Portraits.

[BGLW]

So, I haven't been on in awhile. Sorry everyone ^^" life's been kind of overwhelming. I don't know if I'm asking this question in the right board, please correct me if I'm wrong. My senior portraits for school are coming up early next month and since I'm doing it with the services the school provides, they give the options of a "drape" photo for female students and a tuxedo photo for male students. I've never been through the process before, but I most definitely do not want to do a drape portrait, especially if it goes into the yearbook.

Now, the appointment card says to bring a  plain white shirt for tuxedo pictures, which I don't exactly have (closest thing is a white shirt with pinstripes.) And also I know that when it's my appointment, they're going to see my info and I have no clue how to change the fact that my school has me registered as "female". Can I ask for a tuxedo picture instead of a drape picture? Do laws protect my rights involving that? Surely someone else has had to go through this process. I'd like some opinions and advice, please. My anxiety isn't helping, and I've had it on my mind for awhile. x_x"

I can clarify if some of this doesn't make sense. 

[devention]

It can't hurt to ask. If they won't, seek an administrator to back you up, if you can. If no one will, see if any of your friends with decent cameras (perhaps who have taken a photography course, if your school offers them) would take one. There are plenty of images in a google search if you need inspiration for one.
If you have a number for the studio or teacher/administrator who does the portraits, I'd call them up and ask. It's worth a shot.

[Nygeel]

Although this isn't exactly the same as your situation, it's similar: http://www.sfexaminer.com/sanfrancisco/sacred-heart-cathedral-prep-issues-apology-will-include-photo-of-girl-wearing-a-tux-in-yearbook/Content?oid=2803478

Basically, a female student wore the tux and there was an issue but the school decided to leave the picture in. I say just do it. Wear a plain white shirt (you could probably buy a pack of white undershirts that would do the trick).

[Declan.]

They can't tranquilize you and force you to wear something else. Go in with the mindset of "everything I do is my choice" and you'll have an easier time. Do you go to a religious school?

[BGLW]

Thanks for the input everybody (': I'll definitely see if I can call and ask about it, and if I don't get the chance I will just get the proper shirt and go to the appointment and ask there, in which case I'll likely ask my school counselor to back me up. I'm not in a religious school, but I'm in southern USA (Georgia) and you really don't know what you're getting when you bring "certain" stuff up. My school faculty seems pretty accepting though. Maybe like I said, I can get my counselor to help.

[JayDawg]

Yes, definitely talk to your counselor and consider coming out to them if you haven't already, and explain your anxiety over the school pictures.

Could you borrow a white shirt from someone? If not, Walmart sells them pretty cheap - white dress shirts and button-down collar oxfords.

Also sending you a PM.

-Jay

[BGLW]

I've already come out to my counselor, so hopefully it won't be so hard to discuss with her. As for the shirt, we're going to go and find one for cheap pretty soon hopefully. Fingers crossed that I can get my picture taken the correct way!

[Amadeus]

I'm not in a religious school, but I'm in southern USA (Georgia) and you really don't know what you're getting when you bring "certain" stuff up.

Georgia.  Wow.  I totally feel for you, mate.  I'm stuck in Atlanta at the moment, having escaped rural northeast Georgia.  Seriously, I lived just half an hour from where they filmed Deliverance back in 1971.  If I heard banjos, I ran.

Definitely speak to your counsellor and don't be afraid to push this if the photographers or staff give you any rubbish.  These are your photos, too.  You want your friends to remember you as you truly are.  As for a white shirt, go pop some tags at a thrift shop.  Seriously.  You can find some really great clothes at thrift shops for just a few dollars.  If you can get to Atlanta and go into the Lost 'N' Found Thrift Shop, you'll find REALLY nice stuff there.  [The proceeds benefit Lost 'N' Found Youth, which helps homeless LGBT kids in Atlanta.]

[BGLW]

Georgia.  Wow.  I totally feel for you, mate.  I'm stuck in Atlanta at the moment, having escaped rural northeast Georgia.  Seriously, I lived just half an hour from where they filmed Deliverance back in 1971.  If I heard banjos, I ran.

Definitely speak to your counsellor and don't be afraid to push this if the photographers or staff give you any rubbish.  These are your photos, too.  You want your friends to remember you as you truly are.  As for a white shirt, go pop some tags at a thrift shop.  Seriously.  You can find some really great clothes at thrift shops for just a few dollars.  If you can get to Atlanta and go into the Lost 'N' Found Thrift Shop, you'll find REALLY nice stuff there.  [The proceeds benefit Lost 'N' Found Youth, which helps homeless LGBT kids in Atlanta.]

Haha, I don't know if I'm doing better or worse than I would have if I hadn't come here; I moved from northeast Texas. In retrospect, it likely is for at least some betterment. Sadly I'm a ways from Atlanta, but we can either find a good thrift shop around here or go into Athens. I've gotten good deals on nice shoes (talking $100 shoes for $7) at one of the local places, so a shirt may not be so difficult. If I move near Atlanta any time soon, I'll definitely keep the Lost N' Found in mind!

[Alexthecat]

Least you won't have a really huge girly senior picture like I do and my mom just loves to have it hang on the mantle and carry it in the clear outside pocket of her purse.

[Blue Senpai]

Least you won't have a really huge girly senior picture like I do and my mom just loves to have it hang on the mantle and carry it in the clear outside pocket of her purse.

Oh god. I can still see my high school picture on the wall and I die a little inside every time I walk past it.

[BGLW]

Least you won't have a really huge girly senior picture like I do and my mom just loves to have it hang on the mantle and carry it in the clear outside pocket of her purse.

Ouch. That's not okay sounds like something my mom would do. If that happened to me I'd probably steal all the pictures and hide them in an impossible place haha (Not that I'm advocating mischief x_x not the best idea). Hang in there. Maybe you can get her to realise you don't like it one day (and not do it).

[aleon515]

Yes, definitely talk to your counselor and consider coming out to them if you haven't already, and explain your anxiety over the school pictures.

Could you borrow a white shirt from someone? If not, Walmart sells them pretty cheap - white dress shirts and button-down collar oxfords.

Also sending you a PM.

-Jay

They actually make such shirts for girls. The only way you can know is if the buttons are on the right or left side. I actually used to get these when I was younger (and actually had one in my closet before I transitioned). It's a really good idea. I would doubt they would be able to make a big deal of this. Yes these are called "Oxfords". They are very popular shirts so pretty likely to have in a thrift shop.


--another JAY  (great minds and so on)