Venture photography - Leeds

[Lalaminilala]

Has anyone been to venture photography in Leeds? I “won” (I say that loosely as I’m
aware it’s to lure me in to buy !) a photoshoot and a free small photo. I had to pay a £25 deposit despite “winning” to secure the shoot. At the end of the shoot they passed me the prices of the photos- they are extortionate! I have to go and sit through a viewing of the shoot to choose my free photo. Then I can get my £25 if I don’t buy anything (I hope they don’t make that awkward!) .

Does anyone know if I can pay for 1 imagine from them and if so how much it costs? I’d happily buy an image but couldn’t see it on their price list. All they had listed was £800 for 20 photos.

Thanks

You can walk away with nothing.
I had a friend who used to be a photographer for them. He handed his notice in when he was made to sell photos to a family whose child was dying. He knew it was way beyond what they could afford but he was in some way obligated to do sales (contractually maybe, I can’t remember) and said he couldn’t live with his conscience.
I think your deposit might get you one little picture but they can’t force you to buy more. It’s hard sell though, you need to steel yourself to turn the pictures down.

Oh gosh that’s awful- your friend sounds a good person.

I fully prepared myself that I would probably end up buying an image- but only if I really like the photo as I want to blow it up big (I get it’s how they make their money). We’ve previously spent a lot with their sister company , Mark Swinford , where we’ve bought the usb , frames and prints from- and they charge £99 for 1 image alone - I imagine if they do sell 1 image it’ll probably cost more than this!

It’s a shame as i think if they positioned themselves correctly they’d have more people buying! I will prepare myself for the hard sell- luckily I’m quite detached 😂 and emotionless, but I do hope they will sell me 1 image at a decent price and not make it ridiculous as I will walk away.

I would walk away and lose your £25. I used to use a very good local photographer who would come to the house and do a shoot. Kids were more comfortable in familiar surroundings and she was brilliant with them. She charged a very reasonable amount for the hour and then prices per print were very reasonable.

this is her

https://www.fayehatton.co.uk/

Are they still pulling this 'winning' sales tactic? I was duped into paying for prints at extortionate prices after 'winning' a photoshoot about 18 years ago. I was young and not confident enough to say no. £170 for a 12inch x 15inch print not even in a frame. Did a search online and turns out they're well known for this pushy sales.

Find a local photographer who would do a much better job because they're not working for a shister company like Venture.

Yeah that’s how I feel! As technically I shouldn’t feel awkward at all and be happy to go and take my free photo. But I knew what it would be about.

Ill definitely find a local photographer as I really do want a big blown up piece of wall art but at £2000 for the size I was from venture it’s a no 😂

Sorry you were pressured - I hope the photo was lovely though

Yep, they tried to swindle us as well. Absolute scheisters. In the region of £2k I think. AVOID, AVOID, AVOID