Expensive Class Picture

Posted: Thu, Mar 29 2012, 11:29 am Post subject: Expensive Class Picture

So my kids' school had professional pictures taken the other week and they want $17 for each class picture. Seems expensive to me, would you buy it?

Diamond Member Joined: Aug 07 2006 Posts: 2556

I buy the class (group) pictures, even though they are ridiculously expensive, but pass on individual portraits. You could get much better pictures for less at any photo studio. I like to have the class pictures as a kind of memento of the school year.

Posted: Thu, Mar 29 2012, 11:49 am Post subject: re: Expensive Class Picture

Class picture? I would. Great memory that kid always appreciates.

You don't need the individual ones if you take your own pics.
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Posted: Thu, Mar 29 2012, 11:58 am Post subject: re: Expensive Class Picture

I made a mistake big-time long ago when I opted out of the class picture because of the expense (I also thought that every year was unnecessary) - my kids never quite got over being left out that way.

Diamond Member Joined: Oct 25 2007 Posts: 4862

I'd probably buy it, but I'd grouse a little in private.

School pictures are a huge pet peeve of mine. In the day and age of digital photography, I'm not exactly sure what we're paying for -- and in fact, I stopped paying quite a while ago.

Except in a few rare cases, you're not paying for the professional skill of the photographer -- class pictures rarely display any of the artistry connected with the medium. In the old days, you were actually paying for the film, the developing, and the printing. But today, you're really just paying for the printing -- which you could theoretically do at home, at the drugstore, or online.

My son's school used a company out of Indiana one year, and they offered all kinds of great "value added" features that made me happy to pay a little extra. Some of them included:

* A wide range of photo-imprinted gift products that could be ordered online and sent directly to recipients. They offered tons of things to appeal to grandparents, and with each gift, they offered a way for grandparents to order additional photos or gift items by phone, mail, or online. Smart, eh?

* The photographer had an extra couple of hours between the time he finished and the time he was scheduled to leave, so he had the school round up groups of siblings to be photographed together. Some really lovely pictures came out of those sessions, and parents were delighted.

* Online re-orders for up to a year after the photo session.

* Purchase of the actual digital image so that you could make your own prints.

* Slideshows that included each member of the class along with several group photos in Windows Media format.

Now, I realize that many of these services are things you could do yourself. But purchasing a print; scanning it; uploading it; ordering a mug or towel or whatever . . . it all takes time. The company made it so easy and pleasant that I was more than happy to let them make a little profit.

I really believe this could be a huge opportunity for some entrepreneur with decent photography skills.

Moderator Joined: Aug 14 2005 Posts: 4549 Location: Ohio

That's crazy. We pay $9. I would talk to the school about using a different photographer next year. But, that being said, I would pay it. We buy only the class photo. It's a great memento.
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Platinum Member Joined: Mar 24 2008 Posts: 6528

My son's school doesn't do full class pictures.
But they have someone come in the beginning of the year and take a picture of each boy. The school uses the pictures over and over again - like sending magnets to the grandparents, and awards to the grandparents and great-grandparents with my sons picture (they are very PR savy), giving out a gift with the picture by the mother's fundraiser event, and using it in crafts.
I think its a great idea, we get to enjoy the picture, free, and the school makes money by using it in a few fundraisers.

Gold Member Joined: Oct 06 2009 Posts: 1065

I would buy the class picture as well as pass on the individual pictures. I would though put a call or send a note to the school.