This is so the truth! I wonder why that is? I have always noticed this phenomenon and been intrigued by it.

Perhaps it is to with the photo going outside the range of our current self image so our hang ups don't apply anymore. That would imply that it is possible for us to like a photo as much now as we will do in time and that other people who see the picture will see it's good side right from the start. I find that quite comforting.

Now I think about it, that phenomenon is a pretty good indication that we are being hard on ourselves with our self image - that our self image is not in alignment with how we actually look. That might seem obvious but still an important thing to remember, and I would imagine applies to the majority of the population at least to some extent.