gallery here.

Here are the gold and silver winners. (Gold on top, silver on the bottom)