By Heather McNeill
Perth woman Alison Bunting was feeling fabulous in her new designer jumpsuit on New Year's Eve when she was stirred to indulge in a Vogue-inspired photoshoot by the pool.
Only problem was, her husband Jock, who she joked is "notoriously not interested in photography" managed to take her steely pose and frame it perfectly around a light post in the background.
Alison Bunting's Vogue-inspired photoshoot on the left and on the right, Michael Jackson and Harambe make an appearance.Credit: Facebook
Knowing better than to pester him to take another shot, the 43-year-old instead turned to the internet to help make the finishing touches on the picture – asking those gifted in the art of Photoshop to make the faux pas disappear.
Although she expected to attract a few pranksters with her request, the response from members on the Perth Have A Whinge Facebook page was more than she bargained for.
Ms Bunting replacing Kate Winslet in Titanic, and sharing the now infamous lightpole with Gene Kelly. Credit: Facebook
Dozens of strangers took creative liberty on the picture, often removing the pole, but then adding or altering another section of the photograph.
"I was hoping someone would do a nice shot, but I also knew what was coming and I just thought, 'Oh look I'll have a bit of a laugh'," Ms Bunting said.
"There's been some really beautiful ones come in and obviously some really silly ones, I think my favourite is the gorilla and Michael Jackson, it's so bizarre."
Some people who wanted to help Ms Bunting complete her glamour shot even went an extra step and removed pool equipment in the background of the photo as well as the light post.
But despite having a laugh at the creativity of strangers, Ms Bunting said her post had also sparked a more serious conversation after some users 'fat-shamed' her.
"I think one of my big things about social media is it's really easy to be really nasty online, and the good thing was that lots of people came to my defence," she said.
"I'm confident about how I look, people come in all different shapes and sizes."
Most social media commentators agreed, with dozens coming to her defence after one man made derogatory comments about her body size.
He was later banned from the page for his comments but not before copping a spray from disgusted fellow members.
"You're a d*ckhead! She looks amazing," wrote one woman.
"You look fantastic," wrote another.
Ms Bunting said she had been overwhelmed by the support she had received and would have no qualms taking to the internet again for more photography help.