preschool photos?

Question

My daughter goes to a private preschool (church school), there are thirteen kids in her class, a teacher and a teachers aide. I just got her school pictures back today and am rather upset about them. The mornig of pictures I took the time to do my daughters hair, put pigtails in and curled her bangs. In her picture she only has one pigtail in, I know that to expect her to keep it "perfect" until pictures is alot to ask of a three year old, but with three adults (teachers and photographer) would it have been to much to ask for one of them to either put the other pigtail back in or take the one that was in out? I mean she looks silly with one side up and the other down. I usually wouldn't be so upset, but these were her first school pictures. Now I have to pay thirty dollars for retakes. Which is more than I paid for the package that I purchased. I am just fuming right now and am tempted to call the school about it. What would you do?

My daughter does not ride the bus to school or walk, I drop her off and take her into the school and walk her into her classroom, so I know that the teacher knew that it wasn't her do for the day. As far as leaving it to the teacher to do her hair it would have taken all of five seconds to pull the other hair band out of her hair so that it would at least look nice.

If my question is rediculous, I apologize, but I would rather vent here, get some other opinions over calling my daughters school and lose my cool over someting like this.

Answer 1

I read all of the replies and 1. disagree that you're being ridiculous or overreacting, 2. you should not get the pictures redone for all of the reasons noted and 3. after you let some time pass you should mention it to the school, and express your disappointment. While managing 13 3 year olds is an unbelievably challenging task, this is not the first time that they've had pre-schoolers sit for pictures. It's patently obvious when a little one shows up nicely dressed with her hair perfect for a photo shoot. The teachers bear considerable responsibility here and need to know your feelings, but not when you're fuming. Also, seriously consider abandoning a reshoot.

Answer 2

Hmmm... hard to say... two teachers and 13 kids? You're probably lucky that the kids all got a picture! Seriously, we just had picture day at the preschool I work at, and it is the worst day of the year for teachers. These photographers generally have very little patience for these little guys, and want us to hurry them along like they are on a conveyor belt or something. I work at a center where 60% of our children have identified disabilities (so we have a lower staff to child ratio, which helps) but it is very difficult to get some children to take a photo. All of a sudden, they are ushered into a room, where all these bright lights are set up, people are tilting their head one way and placing their hands another... who wouldn't freak out! My two-year-old goes to the same preschool I work at, so of course I want her pic to come out great- but the way I see it, as long as they aren't crying- it was a good photo. I know parents get upset when their child's first school pic isn't that great- but I always tell them that they can do it at Walmart on their own time, when the child isn't feeling so rushed and with all the new situations at hand. Usually that's far cheaper too, so that is what I do with my own children! I had kids this year that I had to tell the photographer's assistant, "Don't touch her, she's very particular about who is near her" and to turn the lighting down. It's not nearly as hard with children who don't have issues with being touched or bright lighting, but it can be scary for toddlers anyway. I DO make sure that there hair, etc. is at least looking nice, however... I don't think it takes that much to at least perform a quick check when they are getting their picture done. Perhaps the teachers need to re-evaluate their procedures for picture taking...

Answer 3

1. You can't really expect three people to be able to coif your child to your satisfaction before school photos. Their job is to care for your children, not comb their hair.
2. If you are really that concerned about it, let the school or photographer know you are dissatisified by writing them a letter.
3. Don't do the retakes though through the same photographer, unless they offer to do them gratis. Or, in the alternative, you could take her to a portrait studio on your own to ensure that her hair looks the way you want it to before the pictures are taken. Studios are everywhere, and are available for every budget.
4. Enjoy your daughter's eccentricities. So her hair was messy. I have a photo from when I was younger where I was screaming and red-faced. My mom loves that picture now, even though at the time she hated it.

Answer 4

I hate to say it, but your question is a bit rediculous. Your daughter is all of what, 3 or 4? Kids are kids. Its endearing when they do cute things that make them stand out. As you said you cannot expect kids to be perfect and you also cannot put this on her teachers. You said there are 13 kids in the class... ma'am have you ever worked with children? Trying to get 13 children to cooperate in ANY situation is tough. Trying to style their hair too? Thats a mommys job. Next time, if you're more concerned about perfection, take the day off and stay with her until pictures are complete.

Answer 5

I'm surprised the photographer doesn't have a money back guarantee. If the photographer doesn't retake them for free, then the school should reimburse you for the photos. I think you have every right to be mad. If you had gone to a studio, you wouldn't have ordered photos off proofs that bad, so if you are paying up front for pictures, then you should be satisfied with them. If the photographer doesn't retake them for free, I would make a report to the BBB.

Answer 6

I would absolutely call the school. When you send your child to school the instructors have an obligation to take care of your child and in the case of caring for a 3 year old I believe they should have made sure her hair was at least presentable for pictures. As a mother who saves every little thing my daughters first school pictures are very special to me.

Answer 7

I might be irked about it, but it could be that she pulled the second pig tail about before the day really got going, and the teachers just thought it was her do for the day...

It is hard to get 1 child ready for pictures, let alone 13, thats still 4-5 kids per adult in the class. I do think its a little far fetched that no one could fix her hair, but then again, its not their job to.

Just get your retakes :)

Answer 8

Ask her teacher (or the teacher that was there) about it. Your daughter may have been exerting some independence and told the adults that's how she wanted it. I would keep the pictures and not do retakes. That's how she looked THAT day. There will be other school pictures.

Answer 9

Actually something like this happened to me once. Only the teacher got my hair to stick up. The teacher combed my hair and when my mother got the pictures my hair was sticking up she was furious. Although when she called the school they said they couldn't do anything about it. Everytime I look at the picture though my family and I just laugh about it. So I know you may be mad now but one day you will look back upon those pictures and you and your daughter will laugh about it.

Answer 10

I know you want to have good pictures, with her perfect smile and hair. But keep the pictures. My son had preschool pics taken when he was 3 and 4 and his smiles were absolutely crazy. But you know what, I kept them and love them. They absolutely show exactly who he was at those ages. You will appreciate them when your daughter gets older and grows up.