Children of London Photo Book Post Reply

[Curious25]

Hello,

Has anyone got any experience of partaking in the ‘Children of London’ photo book initiative? The marketing is very slick but I am starting to wonder whether it’s all just a regular photo shoot under the guise of a London-wide initiative? My kids have a shoot coming up so any thoughts welcome!

[Motheroffour4]

We did it a few years ago. The book itself is little underwhelming to me but still a nice keepsake but I did buy some of the framed prints (watch out for a hard pressure sell by Richard when you go to his studio). They were very expensive but stunning and to this day definitely the best photographs I have to date. Probably just view it as a 'free' photoshoot of your children and take a view on the cost of the photos. My negative was definitely the heavy pressure to buy and the emphasis on the studio visit being the only opportunity to see the pictures so I could not go away and think about it. That said I don't regret it.

[NVG]

Ha - yes I know all about this, both as a parent whose child featured and as a photographer who has come across it professionally.

So yes, to answer your question - it is a marketing promotion. There is a book, but it’s huge and very expensive and do you really need photos of other people’s kids? But - you don’t need to buy it.

What happens is you do the shoot and then you go along to select the photo but it turns out the photo you’re selecting isn’t the one that’s going in the book (he chooses that), but the ones you might want to buy.

And here’s the thing - Richard Bradbury is actually a really good photographer. He’s one of the most established and respected in the country and the photos are great. I would say he’s a lot better than most of the local photographers round here. He’s not cheap but with photography you get what you pay for and if the photos are to last a lifetime and be treasured then it’s worth spending money on getting good ones.

So if you want some really good photos of your kids (and you should because they are kids for such a short time and once they’re grown up, photos are all you have to remind you) then I would go ahead. He makes it really fun and is a very nice guy. But only do it if you’re prepared to spend some money. Otherwise it’s a waste of time all round.

Hope that helps.

[supermummy]

we did this a few years and it was exactly as described above.

we got some really great pics of the kids in a london park, i’d say a bit different in style to what I’ve seen elsewhere, more artistic and characterful, great quality shots but yes, it was a slightly awkward hour or so under pressure to choose pics to buy. one of the selling points was the quality of the paper is same as for professional exhibitions but we didn’t really need that. however, i do really like our pics and still have them up many years later.

we also never actually got our book and i gave up in the end…

[BainMoos]

One way to gain more insight is to connect with others who have already participated in the initiative. Their experiences and feedback can provide valuable perspectives. You could also reach out to the organizers or ask for recommendations from others who have engaged with them. It's always helpful to gather different opinions and make an informed decision.

By the way, if you're looking for quality canvas Abu Dhabi, there are several reputable places to consider. They can transform your favorite photos, including the ones from the shoot, into stunning canvas prints that you can proudly display in your home. It's a wonderful way to preserve and showcase those special moments.