On the birth of our first child, we were very Keen to make a contribution to the fight against miscarriage, stillbirth and pre-mature babies, as well as SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).
We made a modest charitable donation to the Bonnie Babes Foundation, who then made us the offer to be photographed for our newborn daughter to appear in a annual book -- "Pride of the Nation", which could later be purchased for $150, the proceeds of which would go to the foundation. We agreed to the offer and made an appointment with the "professional baby photographer", Brett Richardson Photography, Balwyn.
On the day of the photographic session, we arrived at the lavishly decorated studios, with a small garage of luxury cars as a backdrop.
We were treated to the inexperience of a wedding photographer, who by his own admission had not done any child portraits before -- this inability proved itself during the session. Immediately following this, we were corralled into a small room to endure a hard-selling session that would have made any Scientologist proud.
We were offered either a $2000 or $3000 album, as a start, with very little more affordable alternatives given.
After an embarrassing struggle, we made it clear it was beyond our means and intentions to spend so much. The remaining shots from the session were going to be immediately deleted without option. We conceded to pay a further $550 for only four images. After this disappointment we had to wait months for what are at best, third-rate photographs. At no point were we offered the book that was originally offered in the Bonnie Babes letters, and is not available in bookstores, even the shops including Target, (that helped sponsor the POTN project).
It is clear from our experience that there is much double-dealing going on, and this BB fund is merely a means to selling the services of poorly skilled commercial business, rather than working toward any charitable end.
Kris
Balwyn
Australia
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