to want a photo of DS and me together?

[youcannotbeserious]

DS is now 9 weeks old and I still don't have one photo of he and I together.

I had some taken in the hospital but the company who took them (ImageThirst - let them bl*dy sue me) were bggers and pretty much refused to let me see the photos unless I had more taken (obviously too worried that I might really just take the freebie)

I'm on my own all week and am taking loads of (lovely, wonderful) photos of DS.

At weekends, I take then of DS adn DH (though DH isn't too keen on this). I also have photos of DS with DSD1, DSD2, DDog, my mother, my father, my sister, my BIL.... But not me.

I have suggested a photographer, but DH thinks it's too expensive and not neccessary. (I don't work, he does, so it's his money not mine!)

But, DS is nearly 10 weeks old now and I still don't have one even half decent photo of us together (Only ones have been taken by me holding the camera out in front of me and using the 'point and press' technique..)

It's not unreasonable is it? Are there any photographers out there who would take a set of digi. photo for me for less than £200?

OMG sorry I have just realised that there is obviously more to this than I thought. I'm really sorry about your DH's DS1. I had no idea of the history

Self timer of a friend is the way to go with the photos.

Thanks Hannah - I really appreciate that.

I'm making sure that I get photos of him and DS together - Actually I have about half a dozen now which are good (i'm no david bailey!!!)

I don't really have any one to ask. My mum and dad are here periodically, but don't like to use my camera, I see his DDs often, but they won't take photos of me either and I don't have any friends in the area - we live here to be close to his DDs.

I'm a bit worried that I won't have any keepsakes of me and DS together (other than the few shite ones I've taken)..... FWIW, he's not here from Sunday night to Friday night - he's really only here Saturday night.

got bored reading it all. the mothercare's up here in scotland have pixie photo photographers in them.

they do a special offer. £10 for a professional photography sitting. you get one 8*10 free. any extra you pay for. can just get the free one if you want. they dont get all stuffy about it. they're really nice up here.

Like i said before, I love doing photography and if i lived nearer to you i would be there in a shot to take some of you. Photoshop is a magical programme - if you want, you can email me some pics and I will have a mess about with them - usually what makes a photo nicer is taking out the background. You really do need to learn how to use the timer on your camera though - if it means you spending an hour taking photos just to get that one that is ok. As long as your LO is fed and happy, you are bound to get one eventually.
If you want me to do that for you I will. Just let me know and i will send you my email.
x

YCBS: I think you ARE being a bit unreasonable - most people can't afford professional photos

I use a timer, and just keep taking pics on a sunny day (garden is great) of me and children

Alternatively, get out there and make some friends! Join mum and baby groups etc. There is always SOMEONE who is a budding photographer and will love to spend a playdate with you taking pics. And then you can get zillions of photos for FREE. Most people love showing off with a camera.

Do whatever you can to get some photos of you and ds together.

Just some snaps whenever the camera comes out are good.

Don't be left out and keep handng him over to someone else every time there is photo opportunity. Push in and insist it's with you too.

I'm speaking from sad experience here. I so regret the lack of pictures with me and dc. I was all coy at first then I was too generous and was pushed to the back.

We have photos of dt's with every passing tom dick and harry. They might as well have arrived on the bus for all I'm in any of the photos.

I make sure I'm included now, but during that baby time I dont feature much at all

Sorry sore point but get in there or everyone else will happily take over!

There are loads of places that do photos quite cheeply - we have had loads done. You tend to pay for the studio sitting, then just choose the piccies you want. Studio sitting £25-40 generally, photos from £10 for a 6x4.

Also, look into the Cherubs program. Free photos! A lot of studios take part and you have photos done 3 times in their first year. Some of them charge a £15 admin fee, but you get the 3 photos free. Why not check whether any of your local phootgraphy studios are involved? Its a very popular scheme.

Alternatively, get a photographer to come round to your house. Can get some brilliant shots and not usually too expensive because you don't have studio fees.

Thanks - will check out cherubs.

If someone actually knows of a cheap photographer in or near Watford can they please let me know?

I can't find any!!!

Oh, and thanks Morningpaper You really made me feel so much better. Am I really supposed to organise playdates for my 9WO son???????????????????????? Am I just slovenly for not having sorted this? Or are you just the most perfect yummy-mummy ever known on this planet?

Actually, some of the baby groups often do have a photographer once a year, so it might be worth talking with the organizer of your local toddler group to see if they have got any visits planned. Or ask who they use so you can contact them directly.

I took my dd to playgroup when she was 9 weeks old - to give myself some time out of the house and to make friends - no need to be so nasty to morningpaper. You're the one who said you had no friends where you live!

Pixi foto are great £5 for sitting - (you should have a voucher for 4 free sittings withyour bounty pack) and you get a free 10x14 print (i think)
then the 10x8's are £20 - we did the sitting to get the free one and then bought one 10x8. they are great with kids too just tell them you want to be in the photo aswell.
i typed in a search for watford, so here is a list, but you type in your postcode and it will give you where they will be - they are the ones that go around boots and mothercare.
anyway here is the link

OK - I'll add: I wouldn't feel at all comfortable with tapping someone up at a baby group to take my photos in the first 4 weeks.

So, even if I'd signed my DS up in week 5 (which I didn't), I still wouldn't know anyone well enough to ask.

And, FWIW, I HAVE signed up to two baby groups, but neither operate through the summer holidays.

I still think it's a bit much for a 9WO to have playdates.

youcannot: You said you have no friends so I assumed that this is something you want to change? Playdates aren't about the CHILD, they are about THE MUMMIES. You will learn this pretty quickly. I went to an Association of Breastfeeding Mothers groups when DD1 was six weeks old and made loads of friends (who I still see every week and the children are all at school now! Smaller groups are best IME.

Some groups do continue through the summer - have you tried the NCT? And most are just drop-in' - there is no need to sign up to anything.

Going to playgroup is NOT a playdate, this would be where someone comes back to your house, (or vice versa), on a one on one basis, and almost certainly not something anybody would think of doing with a 9 week old. You are going to something already set up where other mothers and babies will be. There are plenty of little babies at the ones I have been to. It is very important for a mothers mental health that she gets out the house and meets other people so as not to feel isolated.

I am certainly not getting into a slanging match, but didn't like the tone of your post re morningpaper. She is a very well known, (if not infamous ), and longstanding poster.

Ah you are sweet sticking up for me

I am quite horrid and arrogant myself

If you meet friends at a baby group you can have them round for yours for a 'playdate' - if you are on maternity leave then I recommend getting some chilled beers out at lunchtime to separate the wheat from the chaff

Where are you ? I'm in hemel - I'll take some for you

OK, apologies where apologies are due: MorningPaper, I'm sorry... I misread your comments.

Haven't found any groups that operate over the summer, but live in a pretty rural area...

\will look at the sites mentioned so far.

thanks!! it is much appreciated.

we're lucky, here in wales we have sure start (don't know if it runs in england) - i took DS1 when he was 5mths - but DS2 is 11wks now and we started going at 3wks - i agree, its about getting some adult conversation when sometimes you think you are going crazy.
did you see my link about pixi foto?

ycbs - whereabouts are you?

I'm in Chipperfield... would you really not mind?

I am so not photogenic - it would take ages to get a good shot!!!

No I'd not mind - take me 15 mins to get there

I'm free on Wednesday... other than that, I'll have DS with me

YCNBS much luck and understanding for tomorrow.

It will be so hard for him, but you have to remind him in the most compassionate way, that before you know it you DS will be growing older and you're missing out on the photo opportunities. Why don't you just get a few of you cuddling up with him for now, sometimes when my DS fall asleep on me, I can't not take a little pic of us all snug. Perhaps take a few pics yourself of you both and show your DH and then just gradually build up to DH taking one of your both. Alternatively, can you not meet up with some lovely MNetters near you and you can take pics of each other and they can get some happy ones of you and your DS? x Just read up and realised you already have arranged this haha - happy snapping x

Wednesday is fine with me - I could get us lunch at The Two Brewers to say thanks?

in sept the school photographer will be in school - i bet hed take a professional pic of u