to think that if you don't want people taking photos of your child in the school play don't let them be in it!

[2anddone]

Hi I am sure this has been done a hundred times before but I am so pissed off. DS had his school nativity play today and at the start we were told no photos or videoing was allowed. Typically enough it was the first school production where he hasn't cried. They are not filming the play or offering us any other ways to get a 'memory' of the play and the reason given was that 2 parents had requested no photos were allowed. This is not due to religious beliefs it was simply they didn't want other people taking photos of their dc. I know IAPBU but I don't care IMO if you don't want your child photographed in the play collect them early and don't let them be in it! Rant over

[deemented]

Thanks MN!

[Danlukerphotography]

Canyou: i absolutely agree, I have had this before and have said to the parents that I am happy for them to review my images before I leave and if there are any that they are unhappy with that i would be more than happy to delete them immediately there and then.

Christine: apologies if i offended, non was intended.

I wanted to post to share my frustrations, in future I'll leave my webiste alone. Think that I do have plenty to add to this topic though given my profession.

[TheScaryJessie]

Danny boy, a hearty welcome! To my business blacklist.

[TandB]

No, Dan, I don't think you do have "plenty to add to this topic" simply because you are a photographer.

The issue is not the mechanics of taking a photograph - it is the practice and theory of child protection by whatever means is necessary.

[KateMiddlet0n]

What are you on about Kungfu? Did you not see the man is a photographer?!

Now, Dan, tell me. At what point in your photography studies did you cover child protection, domestic violence and witness protection schemes? Did they do a whole module on it at college?

You'll have to forgive my ignorance Dan, because all the photographers I know just do photography so I really don't know about this special photography you do.

[TandB]

[hangs head in shame]

Sorry, Kate. I forgot about all those emergency situations where someone screams "For the love of God, is there a photographer in the room?" and the said photographer rushes in and saves the day with his special skills.

Sorry, Dan.

[KateMiddlet0n]

[Ihavewelliesbutitssunny]

Dan if you really want to discuss photography go elsewhere on the site and/or start your own thread. What you are posting here isn't really appropriate for this thread. Also you could maybe pay for advertising on mn if that is what you want.

[VeronicaSpeedwell]

EVERYONE STAND BACK.

[KateMiddlet0n]

IS THERE A PHOTOGRAPHER IN THE HOUSE?

[KateMiddlet0n]

QUICK, GET THIS MAN A PHOTOGRAPHER!! FOR THE LOVE OF POSTERITY!

[Pendeen]

YANBU

The whole business is PC-crazy.

[annaklingon]

So, Pendeen, you have read the whole thread and read the harrowing accounts posted by MNetters where they were found and raped and beaten for 2 days as an example, where they had broken windows, kids snatched, purely on the grounds of a photo being put in the public domain, and you think it's PC-crazy?

Words fail me.

[niceguy2]

I see I'm getting the usual insults and being accused of not getting it, selfish and worse.

All I'm arguing for is balance. If it were me and there was such a perceived risk that someone with a camera might take a photo and that was so unacceptable then surely the logical thing to do is withdraw my child? Rather that than risk them getting photographed??

Firstly that removes the risk completely rather than in effect just lowering the risk by getting camera's banned but you can't guarantee no-one's snuck one in can you?

Secondly surely I have to consider others as well since I am part of the community. Surely as a sensible and considerate member of the community I should consider the enjoyment of other families and respect their wish to get a photo of their child whilst they are young. Why should they ALL miss out because of my personal but tragic circumstances?

I'm not an ogre and if asked I would respect another families wishes. But that would be my personal decision. What I'm saying is that introducing a blanket ban is a case of the tail wagging the dog.

[KateMiddlet0n]

Yes, yes you're quite right niceguy. What you want is more important. YOU are more important.

Let's exclude anyone who is different to you. Let's exclude anyone who is suffering and has misfortune. And let's keep excluding until there's only you left, or until something happens and it's you that get's excluded.

[bemybebe]

my parents did not own a car and it didn't damage me in the slightest, however, if anybody suggested blanket ban on driving because tens of thousands get killed or injured on British roads every year I would argue it impractical and unnecessary

[Pendeen]

Not al, but enough and how often does that happen. There are always exceptions.

PC-crazy it is.

[JamieComeHome]

niceguy - I am pretty sure we debated this very thing about a year ago. You don't seem to have thought about it any more deeply since then

[JamieComeHome]

you aren't an ogre but I wonder if you aren't able to put yourself in the shoes of a small child

[Ihavewelliesbutitssunny]

nastyguy1 stop being so silly. Not having photos taken does not spoil a parent's enjoyment of the play. Pendeen you are silly also. Now why don't you both run along and make a thread together instead of bothering people here, bye

[JamieComeHome]

Every time some amateur photgrapher blocks my view of a play or concert I feel my Human Rights have been violated ....

[MrsHoarder]

niceguy2 but that means you are excluding children who may well have already had a traumatic time from partipating. These are the children who need the positive time of joining in with extra-curicular activities the most.

Can't you see how this is more unfair than you not getting to take a photo during the play? You can still take one of your DC one their own at another time.

[VeronicaSpeedwell]

Hmm, let me see:

The feelings of a 5 yr old child, who has constantly moved house, away from friends and familiar places, who wants to be in their first ever performance at their place of full-time education, in which all their friends are appearing, who will all be watched by their parents

vs.

the disgruntlement of an adult man who feels his album is not complete if there isn't a photo of his child actually on stage at school, at this one particular event, to go with all the other photos he can take of his DC all the rest of the whole bloody time, if he so wishes.

No, somehow I am not persuaded that we were missing a crucial perspective on this debate.

[OhDoAdmitMrsDeVere]

I think its a bit pointless.
If people are still whinging and calling PC gorn mand (yawn) after reading the thread.
There is no hope.
Unless something happens to them.
That is the only thing that will change their mind.

As I would not wish misfortune on anyone (bar a few people not on this thread) I cannot hope that this will happen.
So they will just continue to think their right to take photos is more important than anything else.