School pictures inevitably seem to capture student’s not-so-finest moments.

It’s that time of year again, when students have to face the moment they’ve all been dreading: getting back their school pictures.

Most students got a sneak-peak of their school photos on Parent Portal last week, as they had been posted on the site before they were available for them to take home. The news quickly spread throughout the student body and, by lunchtime, everyone was logging-on to Genesis to find their 2013-2014 pictures enlarged on the main page of the site.

Of course there are those select few who are content with their pictures. While others take one quick look at their pictures and say, “Okay, so when are re-takes?”

“Picture day is probably the worst day of the year,” sophomore Beth Keefe said. “It’s just so stressful.”

Picture day is full of long hours in front of the mirror, make-up, hair, endless waiting in lines, and awkward smiles—the longest, most uncomfortable day of the year which students absolutely despise.

“And if it doesn’t turn out the way you hoped, you have to do it all over again,” said sophomore Hailey Nirenberg.

Max Marcilla added, “Re-takes are the worst part. Now there’s pressure, if you don’t like your picture this time, that’s it.”

For over 70 years, Lifetouch School Portraits has been partnered with schools to provide the industry’s standard in quality portrait products and services. Beginning their business in Minnesota, the photography company has grown to be one of the largest in the United States.

The photographers generally seem friendly and understanding of the students. However, the whole process of picture day wears down students and, at times, the photographers’ best interests have nothing to do with the students: it’s about getting paid.

“I think if the photographers tried not to rush us so much, the process would be much more relaxed, and, in turn, students would be more satisfied with their pictures,” a sophomore student at GRHS said. “They seem to be more focused on getting the job over with than actually taking nice pictures. And there’s always that one photographer that just seems to not want to be there.”