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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:

LittleSilver · 03/05/2010 19:07

Oooh they sound naff as.

What's wrong with sitting up nicely?

Guns very inappropriate imo.

I'm an old fart too.

Tidey · 03/05/2010 19:09

I don't buy the class/school photos any more because of this stupid trend of having the children in strange little groups pointing into the distance like they're advertising power tools, or leaning on each others shoulders. Really winds me up for some reason. Would much prefer the standing in lines kind.

clam · 03/05/2010 19:10

Our school does both sorts of photos. So parents can pick which type they prefer.
Not sure how I feel about the gun pose. BUt wouldn't hurt to flag it up, as clearly some people don't like it and they (or the photographer) need to be aware in order to avoid the same happening next year.

Gashtray · 03/05/2010 19:12

Hmmm, just thinking back to an idyllic childhood where we played cops and robbers with spud guns. Then again, gun crime was not an issue in 1980s Wales.

TBH, I'd have more of a problem with the style of the photo. I think it sounds unspeakably naff and twee. Traditional line up all the way, I think.

mumbar · 03/05/2010 19:15

I have seen this style before and yes it's fab but guns....???

No not for me either I'm afraid. I would just call head as if enough parents aren't happy maybe they can retake that shot and produce something a little more apropriate. Sure photographer would rather that than not sell any.

Trafficcone · 03/05/2010 19:20

I'd like it and think it showed the kids as they really are. But I'd not buy it and give it to the grannies!!!!

troublewithtalk · 03/05/2010 19:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Hulababy · 03/05/2010 19:21

I have seen the modern style and I am not keen. Glad that DD's school doesn't do them TBH.

I definitely wouldn't be impressed with the gun type pose. Inappropriate for school picture.

Pixel · 03/05/2010 19:32

I must be an old fart too because I like traditional school photos. I'm glad ds goes to an SN school so they won't be able to do this (most of the children wouldn't be able to follow instructions, it's hard enough getting them sitting in chairs at the same time. Ds always has a teacher behind him with a desperate expression fixed smile, holding him firmly by the shoulders .)

olderandwider · 03/05/2010 19:40

Tricky one. I would find it hard to display a photo I didn't like. Could you buy it as a record of your DD's time in Yr 5, stick it in a box somewhere and then forget about it? You may welcome having it in years to come, and feel less squeamish about the gun's and poses style when a few years have passed.

olderandwider · 03/05/2010 19:40

sorry, guns and poses

Original poster

sweetcat · 03/05/2010 20:08

Olderandwider, if it's not possible to retake the photo that's what I will do. Then I can take it out in years to come and do a sweetcat's bum mouth

OP posts:

Mowgli1970 · 03/05/2010 20:09

YANBU. I would complain about this - it's normalising gun crime and culture. Nothing wrong with modern photos, but this sounds way out of line.

Mowgli1970 · 03/05/2010 20:12

@ Pixieonaleaf!!! Where did they get him? Perv Monthly?

PixieOnaLeaf · 03/05/2010 20:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

specialsmasher · 03/05/2010 20:28

I must be an old fart - I HATE those photos. And the friendship group thing with its potential for real misery for those on the outside is just stupid and insensitive, IMO!

pixiestix · 03/05/2010 21:18

ROFL at Tidey!

herjazz · 03/05/2010 21:24

I'd hate the gun posing as well

also had one of them moddun type class photos. Initially was a bit meh but then realised it was a good thing that it meant all the kids were looking / maybe smiling. Taking photos in 2's and 3's and montaging together cretainly worked better for dd's class (sn school)

Original poster

sweetcat · 07/05/2010 16:51

Quick update. I had a word with the Head today, first chance I have had. I told him how disappointed I was not to be able to buy one and why and he said that he had not seen the photo

Anyway he had a look and did agree that it was inappropriate for a school photo. The photographer was due at the school to pick up the orders later today so the Head said he would have a word to see if it was possible to retake the photo or even sections, which I appreciated.

I'm not expecting the photo to be redone as I am the only parent who has complained but at least I got my point across, and he did say that there would definitely be a class photo in YR6 so I feel better about that.

Thanks for all your advice

OP posts:

caen · 07/05/2010 19:56

Glad the head was reasonable. When I've watched these being done, the photographer takes photos in several different poses so that he can put a good mix together. He'll probably have other poses saved so won't have to come back and it'll take him five minutes to change it.

miso · 07/05/2010 20:06

People that are saying it's just boy's play, maybe they were play-acting Star Wars etc - Yr5's are 10 year olds not 7 year olds, if they are doing 'gun-poses' it is more likely that they are copying rappers & gangstas tbh.

Without seeing the poses its impossible to say of course - but where I live they could easily be copying older brothers who are in gangs...even if they are just copying from music videos it's not a great idea to be encouraging gang culture.

I'd hope the teacher / photographer would've played it down & discreetly suggested something else.

Well done for explaining why you weren't comfortable with it - it's something that just may not have occurred to the photographer, but maybe now they would have some guidelines for it.

FWIW our (very old fashioned) school portraits have always been pretty dreadful & overpriced any idiot with a digital camera could manage better these days. So I am quite jealous at people who have had half-decent portraits done fortheir dc's at school. But I do quite like our traditional 'lined up in benches in the gym' type class photos with room to write names on the back.

tethersendisnigh · 07/05/2010 20:38

The photographer should have known that gun poses were inappropriate for a school photo, and directed the kids accordingly- after all, if they are in the business of taking school photos, they should take the time to learn what poses are inappropriate for school use.

It's not just about the parents, this photo is representative of the school, and it casts them in a negative light. The school needs to complain to the photographer and the photographer needs to retake the photos and provide the product he was contracted to.

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