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Original poster

Has anyone had one of those family portraits done at tghe photographers? Are they any good?

18 replies

mumatuks · 08/02/2006 08:41

Well, my subject line says it all really.

I'm thinking about getting something like that done as we are a complete family now. DS2 is old enough to be sitting up and smiling.

How much is the going rate? I know the websites list their prices, but I just wondered what is a good price to get?

Has anyone been to a really good one the would recommend without hesitation?

Thanks for your time.

OP posts:
Elf1981 · 08/02/2006 08:45

I know a couple of people who have used Olan Mills. My mum took me and my sisters for pictures there a few years ago, my Aunt used them for herself, her DH and DD. I think my sister in law used them as well for her family portrait.
I'm looking to use them when DD is a bit older.

Elf1981 · 08/02/2006 08:59

Oh, mumatuks, where abouts do you live?

Original poster
mumatuks · 08/02/2006 09:00

I'm currently in Essex, but have family in W.Yorks which I would like to include too.

I've also heard of Olan Mills and that they were good.

OP posts:
Helen38 · 08/02/2006 09:42

We had ours done at a venture studio, they are a bit different not your formal portrait but lots of fun and we have got some lovely pics. Kind of pricey but something we will enjoy looking at forever.

robin3 · 08/02/2006 09:46

Helen, I heard Venture is commercial suicide. They take fantastic photos and then sit you down and show you them in plush surroundings...cheapest is £70 and people end up spending thousands of pounds. Is this an exaggerated story I was told?

LadySherlockofLGJ · 08/02/2006 09:48

Robin3

Venture are a very hard sell.

Original poster
mumatuks · 08/02/2006 09:50

Thanks for that everyone! Very helpful, and we definately haven't got £1000's to be spending on photos!

Still looking into it, and not rushing in to anything!

OP posts:
Helen38 · 08/02/2006 09:54

No they do cost loads is true. We had a boots experience family portrait a couple of xmass ago, it took us nearly a year to get around to it but went. Session was really fun and the kids loved it evends1 who hates cameras. Then you go back for a viewing and get to choose a photo that's your present but..... they are all so lovely that they count on you not being able to resist buying some.
We were not going to buy any, but when it came to it there were some of our boys that were so lovely that DH said we had to have them so abused the creit card
But they are lovely and everyone who comes into the house comments on them, if you can be strong and only get the first one that's cheap then they aren't expensive

Trouble is about to have baby no 3 so will we have to go back???????

welshboris · 08/02/2006 10:02

Venture is expensive but well worth it

eidsvold · 08/02/2006 10:06

we had some done here in Aus as we had a voucher that was part of the bounty pack - for 4 free sittings - one per six months and a free portrait.

The first time we did the whole family - dd2 was 2 months old - fabulous we bought the whole set .... last one was done when dd2 was sitting up and was just the two girls - just bought some small ones as well as our free large pic.

They are worth the investment. OUrs are beautiful. The next one will just be dd2 as it will compare with a formal nursery pic that was done for dd1 at the same age. That time we will only get the free one.

Elf1981 · 08/02/2006 10:21

I had a Boots experience day brought for me at Xmas by my DH, but it's only Mum and Baby. Mum gets makeover, two pamper treatments, then a photoshoot with Baby. BUT it's only in Nottingham. Cost £60, get a couple of prints free, then option to buy more.
Not had it done yet though.

dexter · 08/02/2006 10:34

Have to stick up a bit for Venture - our experience was good. The session itself was REALLY well done - exactly what we were after because I loathe 'posed' photos. Wanted something that was more real, and the photographer was brilliant - he just captured us doing all our own little things that we do, the games and rough and tumble specific to us!

the photos were lovely, and the viewing session WAS in plush surroundings with a coffee! But I didn't find it hard sell at all, the woman was keen to help me get what I specifically wanted. The trouble is they are very expensive so even without a hard sell you can pay hundreds of pounds. If you want the posh arty style framing you can pay thousands (not me!!!) However it's not something I'm going to do very much so I felt it was worth the investment. The quality of the photos I got has been great so I don't feel cheated at all.

My friend had a venture party where you pay I think £35 for a £125 voucher, so this takes off a chunk of the price. I'd use them again maybe for a landmark occasion but not just for family photos.

tinkerbellchelle · 08/02/2006 19:51

We used venture, we had a £25 gift experience worth £125 but we ended up in total buying near on £1000 of pictures but there was no hard sell at all and the pictures were amazing.

Posey · 08/02/2006 19:54

We had a photo experience bought for us for Christmas. Valid for a year so waiting for he winter pallor to lift before getting it done.

sammac · 08/02/2006 20:00

We used Venture and it was a really fun time with lovely photos. We did think that it was a hard sell with the dimmed lights, music and coffee and the most amazing pic of ds left to the last which made me cry. In saying that we only bought 2, dh much stronger at not going overboard.

At a party at the weekend, the family had almost identical ones done but by a local photographer and another woman commeted that she had the same by yet another one. So maybe if you look into local photographers will be able to get similar at cheaper prices.

u48674 · 09/02/2006 12:33

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sharklet · 09/02/2006 14:31

Depends where you are but I'd higly recommend breath photography - based in berkshire. They're different like venture - but not as formulaic and not as expensive but as creative.

IlanaK · 09/02/2006 14:39

We had a voucher for Venture last year and it was a mixed experience. The photos are lovely but really pricey.

My nursery had a photographer in for the kids who did venture style photos that were lovely for a fraction of the cost.

So shop around!

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