20 Times People Wanted to Feel Nostalgic but Ended up Laughing at Their Childhood Photos
People
09/30/2020

We at Bright Side adore people who are capable of self-depreciation. And 20 of these brave people shared their most outstanding childhood photos.
1. “I cut my own bangs. I was also really afraid of blinking during the photoshoot for some reason.”
2. “When I was 16, I worked part-time in a store with all kinds of musical merchandise. But it seems that I spent more than I earned there.”
3. “Control yourself, ladies! This handsome guy is already taken.”
4. “My sister and I wore these T-shirts in middle school. Yes, we also used to cut our own hair.”
“If you think I’m ugly wait until you see my identical twin...”
5. “It’s the year 1995. I’m 8 years old, but I look like a middle-aged librarian.”
6. “I am 16 in this photo. For some reason, I didn’t doubt my resemblance to Monica Bellucci.”

7. “The year is 1999. We thought we were cool.”
8. “My boyfriend was a rebel in the 10th grade. His mom cried when she received this school picture.”
9. “My friend and I did a photoshoot to convince random people on the internet that we were in a cool band. We had no interest in actually being in a band.”
10. “My friends refer to this picture as the ‘Water Demon.’ And this photo is everything you need to know about my school years.”
11. “I was told to act natural.”
12. “I’m 14 in this photo. I made my mom take this picture, and then I didn’t hesitate to take the film for printing and put this photo in our family album.”

13. “I refused to accept that long hair didn’t suit me.”
14. “This was my first recital. And I truly loved the fringe and sequins.”
15. "My mom found a photo where I’m 18. All I could say was, “Oh my God, what is that creature?”
16. “We lived near a ski resort. The more you skied, the cooler you were considered. As you can imagine, I was the coolest girl in school.”
17. “I graduated from high school in 2009, but it seems I took my prom too seriously.”
18. “4 years of hair blunders!”
19. “I’m 8 or 9 years old, and I’m playing the role of Marie Antoinette. And yes, I’m a guy.”
20. “I’m 6 years old here, but I look like a 40-year-old accountant.”
We bet you also have strange and awkward photos from your childhood or teenage years. We would love to see them.
Preview photo credit stemid85 / reddit
Comments
Get notifications
Related Reads
10 Stories That Prove Sweet Kindness and Compassion Still Lift Up the Loneliest Hearts

People
08/09/2026
10 Moments That Teach Us Why Happiness Always Comes Home in 2026

Family & kids
07/18/2026
10 Acts of Empathy and Compassion From Strangers Who Didn’t Have to Care — But Did

Family & kids
08/12/2026
11 Acts of Kindness That Teach Us a Stranger’s Empathy Is the Purest Form of Happiness in 2026

People
08/06/2026
10 Moments of Love That Prove Compassion and Kindness Are Humanity’s Greatest Superpowers (American Edition 2026)

People
08/15/2026
10 Acts of Kindness That Teach Us Why Compassion Still Shows Up When No One’s Watching

People
09/14/2026
14 Acts of Kindness Teaching Us Compassion and Self-Care Are Still Driving the World Toward Happiness in 2026

People
07/03/2026
15 True Stories That Prove Trusting Your Instincts Can Change Everything, Even When Logic Says Otherwise

Curiosities
07/21/2026
10 Moments That Teach Us Loneliness Still Finds Its Voice When It Matters Most

People
07/19/2026
12 Moments Where Kindness and Compassion Made Lonely Hearts Beat With Happiness Again

People
07/01/2026
15 Times Quiet Compassion Rebuilt a Family After Trust Was Almost Gone in 2026

Family & kids
08/03/2026
10 Real Moments That Prove Compassion Teaches Resilience Before Words Ever Do

Family & kids
07/21/2026

















