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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to be annoyed that my Dc's school have banned me from taking photographs?

54 replies

TheColourMyrtle · 17/11/2015 18:36

I was so humiliated today-

A bit of history- I have a degree in photography from donkeys years ago and over the past ten years I have been taking photos of all my dc and their classmates. This has never gone wrong- I have abided by all the correct practises and restrictions. The school have been delighted to have professional photos and I have never charged them a penny as Ive been so grateful for the access and permission. This has NEVER been a problem until now. A new parent who's child is in reception year didn't get any photos of her child (Its a lottery sometimes as to whether children have their photos taken or not- some do not cooperate some are too shy etc, some take a while to build up trust over the months) she made a snidey remark to another parent and I stood up to her.
This parent has made a complaint about me and as result I turn up today to photograph the children and am told I no longer have permission because a complaint has been made (by her)
I had to sit there the whole assembly whilst other parents filmed and snapped on their phones. WTAF.

I am fuming.

The school has a social media presence/website etc. I do all the class and individual photos too- gratis

Quite a few fellow parents are raging about it (of course, they didn't get their shots and made complaints to the school)

Thank you.

NC, apologies I should have said to begin with.

OP posts:

PurpleGreenAvocado · 17/11/2015 19:09

I wonder if part of the problem is that you put the photos on social media? Most schools don't allow this.

caitlinohara · 17/11/2015 19:10

Hmm. This all sounds a bit odd to me. I think there must be more to it.

SouthWestmom · 17/11/2015 19:11

Tell me how it works?

The school ask you to take photos at school events for stuff like newsletters and websites and someone's kid wasn't in any and was cross? She moaned to a friend in front of you and you responded to her?

mrsmilktray · 17/11/2015 19:12

You weren't standing up to her though, as she didn't direct her comment at you. Why was she not allowed an opinion?

Katiekatiekatie · 17/11/2015 19:14

That's a ridiculous action for the school to take. She wasn't complaining about your photos, she was complaining that her dd was not in the photos. So the school thinks you have decided who to take photos of?? And now you're not allowed to even take photos of your own kids?

Sorry if this sounds harsh but perhaps they as using this as a chance to get rid of you??

CreepingDogFart · 17/11/2015 19:14

OP if I've understood correctly (and I'm sleep deprived so may have got this wrong- apologies if so), you take all the children's photographs in school for their annual school photo?

This must save every parent in school a fortune when you add it all up over the course of their child's primary career.

If that is the case, I'd tell a few parents who you're friendly with exactly what's happened and that you now won't be able to take the annual photographs so to watch out for a price increase when they have to hire someone in and pay them for their time.

That will spread like a leaking tap.

And guess which brand new parent won't be flavour of the month?

The school will also kick themselves.

Specifically who told you you weren't allowed? If it wasn't the head it's worth them being notified. Either they will be fuming OR their reaction will tell you if there's a deeper issue that you're not being informed of.

And YANBU.

Katiekatiekatie · 17/11/2015 19:18

300 years? Pamphlets? Is it private?

Katiekatiekatie · 17/11/2015 19:19

I'd be pretty glad if dc were left off pamphlets why is she so cross??

camtt · 17/11/2015 19:20

well that seems like a strange way to deal with a complaint. Wouldn't the school normally conduct some kind of investigation into the complaint, to include hearing the other side of the story? This would be the fair way to deal with a complaint because otherwise the school presumably makes a decision based only on partial information. You are both parents and I would expect you both to be afforded the same courtesy of having your point of view listened to. In fact, if I were you, I might be making a complaint myself!

Witchend · 17/11/2015 19:20

I wonder if actually she has a point.

I remember dd1's leaving do. 150 children in the year. Three parent photographers. 600 photos... 400 of which had child A in the centre.
They went child A with friend B; child A with friend C, child A with children B and C. Photo taken from behind with them looking over the shoulder of child A with children B and C... Etc.
Heck, even the big everyone photo had child A in the middle and everyone posed round pointing at her.

Guess whose dad was one of the photographers?

I personally thought it was disgraceful. Teachers and PTA were apologising all round as many children hadn't made a single photo.
They don't let parents do that now.

Original poster

TheColourMyrtle · 17/11/2015 19:21

Forgot to add that the previous photographer was not liked (his work wasn't) by the parents so they got rid of him for me- as parents said they preferred the natural ones anyway.

OP posts:

Original poster

TheColourMyrtle · 17/11/2015 19:23

Witchend- my children have been featured about once each. A lot of it is complete lottery and they have a committee that decides which ones will be used for big things such as prospectuses/local newspapers etc.

OP posts:

Original poster

TheColourMyrtle · 17/11/2015 19:24

Purplegreen- I don't put the photos on social media personally
There are forms for parents to opt out and some have- there are also restrictions for other children also which are adhered to.

OP posts:

lougle · 17/11/2015 19:26

It isn't complete lottery. You choose who you photograph. You may choose fairly, but unless you have raffle tickets in a hat and draw out names of children to photograph, it's not a lottery.

Original poster

TheColourMyrtle · 17/11/2015 19:26

Katie- that's fine don't worry. Yes maybe I am actually crap and they cannot bring themselves to tell me.

OP posts:

OldBeanbagz · 17/11/2015 19:29

Please tell me you're not at a school with a new head!

I photograph at my childrens' school and never charge for my time or materials. I totally know where you're coming from about parents complaining but i try not to engage with them directly.

If you want to be awkward you could remove permission for the school to use your photos on their website/social media/marketing. After all they are still copyright to you.

Original poster

TheColourMyrtle · 17/11/2015 19:29

Lougle `I disagree I go around in the course of a day sometimes, I take my time and photograph whoever I can, I don't have favoured children- if a child chooses to turn their back to me or puts their hands in front of their faces I will not tell them not to do it- it's not what I do, if they don't want to be photographed I will not push it.

Yes sometimes they have drawn tickets to see which photo gets chosen. Yep.

OP posts:

Original poster

TheColourMyrtle · 17/11/2015 19:33

MrsMilkTray she did direct her comment at both of us, she happens to be friendly with my friend- she was rude and implied that another kid was not as good looking as hers-
She had no idea of the range of pics that the school have used. I'm entitled to have an opinion too and defend stuff I have done.

OP posts:

mrsmilktray · 17/11/2015 19:36

Sorry I must have read incorrectly - I thought that she didn't know that you were the photographer when she made the comment.

Senpai · 17/11/2015 19:40

Me personally? I'd ignore, and if they tried to say something I'd cry discrimination. Either everyone is allowed to take photos, or no one is. None of this arbitrary favoritism.

Original poster

TheColourMyrtle · 17/11/2015 19:43

Senpai, that's what a couple of the dads said- one offered to use my camera. I could get a day off. Winning

OP posts:

theycallmemellojello · 17/11/2015 19:44

How often do you take these photos of the DC? Sounds like it is more regularly than the annual official school photos. If so, tbh I'd not be comfortable with this myself.

bobsalong · 17/11/2015 19:46

I'm not sure I fully understand the situation, maybe I've missed something.

If it was me, I'd be unsure of another parent coming in and taking photographs of children when they hadn't been booked by the school. Surely it would be better for them to be officially booked, otherwise they could not only be quite biased in who they photograph, but also you don't know what they're doing with the photos? At least if it's arranged properly the school has it's back covered.

Namechangenell · 17/11/2015 19:46

Agree with a PP - if the school don't want you, despite everything you say you've done, remove permission for them to use your stuff in future. Good luck to them, creating new brochures and so on for free...

Original poster

TheColourMyrtle · 17/11/2015 19:48

The school have always asked- I've not asked if you see what I mean.

"Butterflies are doing a trip to XYZ for their topic can you take photos please?"
That kind thing.

I think I'll start concentrating on other things and perhaps this was the best thing that could have happened and I can kick start my business rather than volunteer for free and work. The parents can pay for their photos like everyone else does.

OP posts:

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