School photos: do you buy them?

Former_MSE_Andrea

Hi everyone

The build-up to Christmas sometimes includes school photos taken in plenty of time to tug at our purse and heart strings with the expectation we may buy them for the grandparents.

They're not particularly cheap and sometimes don't come individually but in packs unless you have the option of other gifts done eg fridge magnets, keyrings etc.

So we wanted to know, do you buy them?

If you don't for what reason?

OrkneyStar

Yes

I said 'yes' as I have 3/4 years I have had the opportunity. The lady who does ours is great though, imaginative poses, don't have to wear uniform, reasonable prices too. Last year I wasn't so keen as we were told there would be a red background and I didn't like the sound of it (didn't even get proofs), but the 2 previous years and this yr have been great. Might or might not get them next year but probably won't get them every year.

jackomdj

I don't buy the individual ones as we take better individual photos of our children. But I do buy the class photo's.

I have all my secondary school group photo's and it is lovely to look back at people you shared your school years with. (All those years ago!)

dizziblonde

jackomdj wrote: »

I don't buy the individual ones as we take better individual photos of our children. But I do buy the class photo's.

I have all my secondary school group photo's and it is lovely to look back at people you shared your school years with. (All those years ago!)

Not when someone uploads the hideous memories of my 1980s fashion victim perm onto facebook it isn't!

gunsandbanjos

I've not voted as I only buy them sometimes.

This year I've not, I did my daughters hair in a nice bun with a pretty hair band and the photographer took her bun out and draped her (very long and could do with being cut) hair over her shoulder and down her front!
It was also a very soft focus type photo and was generally crap!

I bought last years as the photographer didn't faff about with her and took a nice traditional/standard school photo and my daughter looked lovely.

Money_maker

Yes

Yes, they are a good record of each school year. Normally get a small pack with one for the grandparents too. This year DD missed hers as she was off sick so upgraded DS1 & DS2 to a canvas (none for the grandparents, though). Got DS2 canvas and I'm so pleased with the quality - excellent.

MadDogWoman_2

Yes

I buy the cheapest option, this year a single medium size one of each picture. I've also purchased one of them in a frame for my desk at work.

I'm rubbish at taking pictures so having a proper school one is excellent.

I buy them every year as it's a good record of how my daughter has grown and changed over the 12 months. I even try and do the same hairstyle!

I bought a big selection of pictures when she was in Reception as they were her first ones. After that we've only bought for ourselves.

I think the next time I buy a pack to give out to family will be her Year 6 ones just before she leaves Primary School.

jackomdj

dizziblonde wrote: »

Not when someone uploads the hideous memories of my 1980s fashion victim perm onto facebook it isn't!

Ha ha, I remember my 1980's perm with fond memories, I am that FB uploader! I have also posted photos of my rather fetching royal blue stillettos!

Janepig

Yes

I've always bought them. When DS joined DD in primary school I bought the one of them together and one of him on his own, but since then I just by the one of them both together. I'll probably get DD's solo one this year as it's her last year before comp. It makes me cross though that they send a form home asking what we want, so I always put that I just want a photo of the two of them together, but they always do solo ones too. Hard sell!! Anyway, I just buy the cheapest pack they do.

I always get the class ones too (again, the cheapest option) and I think that they do a special class one in year six before they go to comp, with their names on or something like that. I used to like the class ones where they're all sitting together in the yard (because they do them in summer) or that type of thing, but the last couple of years they've taken to doing a strange arrangement where they photograph the kids in groups of two or three then edit them together into one big photo on a white background.

Jx

fluffymuffy

Yes

Yes. The photographer always captures a good background showing some aspect the school buildings/interior/grounds (Grade I Listed Building), different one each time they take photos, and I think that's building up to be a good record of child's time at that school. Good photos of child too.

And there are always some fast-focus close-up ones of each child participating in Sports Day. We have a nice one running with the batton. Child is poor at sports but look suitably athletic in this shot. Nice background of school building too.

I guess we have a good school photographer. The photos are fantastic.

LandyAndy

I've usually bought them. I rather like the formal portrait. It's a picture I simply wouldn't take myself.

Sadly there will be no more as younger son leaves at the end of this year.