School Picture Vent

[MickeyHereWeCome!]

Schools in our area do fall and spring pictures. They have generally offered a multi child discount (3 or more) kids, so I was excited to get some sort of discount last year when my 3rd started elementary school (pre k, 3 and 5th). Wouldn't you know...they changed it to four or more kids....IN THE SAME SCHOOL. How many of us have four in the same school? I have four kids, but they will never be in school together.

I get the cheapest package. Even so, I always spend at least $100 total in the fall. In the spring, they take the class picture and send home the whole package for you to choose from. I liked that because 2 of the kids took not-so-good pictures, so it was much easier to pass on all but the class picture. In the fall, we have to pre-order, so you never know what you'll get.

 

[JOCAmom]

I am dreading school pictures this year. All 4 of my kids are in school this year. And my crazy (in a good way) stepmom thinks she needs 8x10's of each of the kids. Not happening this year. It's just too expensive. Maybe I'll take all the kids to Walmart and get a bit 11x14 of the group to make her happy. LOL

 

[DVCBELLE]

Our spring pictures are always way better than the fall pictures - they are the personality photos.

I hate school pictures though! I prefer to take my kids and get them in a shot together and then seperately. When I go through school - the photos usually stink and they aren't together. But of course - I am the worst mom in the whole school if I don't buy them...

 

[SandrA9810]

If I want to see the picture, I'll open the year book. My family only paid for pictures every few years. And I still hate them. I appreciate the family taken pictures a lot more. At least in the year book it stays closed.

It's not like you have to buy anything for your kids picture to be in the yearbook, and those things are highway robbery.

 

[tammyandtommy]

Last year we did no school pics and no family pics, we saved our money and got pics taken at WL with the resort photo pass! 75 dollars with our DVCdiscount and we got a cd of all pics and 5 5x7's! Usually 100 dollars without dvc discount!

 

[eatatmidnight]

I quit buying school pictures. I have my kids dress in a school outfit and we go to JC Pennys portrait. After using the coupon, we get all the pics in all the sizes each family member wants and its less expensive than buying the smallest school package. What's better is that we get to preview and choose the shots we like.

 

[maggiew]

Just wait until senior year pics! I know they are expensive, but they are the last ones for my daughter...well, at least for high school.

My school required us to go to a SPECIFIC photographer for senior pictures if we wanted the picture in the yearbook!!! What a racket!!! We went for the obligatory yearbook picture, but I didn't buy any pictures from them.

Maggie

 

[RALuck]

I NEVER buy the fall pictures because of the pre-pay requirement,we do have spring ones that are generally better and you see before you buy. This year, we will be in Disney when my DD's 8th grade pictures are scheduled to be taken. Now I am just hoping they will do a yearbook shot on the make-up day even if I do not order any pictures.

 

[ma2jr]

All good points. There just isn't anything special/different enough about those photos to warrent the pricetag.

 

[pamjb]

My school required us to go to a SPECIFIC photographer for senior pictures if we wanted the picture in the yearbook!!! What a racket!!! We went for the obligatory yearbook picture, but I didn't buy any pictures from them.

Maggie

I think all HS's do that. I was lucky enough to have a coupon for the sitting fee for his senior portrait. Had them taken, picked a nice one for the yearbook and then went to Penney's to have the rest taken. Friends of ours spent $600 on senior portraits thru the yearbook photog

 

[rsschneck]

It is amazing to me that different areas of the country charge different prices and the pictures are all taken by Lifetouch.

Last year DD was in 6th grade and started in a middle school in Oregon. We paid $31.50 for her pictures.

This year we are in Texas and the same amount of pictures with the same re-touch is $66.00.

Are you kidding me we are paying over double what we did last year. I am expecting we might need re-takes too because they waited until 7th period to take their pictures and DD has Gym class 6th period. She said she was all sweaty from running in Gym class and for $66.00 I want decent pictures and not the ones that look like a driver's license mug shot!

 

[PixiePlanner]

We started ordering the Class Picture Only last year. You just write CPO on the envelope and enclose the fee: for us $6.

DD is having her picture today. DS will probably be in a couple weeks. For me to buy what I need for grandparents, etc, I would have to spend about $50 each. Not happening. I will take them to Target with a coupon.

 

[richmond282]

The only reason I buy ANY school pictures at all is I know it's a fundraiser for the school. Our school gets 40% of the package price (I think). I usually buy a fairly small (but not the smallest) package. I'll get more pics done later at Walmart or Sears where I can see what I'm getting and choose different poses.

 

[HLDisney]

We have both fall and spring pics, too. The first year or two, I bought both sets. Now, I just buy the cheapest package in the fall that will allow me to get the class photo and I pass on the spring photo. Yes, we do get to see the spring photo before buying, unlike the pre-pay plan of the fall photo but to me, the fall photo with the class picture is the more "official" one for me so that's the one I get. I get a kick out of looking at my old class photos with the outfits and hairstyles I wouldn't be caught dead wearing now so I figure my DD can have the fun of that when she's an adult

Helen

 

[defendthehill]

We don't get school pics. Portrait Innovations is the place we go.

 

[denisegold]

I have come to the opinion that school pictures are a rip off, and borderline scam. Around here, you are required to pay for the photos before they are even taken. (and yes, there are fall and spring sessions!) Most schools use LifeTouch, and how it works is: LifeTouch and the school set the prices, according to how much $$ the school gets. That is why different schools are different prices. LifeTouch offers kickbacks- that is why most schools use them. If you don't believe this, google for more info- I have researched it. My husband is a prof. photographer and I approached my daughter;s school about us doing the school photos (and still having it be a "fundraiser") but the parents would get a local, professional photographer, for a lesser price, who knows the kids. The principle couldn't do it, because LifeTouch can offer more $$ back, no matter what. Most people I know do not like LifeTouch, or their photos (some do, of course). Their prices are outrageous, and they send home those stupid things that kids want (stickers, bookmarks) so you will have to pay for them. If you are not happy with the "big guys" doing your school photos, encourage your school to try to local professional photographer, and support small business in your area. (Oh yeah- and no, I don't buy the school photos!)

 

[denisegold]

My school required us to go to a SPECIFIC photographer for senior pictures if we wanted the picture in the yearbook!!! What a racket!!! We went for the obligatory yearbook picture, but I didn't buy any pictures from them.

Maggie

It's actually illegal in most (but not all) states for schools to require you to use only their photographer for yearbook photos (I live in one of the states where it is illegal). When my oldest daughter was senior, her school informed the students they were required to use LifeTouch for their photos. Found out later that is illegal. My daughter did have her senior/yearbook photo done with them- it was $15 just for the yearbook photo- the cheapest package after that (to get any photos) was $400- I am not kidding. (no, I didn't buy the photos!)

 

[stczt]

Every Wednesday for the last 3 weeks I have had a child doing school pics. !st week was middle school he came home and told us picture day was in 2 days. Last week was high school, he brought home an order form the Friday before, as if I am crazy enough to pay for pics I haven't even seen.(whats up with that) and today is elementary school, and she brought home a paper last week letting us choose backgrounds and poses. And all the pics are sooo over priced to be able to get 1 8x10 and 1 5x7 for each kid I would have to spend a fortune. I think I may go and spend the same amount to go to Olan Mills and get several poses of each kid.

 

[3boymthr]

It is amazing to me that different areas of the country charge different prices and the pictures are all taken by Lifetouch.

Last year DD was in 6th grade and started in a middle school in Oregon. We paid $31.50 for her pictures.

This year we are in Texas and the same amount of pictures with the same re-touch is $66.00.

Are you kidding me we are paying over double what we did last year. I am expecting we might need re-takes too because they waited until 7th period to take their pictures and DD has Gym class 6th period. She said she was all sweaty from running in Gym class and for $66.00 I want decent pictures and not the ones that look like a driver's license mug shot!

Not all are by Lifetouch. That's one of my problems.

My kids (all live with me and DH) are technically in two different school systems; younger 2 are in town schools oldest is in three town regional school. And the two school systems use two different photography companies so I don't get to take advantage of the "family discount" that both companies offer (buy two packages get third free) - Which the one year I was able to use it saved me $50. It also bugs me that they use the two different companies because then I get different standard backgrounds and different standard poses.

I've never used re-touch and buy the most basic package I can to get the photos I need (DH parents are split so I need extra of the big photos) and always end up with more wallet and other little photos than I want. I'm hoping they offer the CD this year as a solo last year only the Oldest had that option and you had to buy the $50 package to get it so no savings for me .

 

[Halloweenqueen]

Funny that I found this thread this morning. As my son is leaving for the bus stop today he informs me that it's picture day.

Luckily I did a fast scan-his clothes were fine, no logos, etc. He never came home with information. This is his first year at this school (middle) and told me that I pay when the pictures get printed.

Hope he is right.