some questions re studio photographs

depadz

Hi,

recently had the family at a photographers studio (friend gave me a voucher that paid for the session and one small photo.)

The prices to buy subsequent photographs would seem to me to be very high but I am ignorant of such matters. Not sure if I can post an idea of the prices here or not?

There is an option to purchase an album but I believe that the resolution of the photographs is such that they cannot be blown up and framed independently - is this possible?

Finally, I appreciate that the pictures are the studios copyright but how does this sit with the data protection act? ie. I have no control over what happens to pictures of my kids?

Morlar

fwedrest wrote:

Finally, I appreciate that the pictures are the studios copyright but how does this sit with the data protection act? ie. I have no control over what happens to pictures of my kids?

If you signed a model release - then no you have little control. Its possible that the voucher itseld contained some sort of implied release. If you didn't sign a model release then the studio still owns them but cant - say use them for advertising.

If the photographer used a good quality camera shooting at the correct setting then there is no reason why you can not get A3+ sized prints from the shoot. If they shot in low resolution jpeg or deleted the original files then you wont be able to get a hi-res print without fiddling around (interpolating) which will lessen the quality.

How much are they looking to charge and for what sized prints ?

minikin

Hi fwed,

You don't have any right to print the images yourself. Copyright remains with the photographer, you're paying to have the family photographed not for unlimited rights to reproduce the images.

Don't forget this person has to make a living too! It might seem like a lot to pay for prints (whatever it costs) but more than likely you will be getting quality prints from a professional laboratory that will stand the test of time (won't fade).

Just because they're your kids doesn't give you any more right to print them yourself. Just pick your favourite one, buy the prints, enjoy them.

depadz

well there are various frames etc which obv impact on the cost but for 10 x 7"x6" in an album its approx €1500. Somebody told me that the resolution on these is such that it prevents them from being blown up.

One 10"x8" is €175.

They have a 16 picture presentation/frame which is 3500.

Does this sound expensive?

The only reason we went there was due to being given the voucher by a friend but its obv just a marketing thing to get you in there.

By the way, I didn't sign anything.

depadz

Hi Minikin,

Thanks for the reply.
I appreciate that.. I just don't want to be ripped off and obv would like to know what may become of pictures of my kids.

I am happy to pay for a good product.

But surely subsequent copies of a picture should not cost the same - ie the production costs would be covered in the first one?

Thanks again..

Morlar

fwedrest wrote:

well there are various frames etc which obv impact on the cost but for 10 x 7"x6" in an album its approx €1500. Somebody told me that the resolution on these is such that it prevents them from being blown up.

One 10"x8" is €175.

They have a 16 picture presentation/frame which is 3500.

Does this sound expensive?

The only reason we went there was due to being given the voucher by a friend but its obv just a marketing thing to get you in there.

By the way, I didn't sign anything.

That sounds extremely expensive. imo.

depadz

i should have mentioned that they don't just get you sitting in a family pose like I see in most peoples houses - they get the kids moving around and in different poses etc.

Not sure other places do this?

They bring you back for a preview and you supposedly get a "20% discount" if you purchase there and then. IMO, this is a bit of an unpalatable practice.

Morlar

At a guess I would say their photo shoot lasted about an hour or two - if you buy that 3.5k presentation frame then that works out at €3,500 for 1 or 2 hours work - not bad !

Printing costs are marginal (10 6x7's cost in the ballpark of 30c each on a printer that costs €200) - albums and frames have a significant markup too.

If I were you I would talk to a different photographer -come to an agreement where you hire them to do the photo shoot and the picture processing, pay them x amount flat fee then you get to own the high resolution originals and can print out as many as you like.

Check their portfolio first and make sure they can deliver the kinds of pictures you are looking for. Good luck.

eas

Morlar wrote:

At a guess I would say their photo shoot lasted about an hour or two - if you buy that 3.5k presentation frame then that works out at €3,500 for 1 or 2 hours work - not bad !

Printing costs are marginal (10 6x7's cost in the ballpark of 30c each on a printer that costs €200) - albums and frames have a significant markup too.

I'm surprise at your view of this. I'm not defending this studios particular pricing policy, but your forgetting about overhead costs. ESB, phone, lease, hardware, software, insurance, salaries, advertising...the list of business expenses goes on and on.

There is no doubt that some studios run a highly profitable business, but how much it costs Joe Snapshot to get his prints done on photobox is immaterial.

The prices quoted above seem to be in line with what you pay at high end studios such as Photogenic.

Calina

eas wrote:

I'm surprise at your view of this. I'm not defending this studios particular pricing policy, but your forgetting about overhead costs. ESB, phone, lease, hardware, software, insurance, salaries, advertising...the list of business expenses goes on and on.

There is no doubt that some studios run a highly profitable business, but how much it costs Joe Snapshot to get his prints done on photobox is immaterial.

The prices quoted above seem to be in line with what you pay at high end studios such as Photogenic.

The key word there is "high end".

Morlar

I am not forgetting about overheads - but I don't think every single customer should have to pay ALL of the monthly overheads of a business. Can you imagine if other companies operated on that principle ? I am all for making money dont get me wrong but €3,500 for a 16 picture frame presentation or €1500 for 10 7x6 is a bit much in my view. It amounts to 1 hours studio work, knowing the quality of churn em out studios - they are not going to spend hours and hours chasing perfection in photoshop, if your lucky some auto-adjustments, the print materials are bulk so their printing costs are a fraction of €1,500 for 10 8x6's. I would be surprised if the 10 8x6's (materials wise) cost more than 3 euro.

Rojo

This studio sounds familiar... If its the same one I'm thinking of, one of my mates went there with her family and it's definitely not a "churn em out" studio! They don't do the regular "1...2....3....CHEESE" photos. It's more active and they try to get action shots and stuff.

eas

The key word there is "high end".

yes.....?

If the OP would let us know who the studio is, we'd be in a better position to judge whether or not these prices are what he/she should expect to pay.

I'd be willing to bet (about 5c) it's either Photogenic or Venture

OP? what is the studio?

Morlar

I reckon its photogenic.

depadz

wasn't sure i was allowed name them specifically but you are right - its the V one.

As I say, the session itself was very good and they seemed to get alot out of the kids, kept them moving, loads of different action shots etc.

eas

fwedrest wrote:

wasn't sure i was allowed name them specifically but you are right - its the V one.

Venture - yes, you should expect to pay that much, whether it's worth it is up for you to decide I guess.

They are high end. I've sat outside their shop in Dun Laoghaire on a Saturday afternoon, and there was a steady stream of happy looking people coming out with prints and wall mountings that would have cost a fortune.

It's easy for us to say only an "hour studio time" and all that, but at the end of the day they are offering a specialist service marketed to a clientele that for the most part can both afford it and want it. I personally could not afford it, but can still appreciate it for what it is, a business. Talking to people who have been and purchased some works, it seems price isn't even mentioned unless you ask. Not sure if that's true or not.

Their service may seem less specialist to us of course, cause we are familiar with what's involved. Get a few hassleblads, a fibre optic network, high end printing and framing facilities, a dozen or so professional photographers, a cool room for super chic presentations....oh wait..it's is specialist after all.

Morlar

I think we have different ideas of what high end means- high volume is not high end. Its a franchise operation thats all and its still too expensive - again I dont care what their (hasselblad/fibre otpic) overheads might be thats their problem.

If I were in your position for that kind of money ( €3,500) - I would probably look into flying the kids to eurodisney and getting some shots done there.

eas

Morlar wrote:

I think we have different ideas of what high end means- high volume is not high end. Its a franchise operation thats all and its still too expensive - again I dont care what their (hasselblad/fibre otpic) overheads might be thats their problem.

If I were in your position for that kind of money ( €3,500) - I would probably look into flying the kids to eurodisney and getting some shots done there.

where did I say high volume = high end?

edit

If I were in your position for that kind of money ( €3,500) - I would probably look into flying the kids to eurodisney and getting some shots done there.

I agree.

depadz

thanks for all the feedback.

Affordability aside, I would not spend 3.5K on 16 smallish photos, regardless of the quality. Just gave that as an example of one of their products out of the brochure. Would rather stick that in the old college fund.

I appreciate that they have a business to run etc - but their whole tactic of flogging a cheap voucher to get you in for an hour and then dazzle you with what I'd say will be good pictures while pressuring you with a 'get 20% off if you buy right now' approach is a bit strong.

Anyway, thanks again for all the info.

eas

fwedrest wrote:

thanks for all the feedback.

Affordability aside, I would not spend 3.5K on 16 smallish photos, regardless of the quality. Just gave that as an example of one of their products out of the brochure. Would rather stick that in the old college fund.

I appreciate that they have a business to run etc - but their whole tactic of flogging a cheap voucher to get you in for an hour and then dazzle you with what I'd say will be good pictures while pressuring you with a 'get 20% off if you buy right now' approach is a bit strong.

Anyway, thanks again for all the info.

yes, it seems a touch of bait and switch.....I can see how it would shock people who wouldnt expect those prices....

I'm not advocating this - but I'm sure people get the free photograph, scan it it and then get larger prints made and frame it themselves.....maybe....

AnCatDubh

Hi all,

Long time reader/new to posting here but when i read this i thought oh my good lord! Having read the replies and original post, i reviewed their website and i think i can see why their pricing is eh, how do i put this - maybe high end???

The offer of the moment with them appears to be "For just €50 you get a unique, hour-long studio session worth €75 and a finished, framed 7" x 5" image worth €115." - who wouldn't jump at this. The add on costs appear excessive but i'm sure has it's market. I'm just wondering if their 'true' or target market is such that would initially be tempted by a rather fine deal on an hour's time and finished, framed, 7x5.

20% off if you order on initial viewing??????? Good deal or unscrupulous practice - all depends on your perspective. I guess clients are supposed to go goo/goo/ga/ga/look at the kids/aint they lovely stuff - heck we'd all fall for it. It's one form of marketing i guess with the victim (ahem) client, a unwitting participant.

On the other side of the coin and to be fair to them, their work as per their web site appears creative, innovative, and to a high standard. Although i did notice that their samples are from various studios - of which i couldn't find any from the Dublin ones (they may be there i just can't find one) - all UK? I'm guessing from their samples that they do a significant amount of post processing / artistic creation and i think if you are looking for something different and have a few bucks with nothing else calling on it, then this maybe something for you.

My guess is that if you are a reasonably average individual like the rest of us then their add ons may be attractive, nice, desirable but out of the league. (Own up if you happen to own/run an airline company, insurance company, cement factory, etc..!)

I have to say though the lateral thinking of the forum members is astounding - I do like the idea if you did have €3,500 to spare - bring the kids to Eurodisney and get some shots taken there. Heck there may be a few photographers that hang out on these boards that would be prepared to join on your ticket and do the photo sessions for free! LOL ;o)

Best regards.