to not think this is weird - re: photographing children

[LittleLisa78]

There is a local photographer I want to use to get some pics of DD. She's a bit different in that she asks that the child(Ren) are dropped off and left by their parents for an hour or so as she believes she can get more natural pictures without the parents watching. She is great with kids and I love her work but DP thinks it's a bit weird that she wants the children alone. She only photographs children aged 3+ in that way and is of course CRB checked. AIBU to think it isn't weird and DP is too suspicious?

It's weird.

I can understand the reason why but I wouldn't do it, not just for suspicions but because my children may get upset at being left at a random strangers house and I would want to suggest poses, encourage them to laugh etc. so wouldn't be for me.

I'm with your DP on this one.

If she wanted me to leave my 3 yr old DD with her, she would get a lovely natural shot of her...crying for me!

I'd find it weird - children react most to their parents, and there's always that big grin that you know you can get when you do whatever silly thing they love which the photographer will probably struggle to get, or at least to capture as easily.

CRB check simply means someone hasn't been caught doing something. Now I am not for a second saying that there is something wrong but please don't feel that CRB = safe.

I think leaving any stranger alone with a 3 year old is a bit weird really.

I wouldn't find it odd if she had a waiting room, but who really wants someones 3yo needing a nappy change or wanting the loo?

I can just about understand asking parents to wait in a waiting room or sit behind a screen or something. But I would struggle with leaving my child alone at that age.

Regardless of anything else, a CRB check it only valid from the moment the service prints it off. And it means they haven't been convicted of an offence at the time of printing/checking. I wouldn't use that as a 'tick' (for want of a better word)

But obviously parents with children they know wouldn't be comfortable with it would get a different photographer. She is very good with kids, they are much more Smiley in her photos than standard posed photos

I'm with your DP.

It's weird that she has this opinion of all children before meeting them. Some children will be the opposite of what she suggests. She should offer a waiting room.

These pictures are obviously the way to get completely natural toddler photos without a mother in sight .

So go and hide behind a screen.

But I wouldn't use anyone who had either so little sense, or some ulterior motive.

Sirzy - it's no different to using childcare though really is it?

Not weird at all - children are different when their parents aren't around and it's lovely to capture that.

YABU. I'd not be happy with this, fine in a different room, but having to drop the children off - is that really necessary?
It's unlikely that there is a sinister reason behind it, just seems a bit odd to me.

Yes, it is different to childcare as your child is not alone with a stranger with a camera in a childcare setting.

With childcare are you leaving your child alone with a stranger straight away? Does she have settling in sessions? Clear policies on caring for the children? regulated by ofsted?

I prefer nurseries because there are more than one adult around anyway but at least with Childminders they are well regulated.

Ask her about her safeguarding policy. I bet money she a) doesn't know what that means or b) doesn't have one

Soupdragon - a Childminder is exactly what you describe. She does have the option of a waiting room

Very weird!

Soupdragon - a Childminder is exactly what you describe

No it isn't.

LittleLisa, are you the photographer?

Why are you defending this so much?

Without the parents watching - i.e. in the room next door or behind a screen... fine.

Dropping a 3 year old off at a stranger with a camera's place and coming back an hour later... Not a fucking chance.