UPDATE: Photographer removes ‘digital slimming’ service following outrage
The University’s official graduation photographer sparked anger last night after it emerged graduates were being offered the chance to pay to make themselves SLIMMER in photos.
Success Photography, an agency hired by the university and based in Surrey, is offering newly-finished students the chance to digitally slim themselves in graduation photos when they collect certificates later today.
A description on the company’s website says that the service, offered at £9.95, makes the traditional graduation gown ‘more fitting to your shape’.
A separate service, offered at £7.95, promises to remove imperfections such as blemishes, shine and redness.
But graduates and members of the public say the offerings by one of Britain’s ‘most innovative’ companies are two innovations too far.
Emily Mangles, a history and English graduate, said: “It’s a bit silly, but if you want it why not? I wouldn’t do it because it was bloody expensive, but fair enough if you’re unfortunate enough to have a huge spot on your nose on the day, why not get it touched up?”
“It’s so easy to do on photoshop though, ridiculous of them to charge so much for it!”
The service caused a storm on social media after it was posted on Twitter by politics and history graduate Sophie Gadd. She told Vision that she thought the services were “playing on people’s insecurities”.
One angry user wrote: “That’s disgusting they’re proud to photograph their graduates and give them a complex at the same time….damaging.”
And another said: “This is the most depressing thing i’ve seen in a longtime.”
Success are the official photographer for more than 100 universities, colleges and professional associations across the UK.
They have been in James College Dining Hall for the York class of 2014 who finished their studies last month.
A spokesperson for the company, who were awarded the Business Innovation of the Year Award by the National Business Awards, said that the services were about offering customers the “choice”.
In a statement posted on Twitter, they added: “Just to make clear ‘digital slimming’ refers to reducing the appearance of the gown only, never the individual.”
A spokesperson for the university confirmed they were looking into the matter. They said: “Success Photography has offered a service at York graduations for a number of years.
“It has a contractual relationship with the Student Union (YUSU) rather than with the University. We have no knowledge of the specific services they offer. We will look into this matter in more detail in conjunction with YUSU as soon as possible.”
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