A while ago I came across Phojoe, a site offering age progression photos. Some of them are pretty darn spectacular. They admit on the site that the process is really more of an art form, rather than a strict science in the forensic sense. With this in mind, one of the testimonials caught my eye.

My son wanted to be a Professional Baseball Player…Phojoe, I am so pleased with the photo, please go ahead and send them. I can’t express to you what an amazing gift your service is, especially to a grieving parent. You’ve helped to answer one of the many “what if’s” I’ve had since I lost my son. Thank You again, so very much. Gratefully,
Allison P - Jamestown, SC

This quote almost got me a bit choked up. Try reading it when it’s sitting right under the photo of her son, who looks about 5 years old. Now I’ll try and say this next bit without sounding too heartless…

The age progression is basically a fantasy; an artist’s impression of what could have been. While it looks convincing at first glance, if you look closer, the eyes have changed from brown to blue and the nose looks quite different. It’s not a stretch to imagine this as a stock photo, or a composite of stock features. So it puzzles me how such a fabrication has the power to bring relief to a grieving mother. Maybe I don’t get it because I don’t have kids of my own.