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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to not want to buy a school photo?

43 replies

EllieG · 19/03/2008 20:53

DSD bought the proofs home today - they are OK, nice enough, but very expensive and frankly, we have far nicer photos of her. I really object to paying for something quite bog standard - dull and posed though technically fine.

My problem is - I feel hugely guilty - not having done this before - is this a thing parents have to buy or they are awful bad parents who will be tutted about in the staff room? I just can't see the point of them and think they are a bit of a waste of money. Our nearest and dearest can have photos of her anytime, we have a great digital camera and printer, and we have loads of lovely ones.

OP posts:
Original poster
EllieG · 19/03/2008 21:52

DP doesn't feel guilty at all and just says, oh they're a big con I ain't getting one, or words to that effect. Her mum died 3 years ago so can't buy one.
I think I might be over-worrying. I over-worry about DSD feeling insecure a lot as a rule, but she very rarely is.
I think I will print out the latest photos from camera this weekend and show them to her and put them in our album instead. She'll be pleased with that.

OP posts:
SlartyBartFast · 19/03/2008 21:59

i wouldnt say most people buy them.
and school wouldnt really know or judge.

dh hates buying them, he always reckons he can take better photos himself. (if only he had a tripod).... he can but hasnt for a while ..

SlartyBartFast · 19/03/2008 22:00

we never get whole class ones

procrastinatingparent · 19/03/2008 22:10

I can't bring myself to buy them because often when a child goes missing or is killed, they use the latest school photo on the news and so just seeing my DC against that background in their school uniform gives me the creeps.

soopermum1 · 19/03/2008 22:11

i always buy the photo because they are always so much better than i could manage. how they get DS to sit still enough, pose and smile, all at the same time, i have no idea, and that is worth it's weight in gold to me

Flibbertyjibbet · 19/03/2008 22:12

I only bought last years nursery photo as it was the first time all year that both my boys had been looking at the camera at the same time!
Not a particularly good pic but I got umpteen copies for everyone for £70 quid so it was good value xmas pressies all round with some cheap frames from TK Maxx

HappyMummyOfOne · 19/03/2008 22:37

DS is only in reception so only one school photo so far and it was fab, captured him to a T so i bought the set lol. Very reasonable price and you could have it sent to a mobile or buy the rights to the pics as well so a good choice for parents.

Preschool only had the group one but it will be nice to look back on as all the children are now in school together.

Unless it was a really bad pic, I dont think I would not buy them but its personal choice.

heronsfly · 19/03/2008 22:42

I sometimes buy the class ones,have bought the key ring/fridge magnet ones but never a big set as you say, very expensive and not really that wonderful,ours now come first as tiny little example prints if you dont want them you just keep that,I dont think the teachers take any notice at all.

Mrspanic · 19/03/2008 22:52

My dd's and ds3's schools have changed to a new supplier whereby they have a digital image or 2 stored and you decide after the event whther or not to buy. it is cheaper and more anonymous this way - I agree a lot of school pics are really BAD but in some ways this is part of the charm..however this digital route allows one not to buy AND to avoid the shame of being seen not to...

Clary · 20/03/2008 01:20

I lurve the whole class ones but yes, remember to write the names.

I was looking at DS1's FS2 pic t'other day and some people have since left. He couldn't remember their names! (and neither could I )

But no, if the individual pic isn't good I don't bother. Didn't buy Ds1's last year as he looked so grim (bless him, he's lovely really)

boredveryverybored · 20/03/2008 01:40

My dd is in yr2 now and I havn't bought one yet they've all been really dull and bad pics and definitely not worth the money. If they had taken a whole class one I would buy them but we don't get them

nappyaddict · 20/03/2008 02:43

do people really not have photos up of their dc?

tripletsandtwins · 20/03/2008 02:49

I personally buy a whole class one for my triplets (they're at nursery) but not individual ones because they're so expensive and they're not usually very good - they hate having their photos taken and will cry if they have to, so we have to get really candid photos of them instead .

I don't think it's anything you should feel guilty about not buying, your reasons are very valid

SueW · 20/03/2008 06:24

We didn't buy the individual one this year but we paid £15 for a sitting with a local photographer which included a 10x8 print which was lovely.

They didn't do a class one last year I hope they do this year, especially as it's Y6.

ScienceTeacher · 20/03/2008 06:30

The only photos I have bought in recent years have been the ones of the whole school.

I stopped buying individual photos after the first couple of years - they do just end up in drawers.

FairyMum · 20/03/2008 06:39

I think you should definatly buy the class ones. They will be fun for her in years to come.

emj23 · 20/03/2008 09:52

I only buy the individual ones. I'd probably buy a class one if it was DS's last year of school and he wanted to remember everyone in years to come, but I don't see the point otherwise. Also, his school have recently changed the photographers they use and the price has doubled. That puts me off rather a lot too.

mumeeee · 20/03/2008 10:16

It's up to you we]if you buy the photo or not. No one will mind what you do.

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