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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Am I being an old fart over DD's class photo?

72 replies

sweetcat · 03/05/2010 12:24

I can't decide if I am or not.

DD is in YR5 and never had a class photo before. She told me that the photographer has used a modern approach, nothing wrong with that. The individual ones he did in September were fab!

So, he got the children into groups of 3 or 4 and took them in poses then put it into one photo.

Some on the floor hands on chin, piggybacks etc so I was looking forward to seeing the finished article.

We got it on Friday and I am still undecided if I like it or not becase 6 of the boys have their hands and fingers in gun positions. They are pointing at the camera and at each other and it doesn't sit right with me at all.

DH sort of agrees with me but neither of us are sure if we shouold complain to the the Head or not. I don't really want the photo now but DD probably won't get another before High school and I would like a reminder of her with her class.

So, am I being an old fart, and would you be bothered about it?

OP posts:
Rebeccaruby · 03/05/2010 14:06

They probably had some fun with the kids and asked them what they would like to do. Quite possibly these kids wanted to pretend they were, I don't know, characters from some film or other, or cartoon, and they might have been pretending to hold laser guns, or pretending to be cowboys.

I personally find that relatively unthreatening, because there is an element of fantasy involved. I personally find kids pretending to characters from Star Wars holding laser guns, or Pirates of the Carribean holding cutlasses, much less threatening than if they were pretending to be the local drug dealer, and I think kids understand the difference, too. Possibly not the best idea for a school photo, but I don't think I would be too bothered.

iwastooearlytobeayummymummy · 03/05/2010 15:00

pozzled

I couldn't agree more as the odd balls, DS included were grouped together as his bf had palled up with someone else at the time
And they say girls are difficult, pah!

hocuspontas · 03/05/2010 15:05

Yes, I don't like class photos like this. DD1's class photo had all the 'friendless' children in a group together. It was horrible. They could have individual ones of their friendship groups taken afterwards if they liked. How sad again for this group

FabIsGoingToGetFit · 03/05/2010 15:10

Definitely complain and suggest he comes back and has it retaken.

If not, you will have to decide what is the lesser of two evils - a photo you don't like or no photo.

PuppyMonkey · 03/05/2010 15:10

Eew, guns or not this sounds like my idea of embarrassing hell. Modern photos, my arse.

I would definitely write the note to the teacher- not as a complaint, just as feedback so the schoolcan make a choice about whether to get this photographer in again next time. Maybe the other parents will do the same and the penny will drop with someone.

Ivykaty44 · 03/05/2010 15:12

My first thought is do look at the mumsnet logo....

PuppyMonkey · 03/05/2010 15:13

Course I blame that lot at Venture photography for this new, cool modern funny pose trend.

Jamieandhismagictorch · 03/05/2010 15:36

I like these modern photos in general, but the guns thing - inappropiate for a photo.

I also live in a borough where gun crime and gangs are a part of daily life, so find it hard to be laid back about this 9I have 2 boys)

I have no problem with small kids playing in the playground, but I've never seen year 5s playing in this way.

Anste · 03/05/2010 15:49

It sounds dreadful, I wouldn't buy it. You MUST complain to the school - you won't be the only one. The photographer may be asked back to re-take (otherwise he'll lose money and so will the school). The school will probably use a different photographer next year.

MrsWeasley · 03/05/2010 15:50

Our school have just done one of these "modern" photos for our leavers and its turned out really well.

I am surprised that the headteacher has given his approval for this tbh.

I would mention it to the headteacher and ask him for if he plans to do another photo before the children leave.

ppeatfruit · 03/05/2010 16:00

LOL at the one with a dyson !!! Blimey what's up with 'normal' photos? YANBU at all.

bruffin · 03/05/2010 16:23

Those new photos are lovely. The good thing about them is that they only have to pose a few children at a time, They are a lot more editable.

this sort of thing used by dc's secondary school

DD's primary school used these
The gun thing wouldn't really bother me too much I think of Charlies Angels or James Bond

Jamieandhismagictorch · 03/05/2010 16:33

yes, mine were Ward-Henry

womblingalong · 03/05/2010 17:10

mine were the brunswick ones, and I hated them tbh, so posed and scruffy looking.

ll31 · 03/05/2010 17:12

sounds awful particularly idea of them having to split into friendship groups.. nothing wrong with traditional school photo I think - in years to come its nice and easily identifiable as school photo of particular year.. does photo not usually include teacher too - was he/she pointing gun?????

pointydog · 03/05/2010 17:14

hm, that is a bit odd, the gun positions. I wouldn't be impressed. It is possible to look fun and informal without toting a firearm

pointydog · 03/05/2010 17:16

our photographer told the kids what to do, he didn't just let them make up their own random poses

PixieOnaLeaf · 03/05/2010 17:27

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

hocuspontas · 03/05/2010 17:30

No - she was on the floor faking death from gunshot wounds

5Foot5 · 03/05/2010 17:31

I think this "modern" style sounds awful. I wouldn't object especially because of the gun poses because that could just be typical of little boys playing TBH. But I just prefer the posed in rows approach.

This other style just sounds like a photographer who is up his own arse and wants to take the sort of phots he likes to do rather than the ones parents will actually like.

Do you know if other parents feel the same way?

Maybe you could contact the headteacher and say that you are disappointed with the style of photograph and ask if there is any possibility of arranging a more traditional style before your child leaves that school. if nough parents felt like this they might do it.

Original poster
sweetcat · 03/05/2010 17:32

Sorry pointydog but LOL at "it is possible to look fun and infomal without toting a firearm"

Would you mind if I use that in my note to the Head?

Glad you pretty much all agree with me though

I will update once I have mentioned it. Will probably be met with an eye roll as the Head is very casual.Still, I'm not the complaining type normally so he might take me seriously.

OP posts:
pointydog · 03/05/2010 17:34

you need to actually see this modern style, you sceptics. I was doubtful until I saw the finished pix and then I thought they looked better than the dull rows.

does your head share your sense of humour, sweet?

Original poster
sweetcat · 03/05/2010 17:38

Not sure pointydog, I've not had to speak to him before. DD says he has a sense of humour though, but mine is pretty warped so we shall see.

OP posts:
iwastooearlytobeayummymummy · 03/05/2010 17:49

pointy

unfortunately my DS was a little hurt by the groupings.
I told him to 'man up' btw

pointydog · 03/05/2010 19:04

ah, I see. I can imagine some children being a bit hurt. Not ideal