someone teach me about shutters

[sheelysmom]

I was reading in my favorite passporter guide that I should go to shutters everyday to "stack" my pictures. What pictures, exactly, am I stacking? I know there are places to go get studio type shots but are there other photographers lurking around? How do they know which photos are for me? My KWC? And, really, what do they mean by stacking?

Thanks all

 

[TJGorman]

There will be photographers around the ship at various times, during dinner, on the deck, at Castaway Cay. The ship develops the pics and puts them out for everyone to browse through. You will need to look through literally hundreds of pictures to find your pictures. What is meant by 'stacking' is putting all of your pictures behind one another and put them back onto the 'shelf'. Then, at the end of the cruise you can decide if you would like to buy them.

 

[sheelysmom]

okay, wow. That's not what I had expected. Do you know if they take pictures of the kids in the clubs when parents aren't there, so we can see the stuff they're doing?

 

[bubbasmom99]

The photos are displayed by event, i.e. all embarkation photos together, all Mickey greetings together, Palo photos, etc. You can pick your photos out of the event groups and then stack them together and then tuck them away (usually the bottom two rows of an empty display case is where we saw most of them). And then wait till the end of the cruise to decide which ones you want, or if you have enough to buy a package.

 

[scrapperjill]

You can also purchase a photo package at the start of the cruise instead of stacking...they give you a punch card with the amout of photos in your package...then you can get your photos as you find them through out the week (and have your punch card punched each time)...One good thing about this is you don't run the risk of having your photos misplaced. The shutters staff has to go through the whole shop at the end of each day and make more room for new photos...so don't expect your "stack" to be where you left it...each day we came back we had to find our stack and locate the new photos...Although for the most part our stack was kept together there were some days it was mixed and scattered... Another good thing about getting the package at the start of your trip is you can get your photos as you find them...and if you find one you'd rather have you can trade it in...or if you end up finding more photos than what your package holds you can upgrade your package to the next level. I'd also suggest that if there is a photo you know for sure your wanting...make sure you get it when you see it. We had our ONE must have photo lost out of our stack on the last day...and I didn't realize we didn't purchase it until we got back home. It was a shot of our DD6 at the Mickey pool on the first day...so it was there all week long....getting shuffled through our stack...and some how ended up out of the stack and missplaced. Next time I'm for sure getting the punch card and taking the pics back to the stateroom as I find them.

 

[lsutigger2]

Dh and I did the punch card option and it worked well for us. since it was the two of us we purchased almost all we got taken. Those you don't want you put in a recycle box. They take lots of candid shots of kids! some are really cute. I loved looking at all the pics every day or so. Like, scapperjill, I would be afraid of the one I wanted most getting misplaced. Keeping up with photos also allows time for 'retakes' if needed, of some events, not all.

You'll have a great time! Dh and I decided that our first cruise in 04 was the highlight of the year for us.

 

[tksbaskets]

We did the punch card as well. I did hear of a few people on the cruise who did loose a few pictures with the 'stacking' trick.

You are able to exchange pictures for one you like better later if you choose. I of course just about bought every pictures the Shutters photographers took of my family. My DH would put our rejects quickly into the discard bin....couldn't figure out a way to get my hand into that

 

[DenverVal]

We had the punch card as well, and didn't buy all we were entitled to, so what they do is charge the regular price for the photos you do choose, and then refund the difference. The package is for only the 6x8 photos: candids, embarkation photo, character breakfast photos, etc. It does not include the 8x10s that they take of you on formal night, those are $10 each, I believe. I wouldn't wait until the last night to decide on your photos, for one, it is very crowded and busy, and secondly, our stack disappeared about the fifth day. We looked everywhere for it, but it was gone. If it's a must-have, get it when you first see it.

 

[American Scrapper]

We also did the punch card and it worked great. They will upgrade your card if you want to buy additional pics, as well as downgrade if you choose not to purchase as many pics as you originally paid for. One thing to keep in mind when going to Shutters is to go during a slow time. Maybe during the shows or dinner if you choose not to do one of these one evening. They seem to be very busy when they first open and right before/after dinner time. Also, the last night could be a nightmare. The space is very small and people are trying to choose their last minute pics. Although sometimes it is unavoidable to stay away that last night because they take pics at Castaway Cay which is usually the last day before disembarking.

Kathy

 

[sheelysmom]

Do I purchase the punch card right at shutters? Does anyone happen to know a ballpark price for that? You are all giving me such great advice! Thanks!!

 

[Miss Kelly]

Ahh.. something I didn't know. Thanks!!!

 

[American Scrapper]

when we sailed in October the packages were as follows:

10 6x8 photos $84.95
15 6x8 photos $119.95
20 6x8 photos $149.95

I have heard that they recently made a larger package, I think 30 pics, but could be mistaken. They do not offer any packages for the 8 1/2 x 10 photos.

Kathy

 

[Jillpie]

Going on our first cruise in April...can someone please explain what you do with 10-20 of these pictures around your home, I mean, do you frame them all or do you just put them in your photo album? I probably will see why you purchase so many, but do you really need this many to hang on the walls?

 

[American Scrapper]

Jillpie, I do hang some or put them up in frames, but most of them I scrapbook. Some may also use them to give to other family members. Trust me, they are usually too cute to pass up. There are pic's taken at the pools, Castaway Cay, the Character breakfast, during Character meets and at boarding. It is a business and they know that usually we cannot part with a photo of our kids, so they take several pics for your viewing and most often purchase. The only way to avoid purchasing is usually to stay away from Shutters! Yeah right! But then I am the mom who purchases all of the kids pics at portrait studios too!

Kathy

 

[coleland]

I want to make sure I understand this: can you not get pictures from Shutters smaller than 6x8?

 

[scrapperjill]

Jillpie...I scrapbooked mine...The only one we framed and hung was a 8x10 formal shot....the rest are nicely aranged in one of my many DCL albums.

 

[sheelysmom]

I'll be scrapping mine as well. I am wondering, though, where do you find frames for the wall in that size? It's not standard, is it?

 

[scrapperjill]

It's not your standard developed size...but it is a reg professional size..I beleive. They do sell frames on board...but they are more of the desk style and not wall mounted. You can also find that size at a photography studio....or even try a craft/frame store.

 

[tksbaskets]

My 20 6 x 8 photos will find their way into a very thick cruise album in the near future

 

[crisi]

Or you take them to Target and have them turned into more "standard size" photos. Ours all "became" 4x6s at Target magically. The photo company is quite generous in handing out a release.