No matter how good looking you are now or how confident you are in who you've become, there are probably a couple of photos floating around from your youth that are...less than flattering.
Chalk it up to bad fashion or a bad haircut, or maybe a costume your mom should not have let you leave the house in. Whatever your excuse, everyone went through an awkward phase at some point in their life, and all we can do now is laugh about it.
It Wasn't Fashionable Even At The Time
Bad fashion choices can often be explained by saying "it was the '70s" or giving a time frame for reference.
But this look wasn't fashionable at any point in time, even in the '80s when this picture was taken.
Say Cheese!
When the school photographer told you that you needed to smile with your teeth, this is not the smile they wanted.
Unfortunately, this was the only smile you'd give them.
Chewbacca In The Flesh
Your son went away to camp looking like a normal teenager, but when he was returned to you, it looked more like someone was trying to send Bigfoot home with you.
That must take forever to wash and dry.
This Fit Ain't It
This boy voluntarily and repeatedly went out in public with white paint all over his face for reasons that are unknown to him to this day.
While that's unknown, what we do know is that his parents were definitely thrilled when this phase was over.
Grease Lightning Lookalike
This actually wasn't supposed to be a Grease-themed photoshoot.
This 12-year-old girl just happened to look a lot like Rizzo at this moment and now has glamor shots to appreciate for life.
Miss Maturity
You were trying to look more mature in your photo, but you jumped a few too many years ahead and ended up looking like a housewife with three middle-aged kids who love to bake.
I wonder what she looks like now?
You Can't Judge Art
We all had moments when we felt the need to perform a dance in the living room for our parents after dinner, and sometimes we got a little too into it.
You can't blame her for her love of dance.
You Could've Fooled Us
Were you attending your first day of kindergarten, or were you hosting a charity bake sale at the school in order to raise money for the upcoming field trip?
The earrings are really what pushes the vibe.
Nothing Says "Beach Day" Like Denim
If you were to just quietly go to the beach with your family and dress normally, then no one would know that you were going through your angsty teen phase.
So it's important to pull out the jeans at the beach.
"I Loved Cats"
When they posted this photo, the Imgur user felt the need to add a bit of background to this photo and said she loved cats at the time...
We could've guessed that.
The "Dad" Friend Of The Group
They say that people of older generations looked a lot older than they were because of the dated fashion.
But we have to say that's a lie because, regardless of fashion, 14-year-old boys didn't typically look like 35-year-old men.
The Glowup Was Real
It's hard to believe these are even the same two people!
Clearly, time was very kind to this woman after being not so kind to her during her awkward childhood phase.
A Party In The Front And The Back
Nothing says awkward childhood photos like a mullet and a themed photoshoot that your mom probably made you participate in against your will because she needed new photos to send to your grandmother.
This is the kind of photo that is still proudly shown at your grandmother's house to this day.
The Belly Came Before The Beer
For some kids, the awkward phase started young.
Take this little boy, for instance, who looked like a middle-aged man with a beer belly before he was old enough to hold a coherent conversation.
Just A Regular Tuesday Look
Sure, if this was a Halloween costume, then there would be no problems with it and it would be like any other festive photo.
But this was just a regular everyday look.
Family Road Trip Fun
We get it. You didn't want to take this dumb family road trip anyway.
But you were roped into driving four hours to go see Lake Louise, and the people need to know that you're upset about it.
Thirteen Going On Married With Two Children
The canvas over-the-shoulder bag that looks like seatbelt strap really seals the deal on the overall "mom tagging along to a concert with her kids" vibe that's going on here.
Every friend group has one person who takes on the role of mom.
The Hills Are Alive
We all went through a phase where we had one movie we watched repeatedly.
These boys just happened to love The Sound of Music and chose to wear underwear on their head to show their love for it.
Try To Top This One
Two out of these three couples are your classic awkward early 2000s prom couples, but the third couple is the one who chose to share this wonderful photo to highlight their awkward phase...
You can take a guess which couple is still laughing.
Did She Already Play The Game?
Did someone's parent not remember that there were going to be pictures taken on this day, or is her hair just beyond help at this point and they decided to let it happen?
This also just screams 80s hairstyles that all kids had back in the day.
Thank God It Really Was Just A Phase
With a hairstyle like that, even you can't help but laugh at the fact that you actually thought you were making a statement by spiking your hair up for school picture day.
Mom couldn't have been happy paying for these.
This Haircut Is Bangin'
Giving yourself bangs in a moment of crisis was one thing, and it usually tuned out awkwardly, but what is everyone's stance on men with bangs?
This man fully admits to the awkwardness of them, so you're allowed to laugh.
One Big Happy Family
The kids might be alright, but clearly, something is going on with these dogs.
Also, this boy in the middle knows he's about to take the brunt of whatever they're feeling.
You Catch More Fish With Your Hands Than A Rod
It may not have been the most conventional way to catch a fish, and clearly, his sister is as shocked as we are, but this dude wanted the fish and he caught the fish.
Hopefully, he threw him back after this photo.
The Higher The Better
Were you wearing your soccer uniform properly if you didn't have to pull the waistband of your ridiculously long shorts midway up your chest?
And this little girl wanted you to know that yes, she did play games with her shorts this high.
Oh, You Were That Girl
As parents, we always encourage our children to be themselves and be true to who they are.
But then you end up with a kid who poses for photos like this and you regret ever encouraging them.
Parasol Posing
Not only did the parents allow this photo to happen, but some photographer in the mall or in Sears also agreed to let this happen.
Multiple adults approved this photoshoot for this little girl.
She Was Next In Line
For clarification, the woman in the back of the photo is not actually related to the little boy and has nothing to do with this photo.
She was just ready for the picture.
The Self-Proclaimed Blunder Brothers
The only upside to this photo is that it wasn't just one brother going through an awkward phase.
It was a whole sibling clan of awkwardness, so they couldn't make fun of each other.
Time To Blend In
This photo screams "grandma made us matching outfits" and we're not upset about that.
What else are you going to do when you have a spare set of curtains? You're not not going to sew some floral day wear, that's for sure.
It's A Party In The Front And The Back
You were cool if you had a bowl cut and you were cool if you had a mullet, so if you combine the two haircuts then you'd basically be the most popular boy in the eighth grade.
The logic is sound, don't debate it.
Pose Like It's 1999
1999 was a dark year for fashion and for the world all around. People were making crazy decisions with Y2K looming over them.
Crazy decisions like choosing these photos to be their senior yearbook photos.
6 Going On 60
She might be a child in elementary school or she might be the librarian who helps kids pick out the next chapter book they want to read.
It could go either way.
You'll Never Lose Him At Night
In order to be the next great shuffling sensation as a child you needed to have the perfect outfit, and this boy had it.
Even after he quit shuffling, the pants will still be fire.
Fun For The Whole Family
If a haircut looks good on one member of the family, it's going to look good on every person in the family, right?
That's what this family photo has proven.
I'm Not Mad I'm Just Disappointed
She's just as confused as the rest of us about why her parents would allow someone to give their child this haircut...
And she's clearly a little angry about it as well.
The Higher The Hair, The Closer To Jesus
Both the best and worst part about this hairstyle is knowing how much effort went into creating this look.
Someone spent a lot of time and energy perfecting this for picture day.
Two Peas In A Pod
They only need one person's encouragement in life so it doesn't matter whether or not you liked their outfits, they had each other to lean on for support.
They knew they looked cool.
Someone's Watching Over You During Your Karate Match
Any photo that features a close-up photo of yourself as the background is an excellent photo in our books.
It's one that should be shared widely for all those around you to enjoy.
This Was Sure to Get All The Ladies
This young man would like everyone to know that not only did he wear this ensemble for his first day of junior year, but the outfit included matching boxers as well so it'd be complete.
Why would you need matching boxers though?
