Mrs Ethelston's Church of England Primary School, in Uplyme, Devon, prohibited photos and video filming, claiming it was due to changes in child protection and images legislation.
It is the first time the school has taken such measures.
Parents criticised the move and said they felt there was no legal reason why they cannot take photos for personal use.
Jane Souter, who has a son at the school and is chair of the Parents Teachers and Friends Association, said: "It is a shame but that is the way it is all going now, you are not allowed to do a lot of things because of rules and regulations.
"A lot of the parents think it is a great shame. There are people who have been there for many, many years and they are upset about it, although they do not blame the school.
"It is sad that you are not allowed to take pictures of your own children.
"It is all to do with the pictures getting into the wrong hands and the school has to follow its own code of conduct.