School Photo photographers and prices?

[Anonymous]

Hi all. I would like to compile a list of school photographers for my PCS.

Our school used https://madisonjamesphotography.com/ the last two years. Beth does great work, however, the prices are what I consider to be high.
The standard package was $45. One digital image only is $65. And then sibling photos cost the same. If one family orders individual packages and one sibling
photo, the total cost would be $135. Only getting the digital images would cost more: $195.

Could you share the cost of your photos? Am I off base?

Thanks

[Anonymous]

Our school uses Freed. It's around $50 for a digital, $100 for the full set of digitals including the class shot. Can't recall the prices for physical photos.

[Anonymous]

Thank you for posting this. My kids' school also used Madison James, and I fine the prices unreasonable. I'm annoyed personally, but I also feel that this shuts out lower-income families from ordering pictures. If part of my $135 were going to subsidize other families or going to the school, I'd gladly pay it, but this is just too much for school photos.

[Anonymous]

We also use Madison James and I didn’t buy because of the prices. The photos are beautiful but I object to paying that much for one digital image.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We also use Madison James and I didn’t buy because of the prices. The photos are beautiful but I object to paying that much for one digital image.

+1.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We also use Madison James and I didn’t buy because of the prices. The photos are beautiful but I object to paying that much for one digital image.

I am with you on James Madison prices. We only bought what was needed for us and grandparents and no one else will get one. That is not how school pictures are supposed to work. the pictures were good, but there were only 2-3 to choose from, so hardly enough to choose the perfect picture.

[Anonymous]

I'll say this about Freed - you do get a lot to pick from and your PTA can help decide the prices depending on how much $$ they want to make from it all. The photos can be great or not so great depending on the photographer, day etc.

[Anonymous]

I've looked into this for my school. Your choices are basically one of the local, more expensive photographers (Freed, Madison James), which generally take beautiful shots and let you choose your favorite from a bunch of proofs.

Or Lifetouch, which is the national mass-market model that is about half the cost, but more hit or miss in terms of quality and offerings.

I'd argue that in this age when we all have cameras in our pockets, school photos are not the be all and end all that they used to be in terms of access to an image of your kid. And that low income families likely aren't buying the photos one way or another (is $20 more affordable than $40? What if $20 is still a hardship?).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've looked into this for my school. Your choices are basically one of the local, more expensive photographers (Freed, Madison James), which generally take beautiful shots and let you choose your favorite from a bunch of proofs.

Or Lifetouch, which is the national mass-market model that is about half the cost, but more hit or miss in terms of quality and offerings.

I'd argue that in this age when we all have cameras in our pockets, school photos are not the be all and end all that they used to be in terms of access to an image of your kid. And that low income families likely aren't buying the photos one way or another (is $20 more affordable than $40? What if $20 is still a hardship?).

$20 is way more affordable than $65 or $100 and would give many more families (low-income or not) the option to purchase.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've looked into this for my school. Your choices are basically one of the local, more expensive photographers (Freed, Madison James), which generally take beautiful shots and let you choose your favorite from a bunch of proofs.

Or Lifetouch, which is the national mass-market model that is about half the cost, but more hit or miss in terms of quality and offerings.

I'd argue that in this age when we all have cameras in our pockets, school photos are not the be all and end all that they used to be in terms of access to an image of your kid. And that low income families likely aren't buying the photos one way or another (is $20 more affordable than $40? What if $20 is still a hardship?).

$20 is way more affordable than $65 or $100 and would give many more families (low-income or not) the option to purchase.

And the photos are mediocre or worse. I have one at a school with Freed and one at a school with Lifetouch and I tend to buy the minimal package from both, but the Freed photos are much better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'll say this about Freed - you do get a lot to pick from and your PTA can help decide the prices depending on how much $$ they want to make from it all. The photos can be great or not so great depending on the photographer, day etc.

This. We love Freed. This year they are offering 50% for students that qualify for free lunch. I’m not sure if Freed is discounting or the school is subsidizing but it’s a great gesture. They also chose more basic photo packages this year.

[Anonymous]

Definitely Lifetouch isn't worth it. It's not even that cheap. The pix are usually pretty mediocre. I like Madison James, she will reshoot if you didn't like the pic and they are very high quality. I think I paid a similar price for Lifetouch pix in fact ($45 range). I didn't really need a digital image.

[Anonymous]

Our PTA does not make any money from Freed Photo.

[Anonymous]

We had school photos done last Fall at Bunker Hill I do not recall the name of the place. But they were affordable at least compared to what is list above. They 3 or 4 packages and alcart ordering. For $50 I received ALL my digital images (4-6 images), 2 8x10, I think 2-4 3x5 & 5x7s some wallets and stickers. They took the 2 best images (one sitting & one standing) and spread them among the prints. They also offered parents in attendance to get a photo with their children (I heard but can not confirm they offered siblings if present at the same time that option as well.) I know it was a local many in the NE area that too them. He had a nice fall themed set up and two women assisting (one with the kids and one watching imagines/ quality the showed up on the computer. They were great at shut eyes catching, clothes laying funny, getting the kids to relax and really smile etc. I have not seen anything about photos this year. I don't know if that was due to low order numbers or if they are doing them later this year. The only down side was they took a while to get back.. maybe 5-6 weeks.. I know we didn't get the photos until after Thanksgiving. I would have hoped to have them to give out at the holiday but other wise a good experience. If I can find the name I will post. I believe the Vice Principal organized them maybe you couldemail her or call her office?

[Anonymous]

Our school uses Liftouch. We have not gotten the photos but I can tell from the website they are going to be mediocre at best. They also charge additional fees to retouch . I thought their packages are expensive especially since they do not retouch and pretty cheesey. We purchased a small overpriced package to give to family and for sleep sake but I’d rather have the option to get good pictures and pay a little more.