Beware of PCA/Wal-Mart portrait studio *Update pg. 5*

[WDWorBUST]

I had Sammi's 1 month and 2 month photos taken at Walmart without any problems. But they are ridiculously expensive if you want anything other than the package so I started going to Penney's. Which for the most part I love Penney's most days. (They have off days too) But I wanted to get Sam's 18 month picture taken and just didn't feel up to the hassle of getting around and going to Tulsa to Penney's so I had my mom take her to Wal-Mart. The pictures turned out ORANGE....I had her pic taken ever month from 1 - 13 months. Then I did 15 & 17 - but 18 months was a big one and they messed it up. Then of course by the time they came in and we found out she was 19 months old. Now fortunately there weren't any HUGE changes in her but STILL!! I can understand how ANGRY you are and they definitely have ridiculous customer service. You should have been treated much better than that. Sorry you had that experience.

 

[KATIESMOMMY]

That is too weird. The same hting happened to my DD pics at Christmas,wasnt the light thing, but off centered and could see the tops of the background and they were "digitized" in some places. When I picked them up I instantly complained. Now I didnt get anything off the price I had paid for the disk,but they gave me all the pictures but one 5x7 which they needed to send back to corporate and a free reshoot.I think PCA is a chain and maybe it depends on each branch? I have had all DD'd pics done there and always been happy. That is so sad they did that, I am so sorry for you!

 

[sk!mom]

I would have refused the pictures and demanded a full refund. I think where you ran into problems was letting it be known that you wanted the pictures. Because these lower end studios often have people complain about the quality in order to get a discount it seems that it is usually there policy to not offer much of one if you want the pics. It's either refund and no pics or take the pics with a small discount.

I'm not saying that you were doing this since your pics were clearly messed up. I had a similar experience at Sears several years ago. I refused the pictures that were messed up and asked for a refund. I then paid for only the good ones. As I was leaving the saleswoman said here go ahead and take the rest as we will shred them. I was not angry that they messed up- stuff happens.

 

[babiesX2]

I would have refused the pictures and demanded a full refund. I think where you ran into problems was letting it be known that you wanted the pictures.

A couple of reasons why we wanted the pics -- they are now over 12 months and they must have all their clothes on in the pics. Some of our poses were the "baking" pose and the angel wings where they were only in their diapers. I don't want to put those on the net because of perverts. These same poses can't be recreated now.

#2 -- Lydia has had eye surgery since then and looks dramatically different now.

I was annoyed with the $7 my DH paid after I went to the car, but the customer service rep calling me to tell me I owed them money back was over the top. Threatening me with the "leave it alone" crossed the line. This company took the time to call me back and tell me this. Why? I'm anxiously waiting to see what they are going to do to me since I am not "leaving it alone."

 

[babiesX2]

I called Wal-Mart's corporate office in Bentonville, AR. Wal-Mart does not own any part of PCA studios. All Wal-Mart does is lease to them the space in their stores for the studio. I wanted to put that out there because I'm not trying to give Wal-Mart a bad reputation due to this problem I'm having. PCA, on the other hand, needs to have a bad rep. From what others have already posted, it sounds like they already do.

PCA is like Heffalumps and Woozles! Beware! Beware! Be very, very ware!

 

[Tiger926]

So sorry this happened to you. I too find that Walmart's Potrait Studio (which as mentioned is not run by Walmart - either is Sears' Portrait Studio) and digital photo lab is horrible. I've always said I don't understand how they can give whole portrait packages for like $4.95 (here in Canada) and now I see why. I can't imagine paying $120.00 to Walmart - sorry not trying to insult you in any way, I just know that their 'photographers' - I use the term loosely, are not trained in photography at all. Some of my high school students have worked there - no experience at all and none was required. It's very sad since I am a major photo person as I am a scrapbooking consultant, so I can feel your pain at the terrible quality of these photos, as well as receiving terrible customer service. That's the Walmart way though, isn't it? I absolutely despise Walmart, as I feel as if they deceive customers with their pricing promos, bad quality in areas such as photos, auto shop, etc. and they have awful customer service.

Good luck, Tiger

 

[Hannathy]

Actually I had about the same service from a very respected studio. they centered my daughter wrong and cut off half her arm in the pictues. They gave me 2 choices a retake no sitting fee and they would keep these pictures or pay for the "bad pictures" at the original price no discount. I understand your feelings but I think it is pretty standard to offer a free retake or accept the pictures.

I'd have another set done and say we are so pleased with the sugery we wanted to remember how blessed we were or something. Believe it or not but in 20 years it gets very easy to confuse and not notice a month or two difference IMO. Just ask almost any youngest child how many milestone pictures actually got taken at the absolute right time. Sorry about the pictures though.

 

[MrsPete]

I teach photography, and I cannot believe those are professional photographs. The quality is horrible. Aside from the very obvious orange blurr on the sides, the subjects are off-center, and the photographer never should've allowed so much of the dark carpet stuff at the base to remain in the photograph -- it distracts from the portrait badly. In fact, I think the main thing wrong with it is that for two babies sitting side by side, the portrait should've been taken horizontally rather than vertically. Actually, I wouldn't have had them sitting side by side; that's a sure sign of an unimaginative photographer. This picture was taken by someone who knows nothing except how to squeeze the camera's trigger.

Even if the photogrpaher did a horrible job taking the picture, the people at the lab should've cleaned it up a bit before they sent it back to the store. They could've at least cropped it a bit. Cute babies . . . but this photograph does nothing to show them at their best.

Now, having ripped apart your photograph's quality, I'll give you a suggestion on how to get a decent photograph of your daughters' first birthday: Scan your biggest photograph so that you'll have a digital image -- use a high-quality scanner or you'll be disappointed with the results. Using photoshop (very easy software) change the image to a BLACK & WHITE portrait. I know it's not what you set out to have, but it's beautiful and classic . . . it'll allow you to keep the look of the portrait while removing most of the negative aspects. Most importantly, it'll make the orange stripe down the side look intentional -- it'll look like a nostalgic aspect. Crop away the excess at the base and some of the "sky" area. If you're really getting good at photoshop, I'd suggest editing out the busy background and replacing it with a soft, mottled gray; Unlike color portraits, B&W photography looks best with an ultra-simple background. Next, have them printed at a high-end photoshop like Wolf Camera (some people like to print at home, but I think the quality is simply not as good, plus it's very expensive). You have nothing to lose, and you can end up with a photograph that you'll love.

There are companies who'll do this for you (for a remarkably small fee, actually), but they probably wouldn't do it for a recently-taken professional photograph.

 

[MrsPete]

I've always said I don't understand how they can give whole portrait packages for like $4.95 (here in Canada) and now I see why. I can't imagine paying $120.00 to Walmart - sorry not trying to insult you in any way, I just know that their 'photographers' - I use the term loosely, are not trained in photography at all. Some of my high school students have worked there - no experience at all and none was required.

The 4.95 package deal is a loss-leader. They offer the package either at cost or at a loss because they know that most people will buy additional photographs, not just the basics. Often they require that the very first picture taken (usually not the best) must be the package deal. Also, they can require that the package deal be taken with the plain grey or blue background -- most people prefer the cherry blossoms for Easter or the building blocks for birthdays. So . . . few people walk out having paid only 4.95.

You're absolutely right about the photographers having no training. The studios are set up by professionals to enhance the chances of a rookie taking a good picture: The lighting is pre-set and the camera is mounted. The workers -- can't really call them photographers -- are trained in how to switch the backgrounds and how to sell pictures. Many of these low-budget photography places are more about the props than the pictures.

 

[babiesX2]

Thanks, Mrs. Pete, for all the critiques. One of my options was getting a refund and they would give me the copyrights to the photos on disk. I didn't accept that because I didn't think the quality on the disk was that good. Here's an example from the disk:

I was worried that these were too blurry, but now I'm thinking I should have taken the refund and accepted the copyrights. A professional could have cleaned them up and fixed them. When the clerk/photographer gave us problems when we went back, I wanted to take some time away from the situation and go back today and speak face to face with the manager. My husband is the one who paid them $7 and got the package of pics!

How long until their copyright on the pics lasts? Or does it ever end?

 

[babiesX2]

You're absolutely right about the photographers having no training. The studios are set up by professionals to enhance the chances of a rookie taking a good picture: The lighting is pre-set and the camera is mounted. The workers -- can't really call them photographers -- are trained in how to switch the backgrounds and how to sell pictures. Many of these low-budget photography places are more about the props than the pictures.

This is funny because the poses came from my friend who was with us that day. She is a nurse! The "photographer" just wanted them to sit there. My friend dug around through their cabinets and drawers looking for stuff and found the ribbons, the #1, the angel wings, all the props. She set up the poses.

I feel like such a fool.

 

[MrsPete]

Looking at this photograph, it IS blurry. A professional could improve that with photoshop. I also didn't notice the shadow behind them. If you can still get the disk and copywrite, I think I'd go that route. Then you could take the disk to a person who does professional portrait restorations. Most of their work deals with scanning old photographs and repairing damage, and this would be a walk in the park for one of those folks. If you have a Wolf Camera in your area, they could direct you to someone local.

You have a lot to work with here. You are far from ruined.

If these were my pictures, I would go to the trouble since they're 1st birthday pictures and are special. If they were just one in a series of yearly Easter pictures, I'd be mad but let it go.

 

[MrsPete]

This is funny because the poses came from my friend who was with us that day. She is a nurse! The "photographer" just wanted them to sit there. My friend dug around through their cabinets and drawers looking for stuff and found the ribbons, the #1, the angel wings, all the props. She set up the poses.

I feel like such a fool.

Sounds like you really got the dregs of Walmart photographers! I wish you better luck next time.

 

[MrsPete]

A couple of reasons why we wanted the pics -- they are now over 12 months and they must have all their clothes on in the pics. Some of our poses were the "baking" pose and the angel wings where they were only in their diapers. I don't want to put those on the net because of perverts. These same poses can't be recreated now.

I agree that I wouldn't share those on the 'net. I have an absolutley adorable picture of my second daughter in the angel wings, but I don't keep it displayed prominantly in my home.

I don't normally encourage dishonesty, but I see no harm in this type of photograph for a toddler . . . take them to a different studio and say that they're 11.5 months old. The photographer's not going to know, and they're not old enough to correct you!

 

[luv2nascar]

have used them a lot and pics always come out great. Best ones I ever had taken of my girls were from there.

 

[2angelsinheaven]

Wow, that is terrible. I would go above both their heads and demand my money back. The printing cost them very little and to charge you all that money for such poor quality printing is absurd. Please go above them and let us know what happens.
We also had a bad experience with Walmart. They stuck a box in the picture that was wrapped for Christmas, Well when we got the photos we noticed that the box had writting all over the side in the picture (price tags, warnings, etc) we were to say the least disapointed. We were only offered a slight decrease in price, we said no way and never picked up the portraits, only the disk.

 

[jennifer293]

I have taken both my girls there since birth and have never had a problem, BUT I ONLY buy the $6.00 package so if they do mess it up I am not really out that much money. I also buy the CD because they do a bunch of different poses and I can bring them home and print them off whenever I want. I do find that the photographers couldn't really care to be there they just seem to want the paycheck and you cannot blame them but they should at least find someone who is at least interested in the job. I mean they need to make people smile for pete's sake. I normally end up doing all the work to make my kids smile for the pic while they just stand there and push a button. But for 6.00 I cannot really complain!!!

 

[labdogs42]

I would have been so upset! I'm glad you followed through with the complaint to the BBB. Hopefully that will help.

I got my DS's picture taken every month during his first year and we got them done at JC Penney. They did a wonderful job and they always have coupons for $3.99 sheets (any pose, however many sheets you want at that price). The envelope that the pictures come in has a new coupon for your next visit and the tab on the envelope is also a $3 - off coupon for your next order. Penney's allows you to combine all the coupons so you can get some really great deals!! I buy a lot of pictures and I like ot get all the poses, so this works out great for me. The photographers at my Penney's do a great job, too. Give them a try for your next portraits!

 

[labdogs42]

Whose rule is it that kids over 1 have to be photographed fully clothed? Wal Mart's? The state's? I've never heard of that. Just curious! I got adorable pictures of my DS in his diaper at 6 and 9 months. I'm glad I had those taken then!

 

[babiesX2]

Whose rule is it that kids over 1 have to be photographed fully clothed? Wal Mart's? The state's? I've never heard of that. Just curious! I got adorable pictures of my DS in his diaper at 6 and 9 months. I'm glad I had those taken then!

I don't know whose rule it is. I've taken them to have their portraits made every month since July (when Lydia came home from the hospital). This was our 8th time to have their pics taken and we had never been offered the pics wearing only their diapers before. We weren't offered it this time either. My friend found the baking utensils and baby powder and the angel wings in a cabinet. The photographer said that we could do those now, but after their 1st birthday it wasnt allowed.

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Totally separate, but I didn't want to make 2 posts:

I want to add that I haven't been taking them to the Wal-Mart studio because I'm a cheapskate. It was a matter of convenience. We live in a small town and Wal-Mart is our closest affordable option. The closest Sears and JC Penney is 30-45 minutes away. Things have become easier now that they are older, but I had been having such good luck with Wal-Mart that I just kept going there because it was easiest. I never expected award winning portraits, but I never expected the film to be exposed to light and cause discolored streaks down the sides. I understand that mistakes happen. What I don't understand is the way they have handled their mistake. I plan to use JC Penney's for our next pics.