Seriously Odd Question About School Photos

[Anonymous]

At our daycare the photographer took a lot of time with each child, engaged them with toys, etc., took a lot of proofs and was there for two days to photograph less than 70 kids. And they charged $60-$90 for a complete package.
At our school, the photographer took one day to photograph 350 kids. They had packages as cheap as $10 for two large prints. Nobody to help with flyaway hair, no waiting for a smile. My (stunningly beautiful) daughter looked terrible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, i could have written your post. same, EXACT experience. WTF?? i understand that perfection is tough to get, but really? the DCPS (using the SAME company!!) pictures never look like my adorable child! and you have to buy them sight-UNseen!...it's crazy. it may be a problem of volume....roughly getting 300 kids in and out in an acceptable time-frame...our daycare was much smaller.

this year, i'll buy the cheapest package and go to a real studio for portraits.

If you don't buy the photo package, they send home a proof (when all the other kids' packages come in) and the website where you can purchase them!
At least with our company they did. You might try it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We aren't in elementary school yet... but our daycare has been through a series of photographers. The latest was Teddy Bear, and i really liked theirs.

I can say from volunteering at the events, parental involvement is probably key to getting photos done right. So when it comes time for elementary school photos, I'll take time off work so i can help out.

Bravo to you, PP! For those who'd like to see better photos at your child's public school, offer to get involved and help out. Even if you can't take time during the school day to help, you can offer to investigate alternatives to Lifetouch. They exist. Some public schools in DC use Blanton Studios, for example.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lifetouch is ridiculous. There's absolutely no competition. They have the monopoly in the city. They have from pre-k through 12th grade. The school system is vulnerable or needy because it is a QUICK fundraiser for the individual schools.

Again, this is something that needs to be revisited with DCPS as they have approved Lifetouch as a vendor.

We have been to schools in 4 different states, including VA and Lifetouch was used by each of these schools. My SIL's district in Kansas also uses Lifetouch. I think the monopoly is nationwide, not just in DC.

[Anonymous]

That is even worse to hear that LifeTouch has the monopoly in DC. I am dating myself but the days of Earl Howard Studios on Pennsylvania Avenue brings back memories.

My brother who lives in Atlanta stated at their public high school of 2000 they have STOPPED using LifeTouch. They are using school issued digital cameras and taking their own cap and gown photographs. The PTSA invested in a printer and photo-paper. Every person who takes a picture they are responsible to purchase the ink cartridges which average about $19.00 + $6.00 sitting fee.

You are allowed to print out as many pictures as you want on your purchased ink cartridges.

[Anonymous]

I can confirm that you don't need to send in the packet and $$$ ahead of time. They will send you the proofs and an opportunity to buy. I wait every year and buy only if they are good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At our daycare the photographer took a lot of time with each child, engaged them with toys, etc., took a lot of proofs and was there for two days to photograph less than 70 kids. And they charged $60-$90 for a complete package.
At our school, the photographer took one day to photograph 350 kids. They had packages as cheap as $10 for two large prints. Nobody to help with flyaway hair, no waiting for a smile. My (stunningly beautiful) daughter looked terrible.

PP here, our daycare used Teddy Bear Portraits too. Great job but not cheap.

[Anonymous]

Blanton Studios was purchased by Lifetouch.
Be careful

[Anonymous]

The latest was Teddy Bear, and i really liked theirs.

Yes, I must say, that company does a very good job, but the photos are very expensive.

[Anonymous]

who cares? It's a fundraiser for the school. buy or don't buy. your choice.

[Anonymous]

I would like to say that our PTA took the picture taking out of the studio hands. They do it themselves with the art teacher's designed back drop and our own cameras we are turning out fantastic pictures. We just suggest a sitting fee which is cleverly half of your's child's age with no one paying more than $5.50.

[Anonymous]

Does every DCPS school use Lifetouch?

[Anonymous]

We switched to Blanton and liked them a lot. I actually ordered after I saw the pic since they sent home a proof. Interesting about Blanton being bought by Lifetouch if true.

Though my son is bound not to forgive me in the future when he looks at the year (he) choose the green background and I agreed! Don't do it, just don't!

[Anonymous]

The first year at DCPS my daughter's hair looked bad, she was wearing her uniform, and we went with the autumn leaves background. This past year they let kids wear whatever they wanted (i.e. she wore her fanciest party dress) and used the clouds and sky background and she looked great! Not sure if she was just a year older and excited about her outfit or what. Same company, same rush for do 350 pictures in one day...

[Anonymous]

I have relative who lives in Jacksonville, Florida and this year they did a fundraiser call Celluloids 4ur Cellphones. They invited parents to snap a picture of their child with their cell phones. The school scene was the actual classroom, it was an instant hit. How did they raise funds? It was a suggested donation of $5.00 per child. One snap and you can hit send to as many people as you would like. It is more convenient to whip out the phone with photos than the wallet.