There are few ceremonial acts that we improvise. This includes spontaneous speeches, prayers, group photos. They all move me in their own way. In group photos it is an archaic, often clumsy attempt to capture who all existed at the same time – in this one person Christmasat this one conference – and then frame the result and put it on a dresser or on the landing page of a medium-sized company.
Unlike selfies, those pictured are not granted ten attempts, but usually only one or two. This accounts for much of the unease that arises whenever someone says “And now… a group photo!” says and the big sorting begins: the long ones to the back, the short ones to the front. Likewise: the boss or the great-grandmother – without ever talking about created or natural order – reliably forward. It is unlikely that everyone will have their eyes open in the end. But that’s not the point here. It’s about making you look good. Here’s how:
