I had never noticed how staged even “natural” looking holiday photos are until we unpacked it all during our lectorial. The photo of a man literally throwing a boy into a sparkling pool at a resort had many deliberate conventions. For example the calming palette of creams blues and greens created a sophisticated luxury feel which was enhanced by the stereotypical palm trees which generally signify tropical bliss. Words to the right of the page from sponsors used pronouns like “you” indicating that they were selling a lifestyle and identity to us. We should want to be the mid 30s male with a chiseled jaw, carefree in a fancy resort. All we need to do is buy that particular shirt.The more we discussed it the more unnatural and theatrical it seemed.

It is interesting how there are so many social conventions that we don’t think about. Another one I thought of is how if you see a male and female walking together (say on the beach) they must be in a romantic relationship. I have fooled many people this way as my best friend is a guy, we’ve learned to just laugh it off when a sales assistant urges him to be a good boyfriend and buy me whatever thing they are selling.