Senior pictures and my 1000th post.

[RNMOM]

It seems it took me a long time getting to 1000 posts, over 2 years. I tend to lurk.

My main reason for this post is my DS#1's senior pictures. Well, I had a hard time getting him to have them taken due to his urge to buck authority and convention. We go to the recommended photo studio in town and the sitting takes about 3 minutes. Okay. I feel like we get the bums rush. He also refused to wear a tie and one of the 3 photographers there tells him he will be the ONLY one in the year book without a tie. Okay.

Well, I go back 3 weeks later for proofs and the woman at the desk tosses 2 proofs up on the counter and tells me which one they think is best. Now, they took a lot more than 2 pictures here. Not to mention, I am in a line of people waiting behind me. I ask about purchasing pictures and she tosses me a sheet. I go sit down and there are packages. Period. I have to purchase a $200.00 package in order to be able to buy the sizes I want. We have very few relatives and he does not want any pictures to pass out. I don't want a 16x20 portrait or any of the other big ticket items. I would like a nice 5x7 to frame and a couple dozen wallet sized. I am not allowed to buy them. They refuse to let me buy a $99.00 5x7 and 8 wallets for another $99.00. I personally can understand how digital imagery had taken a big chunk out of their business but this is rediculous. I go back up to the desk and tell the woman what I want and she keeps telling me I can add them to another package. That total would be about $600.00 for pictures I will never use. I then tell her my son was right. We should have gone elsewhere and we walk out. I assume the yearbook picture will be sent to the school....no one bothered to let me know.

I think I will have him go to Motophoto for a sitting and get some for the few family that will care. I want a senior picture of my first child but not at that price and not with those people.

 

[jsmith]

I can't imagine these people can stay in business-weddings and senior photos are the meat and potatoes of many photography studios-
I had the same issue with getting my senior to go to the sitting but at least we got something for our money-a hour and a half with the photographer, 4 changes of clothes, indoor and outdoor photos-a 45 minutes viewing of digital proofs, print outs of the proofs, access to web based viewing of them for grandparents far away, a some special effects on some of the photos-granted it cost a fair amount but we were very well treated and very happy with the product.

 

[Pooh93]

What an ordeal! I'm sorry you had to go through all of that!

 

[holycow]

can't you just buy the proofs...that is what we did and then I colored copyed them...I am sorry but I just don't think that they take into consideration EVERYONES economic background when they sign up these studios ....It is very unfair...
I'm sure I'll get flame for being so dishonest and stealing money from the photographer but ....well, you have to do what you have to do! and I did!

Good luck to you...
I would also write a letter to the school and the studio telling them about the service you've recieved and the expense...maybe they will change for the future.

Holycow

 

[PhotobearSam]

You might try calling and talking to the photographer that actually took the pictures. I asume you had to pay a sitting fee and this entittles you to see all the proofs.

Say you know he took more of your son than the 2 you were shown. Also tell him/her that you can only afford to buy what you will actually use. That way he might make an exeption...It's better for them to get some money from ou than none.

Were the pictures any good?

Ask to see if the school will get a copy?

PM me if you need and technical advice...I hope I can help

 

[Rock'n Robin]

All I know is what our school policy is (my friend is the yearbook advisor). We have a contract with a local studio, and almost every school around does also. They provide us with a lot of film for our photographers, take pictures of all our activities. In return, all sr. pictures printed in the yearbook MUST be from this studio.
If you want to go to another studio, you may, but you must go to this studio for a sitting for a yearbook photo. No obligation, but if you don't go there you are in the "not pictured" listings in the book itself.
I know a lot of kids who just go there for the yearbook shot and go elsewhere for the pictures. But I know no matter where you go, senior pictures cost a heck of a lot of money. And there are no "small" packages, you are right about that.
I would price out the other studios. If you are not sure if the studio sends the photo you already chose to the school, call them and find out, or call the school yearbook advisor.
Robin M.

 

[d.kurz]

Oh boy...Something ELSE to look forward to.....

 

[bfeller]

Also just had DS senior pictures taken. I feel very lucky. We have to use a certain photographer for the senior picture for the year book but they took their time and we had about 10 poses for each of the two changes of clothes. Total of 20 proofs. They turned out nice. I did see some other kids who didn't turn out as well. We can buy a package or order what we want. Sorry to hear your experience is so rotten.

 

[nativetxn]

This was in 1993 but my son was allowed to choose his own photographer. They took so many different poses, 4 changes of clothing.....<b>all</b> of the pictures were excellent I think we spent about $400 back then but we got a lot more photographs than you described.

This particular photographer told me that we could choose the pose that would go to the year book automatically.

I'd call and ask if they submit a photo to the school automatically and I would find another photographer. How about Olin Mills or something like that? Surely there is a way for you to purchase just the numbers you actually need.

 

[Barb]

The whole senior portrait thing is something I never understood. When I was a senior we took one picture for the yearbook and then you were allowed to buy more of that same picture.
When my sons became seniors, everyone else was going to photographer's studios and having these incredible portfolio's made up. I don't get it. Our high school arranged to have a photographer come to school, take some cap and gown, and some suit coat and tie shots. (nice sweaters/blouses for the girls) Then we were offered packages and individuals of these pictures. That was good enough for me. I could never have afforded putting out that kind of money for pictures along with everything else for senior year. We got some nice pictures with a minimum of fuss.
I think that photographer has some nerve. Like Kath said, I would just verfiy that one of his shots is going in the yearbook and then go elsewhere for pictures. If he asks why you aren't using them, tell him exactly what happened and how poorly you were treated.
Senior year can be overwhelming for parents and students. (I know-I did it three times and I'm so glad it's over!) You certainly didn't need that kind of grief added to the mixture.

 

[Boots]

I broke down and have a giant picture of DS that I didn't really want in order to get what I wanted. I think they do this on purpose. HUGS!!

 

[Dan Murphy]

What a pain in the neck, RNMOM. Terrible business practices.

Congratulations on 1 K.

 

[helenabear]

That sounds like a terrible place to go to, especially for something as important as that! Sorry they were so awful. But congrats on 1000 posts

 

[RNMOM]

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone and thanks Dan.

It is not so much an issue of not being able to purchase the photos, it is an issue of having nothing to do with them. We have just a few living relatives and DS is not interested in trading photos like I remember we used to as kids.

As I mentioned. I would love to have a nice photo to mat and frame and a dozen or so wallet sized to include in holiday cards or his graduation announcements. I bought only a dozen announcements as, again, there are no people to be sending them to. Both DH and I have a couple brothers and sisters out of state. All parents are gone. Aunts and uncles mostly gone. Just a few cousins we only see at funerals and such. I feel like I am pushing for grad gifts if I just send out stuff, you know? Most of these people are not nearly as well off as even us and I just don't feel it is fair to do that. I know this kid would rather have a private family event for graduation, probably he'd say give him the money and he would go camping with a buddy.

I agree it is poor business practice. This studio is the only one in our town and is very old, family business. I agree, I will just find another studio to have some great photos taken that I love. Perhaps I will have both kids done together again one last time also.

Thanks for letting me vent. Not a very good topic for a post of such importance.

 

[Lucky4me]

I went through something similar for my sons senior picture. We ended up at Olan Mills for about 1/4 of the cost. He was not into the 'modeling' aspect of it at all, so they only took about 6 different shots. We ended up with a nice package that included an 8 x 10, a couple 5 x 7's, and 20 wallets for around $60.

Next year I am sure we'll need the big bucks for DD who secretly wants to be a model! She will have no problem changing clothes a dozen times.