I’m a parent, but I’m not on Facebook.
So, if you want to see random photos of my cute kid, you have to come to my house or check in with this blog on a regular basis because I’m not looking to hop on the Facebook bandwagon anytime soon… or ever.
GASP! Right? I know. I am a member of a dying breed.
Everybody’s doing it, so why am I holding out?
I’m waiting for Anderson Cooper to feature me on a show dedicated to non-Facebook users under the age of 60.
I’ll work it like a virgin. After all, I almost feel like one of those people featured on TLC’s “Virgin Diaries.” The reality series chronicles the lives of 20 and 30-somethings who have never consummated a relationship. Only, instead of saying “no” to procreating, I opt out of using a social networking service to communicate with friends, family and co-workers.
But, I digress.
Despite the fact that I don’t have an official Facebook page, I do keep abreast of interesting tidbits that stem from parents’ addiction to the online social utility. The latest trend involves moms and dads paying to have professional vacation photos taken of the entire clan, so they can impress their Facebook friends.
Recession? What recession?
Seriously, are you really the type of parent, who has the time, money and energy to hire a pro to snap stunning images of you and your kids frolicking on the beach, just so you can post them on Facebook and hopefully blow away your friends?
According to MSNBC, professional photographers have seen a recent boost in business from parents looking to capture those special vacation moments. Not so they can craft scrapbooks or place them in pretty frames around the house. Rather, moms and dads are digging deep to pay for pro images, so they can impress their online buddies with photographic proof of all the adventures they enjoyed while away from home.
Working at more than $500 an hour, vacation photographers say they couldn’t be happier to help supply parents with material for their virtual brag book.
Gone are the days when you asked some kind stranger to snap a photo of the fam posing in front of Niagara Falls or Mt. Rushmore. Now, it appears only pro snappers will do, so pretentious parents can have just the right shot to display as their new Facebook profile shot.
Is this just another facet of the Facebook culture?
Related Articles:
Confessions of a Reluctant Facebook Parent
Birthing Moms Go Glam for Facebook