I didnt not like my kids photo session, i told the photographer a number of times he was being to rough with my boys to the point 1 of the female workers told him to take a break and appologised to me and took over.... then when to pick up my photos today.... 10 photos of one son 3 of the other.... they looked unprofessional. You could see my sons jocks in some ( they gave me cloths for them to wear which were clearly to small) all they care about is money..... i had taken 800 with me knowing they would be expensive.... but i did not like one..... i just thaught it was me.... but the 2 girls trying to sell them to me also commented that they looked poor

Approximate cost: $0

As per most childrens photography businesses, these guys set up in shops and try to grab you as you are going by. No issue with this. My mum handed my son over while I was busy in another store so I went along with the "free sitting/free print" thing to keep her happy. When I went in to view the images, they were ok, and, as I'm sure would be the case with most parents, they were of my child so I was swayed into purchasing them, on a payment plan as I couldn't afford them at the time. Everything to this point was fine. The staff were friendly, not pushy and well informed. My only issue was one of the photography staff smelt incredibly strongly of cigarette smoke and that made me a bit uncomfortable, but what can you do?
When I had enough money, after tax return time, I called up and made the full payment so that I could get my 10 images and USB of all 20 images they decided were the best of the bunch. Again, to this point, no issue. I was told the parcel of my purchase would be sent as soon as the payment cleared.
This is where my issue began... Firstly, 12 business days later nothing had arrived. I called up, to be told that "it was all posted yesterday". Really? Not good enough. But ok, I figured at least I was getting them.
When my package finally arrived, huge issue. They had sent the USB, but somehow managed not to send the 10 prints. A problem for me when I had arranged for people who wanted the prints to come round and collect them (based on the tracking information from Australia Post). Another call to the company. Basically get told, whoops, don't know how that happened. We will fix it. Please tell us the images you wanted again, because we have lost the information. Wonderful. So, I email them my selection, with a request to confirm that they received this email with my selection. Do not get any such reply. At this point, I'm a little annoyed, so I decide to look up their complaints policy. It says, along the lines of, we try to provide excellent service, please let us know any issues and we will begin investigating immediately. Well, all I can say is, this may be the case, but if it is, they won't inform you of it at any point. I submitted my complains, as per their preferred method, and a month later, had heard absolutely nothing from them. Not an apology, acknowledgement of the complaint, nothing at all.
A week after I advised my selection the photos arrived and that is it.
Whilst the photos themselves are acceptable and the service provided by the people with whom I did speak was always friendly, I will never have anything to do with this company again now that I know how lightly they take genuine feedback.

Approximate cost: $590

I was approached by one of 'imagine that photography's' very friendly staff whilst shopping with my child. I decided to accept their offer of a free photo shoot knowing the cost of such would be well integrated into the price of their products.

It took three weeks before I was able to return to view my images.The pictures were of a good standard and there were several that I liked. Next came the cost and the sales pitch!

I am no fool and was expecting it to be costly however I was still surprised at how much they were charging. They select the images (which I don't agree with but understand that is the only way they can insist on their buy today or never tectic) and print them out as 6x8 (I think) photo's charging an unreasonable $75 per photo! They offered several packages, the cheapest starting at $590 ranging to just shy of $1000. These packages included approx 10 6x8 prints with a variety of coffee table books and or larger canvas prints etc.

They utilise car salesman techniques for selling their products advising you that this is the only opportunity you will ever be given to purchase the prints... today with their special package deals! Unless prompted they do not readily offer up the opportunity to purchase the copyright to your photo's enabling you to be able to print images for yourself.

I chose the package that included the digital copy of my images to give me the ability to make prints as I wanted.... which I paid substantially for!
I disliked the fact that I was unable to choose which images I liked and wanted to be printed and in what size/s I preferred. The magnets and key rings which you can purchase only at the time of the photo shoot are chosen by the printer so you have no say what so ever in the final outcome. Sadly I disliked the images they used and they will not allow you to change the images after - I feel this was also rather poor customer service.

I don't begrudge any business making a fair profit however I do consider their costs to be excessive and bordering on greedy. They take full advantage of parents (predominately Mums', as we're the ones most often out at the shops with the children) love and admiration for their little ones. I would have felt happier paying the amount if I thought the lovely photographer was actually receiving most of the benefit for her photographic skill and talent but I suspect this is highly unlikely.

At the end of the day I did purchase the cheapest package of printed and digital images as I am the sentimental kind however I will learn from this experience and shall not accept any future offers from chain photography companies.
I will instead find a reputable private photographer locally and arrange a shoot which will also better reflect us personally - whilst I found the outfits and costumes they had quite cute I was aware at the time that many of them did not reflect my child's nature and personality.

Overall some nice images however they were definitely greedy with their charges and I REALLY disliked the their panic, impulse selling techniques.
Also please be aware that unless you VERY specifically document it on your agreement they retain the right to use your child's images as they see fit without your permission - this is not unusual but is a point I think people need to be aware of as not everyone is comfortable with images of their child being used in any manner without their consent.

Approximate cost: $600-$1000