School photos - is it cruel not to buy them?

AylesburyDuck

4 kids here, only ever bought the good ones, and some of the kids never had ANY good ones.:rotfl:
Most have more than enough photos of their kids growing up that it really not issue to buy school ones as well, especially if awful!

PasturesNew

Our parents bought two sets when we were in infant/junior school - but back then there were fewer opportunities to have a photo taken.

The last set hung on their walls until 2011..... I looked bl00dy awful and many a joke was made about my photo over the decades

You have more alternatives and choices these days - no need to buy them if they're not good.

chesky

Sometimes it's cruel TO buy them.

pinkshoes

I bought the reception classphoto, and will buy the class photo in Y6.

Didn't like any of the individual ones!

Mojisola

Red-Squirrel wrote: »

Relaxed snaps taken at the right moment always capture nicer smiles and more natural expressions anyway.

I was thinking that it would be easy to do a 'school photo' at home - if the child is more relaxed, the photo could be better than the ones that cost a lot.

Marvel1

I wish my parents would take the photo of me in my cap and gown down, hate seeing it, the sooner that is in the bin the better.

sulkisu

Thanks all, I feel a bit less of a cow now knowing that not every parent buys their pictures.

For those suggesting taking a photograph myself or taking my son to a professional - you are slightly missing my point (or more likely I haven't been clear ). It's not about other options for getting a good picture, it's the 'not buying their school photo'. I'm basically saying 'I don't like this picture of you', which feels a bit cold and unkind! Perhaps I'm overthinking it.

jackomdj

I never buy the individual one, we can do much better ones at home. But I have bought every class photo (eldest is y7). I think it is lovely being able to look back and see your class. I still have mine from secondary, which I left 30 years ago.

PasturesNew

sulkisu wrote: »

I'm basically saying 'I don't like this picture of you', which feels a bit cold and unkind! Perhaps I'm overthinking it.

Not every child is lovable.... or adorable .... and even those few that might be, they might not be liked by the camera, or liked that day, or in that light, or from that angle ... or in that uniform putting on a false smile when some strange looking man says "CHEESE".

In your mind's eye you have a version of how your child looks - and if a photo doesn't show them like that then of course you won't like it.

Bad parents are those who don't ever say "NO.... don't like that".

Mojisola

sulkisu wrote: »

It's not about other options for getting a good picture, it's the 'not buying their school photo'. I'm basically saying 'I don't like this picture of you', which feels a bit cold and unkind!

Turn it round - that photographer didn't take a very nice photo - we've got much nicer ones of you.