Swimming lessons -- no photos!?

DD had her first swimming lessons today. Went really well, and she really enjoyed it. Highly recommend a parent-baby class for everyone, as it was really good here.

However, I brought my camera and was snapping a few pictures along with some other parents who were video-taping the babies/dads in the pool, and the teacher told us all that it wasn't allowed. All the cameras had to be put away immediately.

I'm a little baffled by this. I understand people wanting to protect children in swimsuits from pedophiles and such, certainly you don't want mobile phone cameras in changing rooms and whatnot...but it seems kind of overboard at a tiny swimming pool (not a leisure centre, but a local school pool) with six little babies and their dads swimming.

So sad that in this day and age you can't take a photo of your baby's first swim lesson. Luckily, I managed to snap a few pictures of my daughter and husband swimming before I knew of the no-camera rule.

Would this be the same in the US? I used to be a life guard/swim instructor (when I was 18...so this was years ago) at a local pool where I lived in the States, and they did not have a no-photo rule. It's just kind of funny to me given that there is so much CCTV and surveillance here that cameras are a no-no. Anyone had a similar experience in the States or is this just a UK thing?

I think it's hit or miss on whether or not you can take photos or not. Some places are overreacting, others are being more sensible.

Real shame though. The other problem with this is that it's now becoming a big money maker, too. They now bring in professional photographers to take pictures at the event/class and then charge you a bomb for them - like school photos only now it's at camps, pools, nurseries, etc.

Gotta love capitalism!

The other problem with this is that it's now becoming a big money maker, too. They now bring in professional photographers to take pictures at the event/class and then charge you a bomb for them - like school photos only now it's at camps, pools, nurseries, etc.

Great. Can't wait for this.

Would it be a problem in the UK to have your camera at a playground or a school athletic event if you were taking pictures of your own kid only? Is it only private places (like swim schools at private pools) that have the right to limit it?

I'm always dragging my camera around to playgrounds and toddler group around town to take pictures of my son. I haven't run into any problems in public places, so it's probably more of a private setting issue than anything else.
(I used to teach in the U.S. and there were some pretty strict rules about cameras in classrooms there, as well)

We took loads of pictures of DS at his swim lessons here in the UK and nobody said anything.  They actually gave us a few minutes to space out and take pictures without other people in the background.  Not sure about the US as I taught DD how to swim on my own in my parent's pool.

I'm always taking pictures of DD at school events.  I seem to be the only one but never had anybody say anything.  Some of the school plays don't allow flash photography due to distracting the kids and you aren't allowed to video tape (so I take pics with no flash).

I agree there are similar rules at times in the US. Sometimes the rules aren't at all about paedophiles--they are there to protect children in care. We have had strict rules at some places where I work because there is sometimes a child who is in foster care where the parents aren't to know their location. If someone has them in a photo and someone who knows the family sees it then the parents can locate the child.

I know it is a huge pain, and annoying-- but there can be good reasons.

We've got a policy at the playgroup (which parents are reminded of at the start of every party or Christmas play etc.) that parents sign, photos and video are allowed but no posting on youtube, facebook etc.

I double checked with Jean's dance teacher before her Christmas show and she was fine with it.  She's also bringing in the photos taken at the show for us to order copies at cost (quite refreshing from what I've heard of dance recitals in the states).

I know it seems a bit excessive with the no photos, I do Aquababies with my daughter and they have a no photo rule, but if everyone in the classe agrees, you can take photos. No photos in the lockerroom.

I am fine about it, I think these days you can't be too careful, but I am not one of those who worries about paedos or whatever, but I do think use caution.

At my sons school we were not allowed to take photos at the Christmas carol concert, there are kids in care and they can't risk it. I understand, I put myself in their shoes and its okay.

We've got a policy at the playgroup (which parents are reminded of at the start of every party or Christmas play etc.) that parents sign, photos and video are allowed but no posting on youtube, facebook etc.

That seems like a good policy. I think they should implement this more often. Certainly wouldn't want to put kids in care at risk, but if everyone agrees, then it would be totally avoided. Much better than just a blanket policy of no photos, but I guess there are reasons I didn't think of.

They have a strict no mobile phone policy in the girls nursery. I'm not sure about me taking photos of my own but the places I've been so far have been weird about it, so I don't bother.

However, we have signed a consent allowing the nursery to take photos of the girls and use them for the wall and stuff like that. Everytime I go in there I'm being bombarded by several nursery staff showing me a photo they took earlier that day. They give you a copy if you ask for it, so I'm not terribly bothered about taking photos of my own.

Yeah, as part of the photo policy parents do actually give consent for staff to take photos which go in the children's learning journals or on wall displays.  Then at the end of the year parents keep the learning journals so we do actually get photos of what they've been up to.

Whenever we take DD somewhere there are other children about we are very cautious about taking photos of her just so we don't happen to get other peoples children in the frame. If where we are has a no photos policy we abide by it. I personally don't like people taking photos around my daughter, I don't like the idea of a stranger having pictures of her even if it is not intentional...so much so I won't give pictures to my MiL because she sends them off to her friends that DH & I do not know.

When we visited back in '09, we took our niece and nephew ice skating and they made us sign a waiver and show i.d. to film them.

Our school has a no photography policy, too, depending on the situation. It's been proven that some paedos choose which children to groom by taking their photos at events, etc.  Schools have to adapt so many policies and procedures for stuff like this. I mean, people who are determined to abuse kids will find a way to do so, unfortunately, but the schools are doing everything they can to deter them. I agree it does make for some inconveniences for parents, but I think it's better than not having a policy in place when there is evidence to suggest one may be needed. (I work in the HR department of an academy.  )