Newspaper taking photos of children at school then selling them to parents

[Palinto]

When DS started school I ticked the box which said I didn't mind him having his photo taken, assuming this would be for school related things.

A term in and a photo of their first day at school is published in our cities newspaper, which we can then buy from them.... I felt a bit about this but obviously didn't want to not buy a picture of my DS on his first day at school.. I was then charged £7 plus £2 postage for a rubbish quality tiny print.

It reminds me of being in Morocco and getting followed by guys with cameras who would then try to sell you the pictures they took, i.e. not entirely appropriate for an infant school. I wouldn't mind so much buying a photo from the actual school, but the newspaper?

AIBU to be annoyed at this?

[ihearsounds]

I have never heard of this before. No paps outside school gates on the first day, flashing their cameras as people walking in.. Always taken my own pics, just like countless other parents.

The consent form depends on the wording used. If outside agencies used then something should reflect this in the wording. If not this seriously needs adressing. Not everyone wants the entire area knowing where thier children go to school because of safety issues involving dv.

[SamSmalaidh]

Usually the consent forms cover photos being taken by local newspapers - this happens a lot at school events etc. Children whose picture cannot be taken are known to staff and removed from photo opportunities.

[StuntGirl]

You should have checked what the consent actually meant rather than assuming. It's neither the school nor the newspapers fault you assumed a different definition. I expect you can remove your consent now if you so wish, then he won't be marketing anyone's papers in future.

You also didn't have to buy the picture at all.

YABU.

[jessjessjess]

I really doubt the school takes a cut.

I would have excitedly kept the paper and not given it much more thought.

[Finney2]

I am a reporter. Last year we didn't do the first class photos as we had a shortage of photographers. We have never had so many phone calls fron parents who were angry their children hadn't appeared in the paper. Every year we get dozens of people ringing asking what edition the photos are going in.

Organising the first class photos is actually a massive hassle and most papers would love not to do it. They do it because people want them to do it. Papers really don't make much money at all from photo sales. It's a professional photo for seven quid. If you don't want it, don't buy it.

If you don't want your child to be in the paper again I suggest you withdraw consent.

[MsElisaDay]

I second absolutely everything Finney says. The class photos are second only to a bonny baby competition in terms of a newsroom's organisational nightmares, but papers do them because parents want them.
OP, if you hadn't wanted your son to be in the paper, perhaps you should've read the consent form before signing it, or sought clarification as to what it was for.

Papers also make very, very little money from photo sales, as Finney points out. We are not talking about a global conglomerate making millions from poor unsuspecting parents here. If you're quibbling about the £7 or whatever, the only person you have to blame is yourself. Nobody forced you to buy the picture!

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes]

Finney - do you see a rise in sales that week? I always buy three copies of the local paper anytime the DCs are in and send them to the grandparents, it has occurred to me that if a lot of people did it on the class photo week it would be a big boost. Unfortunately that's only one week of the year though.

[mumagain38]

Agrees with ihear the wording definitely should say there would be outside sources too, if not it is misleading. I would assume too it would just be the school that would take pictures not a bloody newspapers. I would be annoyed and go in to the school and with draw the consent form. It should have had list of organisations that would access to to ur children. AND no i wouldnt want a picture of my child floating around the internet for all enternity for every creep and weirdo to see, jesus!The thought makes me shudder. Parents beware!

[ubik]

mumagain - you sound just a touch paranoid...

[ubik]

and frankly the private photographer who takes the school pix also makes money,,,and has rights to use the photo however they wish as they own the copyright.

i was a news editor for a local newspaper group and we dropped reception pix as they were such a PITA

[Iwantacampervan]

I did what everyone else does and bought extra copies of the paper to send to grandparents. The only thing we knew about buying prints was reading the bit in the paper itself.
I don't know where the idea of photographers at the school gates has come from - they are organised group shots (no individual names of pupils) taken normally in the first few weeks rather than the first day.

[elliejjtiny]

I just kept the paper of DS1 and DS2's photos. Was tempted to buy the print of DS1's but glad I didn't when it was DS2's turn. I bought the paper and the photo was of 15 smiling children and DS2 scowling! There are 23 children in his class, apparantly one mum didn't tick the box and the others refused point blank to be in it. They have their proper class photo next month, hopefully that will produce a better result.

[shesariver]

AND no i wouldnt want a picture of my child floating around the internet for all enternity for every creep and weirdo to see, jesus!The thought makes me shudder. Parents beware!

Parents beware - oh get a grip!

I agree with ubik that you sound a lot paranoid! At what point anywhere does it say the photos have been put on the internet? And even if some random paedophile (because thats obviously what you are getting at) see a photo of your child on the internet - what exactly are you worried about then?

[mumagain38]

ubik totally not paranoid at all. I did a child protection IT course, it was an eye opener. Would you go around pasting pics of ur children in town, bus stops,shop windows , would you allow ur child to be photo graphed in there swimming costume? or should you ask ur school about that too, or would u assume thats one step too far??? ... its every ones personal choice. Just because people have a different opinion dosnt mean its wrong -- different strokes for different folks.

[HoratiaWinwood]

But he isn't in his swimming costume. He's fully clothed. He's as visible to weirdos and perverts as he is walking to school, or at the supermarket, or at the railway station.

Someone who gets their kicks from looking at fully clothed children isn't assisted by full class photos in the Clenchville Chronicle.

[ubik]

sigh

it is a class photo FGS

[mumagain38]

oh dear here goes the childish name calling! when a pic goes in paper it normally goes 'live', do u understand what that means shesariver have u ever read an on line article?? and no i wouldnt want a 'random paedophile' seeing my daughter. clearing u dont mind -grim. I did a case study where peodophile groomers 'stole ' pictures of children to make fake social accounts to contact other children - so yes quite worrying. Any way this isnt what the thread is about, the parents should have been forwarned that any pictures could be out sourced so they they could have a choice in the matter.

[2rebecca]

This is normal. My kids have been photographed at school, at swimming lessons, sledging in the park in cold spells, competing in sporting events. They take the photos because it makes news not principally to sell photos. if you don't want to buy the photo don't. My kids loved being in the local paper. I just bought the paper as they are usually cheaper than photos and more interesting to look back on than yet another photo.

[Sirzy]

If people wanted photos of fully dressed children they would walk down any high street with their phone. Unless their are other child protection risks (adoption, domestic violence etc) then the chances of a child coming to harm from a photo in a paper are slim. If a parent is really paranoid about this then they shouldn't give permission for a picture to be taken.

WRT the photos of reception classes our local paper does it every year and its lovely to see the little ones looking so smart and happy. I would be annoyed if DS school didn't do them when he starts!

[mumagain38]

swimming lessons 2rebbecca pics wow ? how did u manage that as there is no way a swimming center manager would allow that and i know that for a fact! Have a stroll down to ur nearest lesuire center and ask if u can take pic there hun and see what the answer is. AND i no they wasnt in there swimming cossies but where do the schools draw the line?? AND yes kids get seen by perverts every day - what im getting at is that is up to the parents to decide where there childs picture goes -- if ur happy with them going in paper and where ever then fine but its the parents choice no one elses. it seriously isnt about buying the friggin photos lol

[mumagain38]

sirzy u are absolutly right about the child protection for special circumstances and that why the parents ultimatly need to be asked and yep the chances are slim -- but who are the schools to take that chance?

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes]

We're allowed to take photos at swimming lessons provided all the other parents (max 4 in a class and we're all on poolside) agree.

[Sirzy]

But she was asked, she gave consent. If she had doubt she should have asked for further clarification.

[2rebecca]

My kids are now teenagers and it was over10 years ago, but it was when they had mother and toddler lessons. The parents knew the photo was taken and all of us were happy with it. My kids have had photos done when in gymnastics displays as well and in cross country races and in hockey kit, parents sign a consent form. It's just kids doing sport. It's sad so many people are hung up about this.

[mumagain38]

Ok so u ALL agreed (very strange? did u sign a disclaimer too? )so u all knew what was happening. The O.P didnt. why should she ask if she had no idea, i wouldnt ask as ive never heard of it.