Rushed Session & Inexperienced Photographer at Picture People

Posted Sat June 19, 2010 12:00 pm, by sara e. written to Picture People

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We happened to have my husbands' entire family visisting us last week (which is about 7 adults and 3 children (ags 3/2/1) last week and we figured it would be a great opporutunity to get that much needed family portrait taken. My previous experience with the store PORTRAIT INNOVATIONS had been great. They took an hour, took about 70+ photots, changed backdrops, setting etc. They even had a baby wrangler for my 3 year old, so for one she was looking into the camera, smiling, laughing etc. I had made an appointment with them, in which they informed me that they would taken an hour and photograph the family, as well as couples, and chidren (ie a session). They say if something is broken, no need to fix it...well they had no promotions to offer me. My friend had recommened Picture people, and I have to admit their pricing and promotion was tempting enough to make me cancel my APPT at PI and go to PP.

Our appointment was at the Durham NC location, at 1pm. When we got there these were were things I did not like:
a. We were given 15 mins for pictures by the photographer (granted during which two of the three children were crying, but there was nothing to distract them), whereas the couple after us got more than 15 minutes.
b. The photographer was too rushed, and in positioned us incorrectly, so my sister in law's head is covering her husband's chin because she is infront of him (I thought photographers were the experts in poses?)
c. Us parents were trying to have our kids not squirm and look straight, etc and the photopraher said "Please dont focus on your childrenm focus on looking straight", the result of which is that the children are looking in all sorts of directions, scrunched over etc.
c. Going back to point A, since she gave us no input on anything except for where to stand, many of us have crumbled clothes, crooked accesories etc. We were in the high state of stress getting these pictures taken since she was so rushed, and not the warmest person I met.

I don't want to complain about everything, the young man in the front was very helpful, friendly and patient when it came to picking and choosing pictures, but when we came home and reflected on the day and pictures, they were very average for the rare opportunity we had to get together.

Every time I look at that framed picture, I cringe and the uneven scarf I am wearing and my daughter's scrunched positioning, but we can't retake it because everyone is gone now.

I think they need a bigger staff at that location and when photographing children, have someone who is warm and welcoming, not so stern and rushed. There should be more time alloted to large family photo's sessions, even TARGET AND WALMART's photo studio's (where I have also went) gives me alot of time and attention when I go there.

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Re: Rushed Session & Inexperienced Photographer at Picture People by Casmly Posted Sun June 20, 2010 @ 8:10 AM Looking at both of the portrait studio websites, I'm actually quite surprised that you didn't stick with PI. It appears that they don't charge a sitting fee, and the picture special they advertise on their home page appears to be much lower than the prices at PP. I can't imagine, looking at their package price, that their regular prices are any worse than PP's. But obviously I don't know what was available at the time you chose to cancel with PI and go with PP. PP also does not charge a sitting fee. However, neither does Walmart, Kmart or most of the low end chain photo places. And in my experience, many of these places employ anyone off the street that can learn to position a camera. (No insult intended. I know there are those out there that do take their job seriously, but certainly not everyone.) If you want a photographer that will tell you how to position yourselves properly, will make sure everyone's looking in the right direction and smiling...It's probably time to either go back to PI since you had such a good experience with them before, or go through an independent photographer. Reply "They say if something is broken, no need to fix it." by Donno Posted Sat June 19, 2010 @ 7:10 PM Right, and I couldn't figure out the reason you ditched the other place because your "previous experience with the store PORTRAIT INNOVATIONS had been great." It is good to give PP a list of items to work on so that they can improve, but you may want to return to PI for reliably good pictures. Reply Re: RUSHED SESSION/INEXPERIENCED PHOTOGRAPHER by olie Posted Sat June 19, 2010 @ 5:04 PM Did you ask how long a session you'd get for the price? How many poses? All of the things you liked about the first place--the place you canceled--were things you should have asked about when you called Picture People. More staff means higher prices. And there's nothing wrong with "average" pictures. You wanted a cheaper price, and with that you got a short session and "average" pictures. The kids are still very young. Maybe one of the adults can come up with a good family story to go along with the pictures, so that when you look at the picture you don't cringe. Instead, you have a good story and a happy memory of the time your husband's family was all together. Reply