Cousins Crop Grandpa Out Of Family Photo. Then They Get A Call From The Editor.

“He just… looks so old,” my cousin whispered, pinching her screen to zoom in on Grandpa. “He’ll ruin the aesthetic.”

My blood ran cold. We had just taken a big family photo to submit for the “Local Family of the Year” contest. Grandpa Arthur was so proud, wearing the new sweater we bought him.

A week later, my cousin posted the photo. I stared at it, my heart sinking. He was gone. They had seamlessly photoshopped him out. “We’re going to win!” her caption read.

This morning, my aunt got the call. She put the editor of the newspaper on speakerphone, beaming. “Yes, we’re so honored!” she gushed.

There was a long pause. “Ma’am,” the editor said slowly. “There seems to be a problem with your submission. We need a solo photograph of the elderly gentleman you removed.”

My aunt scoffed. “Why? The photo is better without him.”