Oh my actual god! - Firstly can I say I never usually have the need to comment online (unless it's the odd Facebook like) but after reading all of these reviews and the point blank insults to 000000blue it got my blood boiling to the point where I felt I had to make a comment...
I reflect the experience of 000000blue as I attended earlier this week with my son (who is old enough to make his own choices but I went for moral support)
I arrived at the Studio and was helped in the door as I am disabled and I am not so good with stairs, a gentleman answered the buzzer and informed us to come up to the very top floor, I informed him that this would not be easy for me as I have limited mobility, he straight away said "no problem" and came bounding down the stairs to help us, he ensured that all of our bags were carried up the stairs allowing my son to help me, he told me that we did not need to come all the way to the top and sat us down on a sofa in front of the television, he asked us what we would like to watch as it was currently on a children's channel, I told him that I liked crime drama and he changed the channel over to an appropriate program. He straight away asked if we wanted a hot beverage and said that he would come back with a form to fill in.
He came back with our drinks and the form and told us that we would be called when we were ready.
My son was called not too long after to go and get some powder applied by a makeup artist, I said I would stay put for the time being as I didn't fancy the last flight of stairs until the photoshoot.
About 15-20 minutes later I was asked if I wanted to come up to the studio and a lovely Asian girl helped me up the stairs and sat me down in the studio on another couch whereby I could watch my very handsome (ok, I'm bias) son being photographed by a gentleman who I later know to be Charlie. My son who has never done anything like this before told me that he was amazed at how comfortable he was made to feel and how he was directed by the photographer in a professional but very friendly manner.
Once the photoshoot was over we went to sit again on now some sofa's upstairs, I was again offered a drink and we were informed as to how long it might be until we could see his pictures.
It was around 45 minutes later we were called into a room with a beautiful blonde lady who looked herself like she could be a Hollywood actress... She informed us in detail about the agency and what my son could do with them, also that he could use other agencies, she even tried told my son that nothing was guaranteed as far as work was concerned, but encouraged him not only to put his pictures on the agency website but diversify and go with other agencies so it gave him more opportunity, she confirmed my own beliefs, which were "you get out what you put in", no-one gets handed the golden egg, the people that have it are those that go out and "get it!", she couldn't have been more open and honest with my son about the chances of work and that things come to those that wait but those that seek it will always be the most successful...
We both had a look through his pictures and I can honestly say, they were some of the best pictures I have ever seen (not just because it was my son) but they were just "to quote 000000blue" "1st Class"...
We were told from the offset that purchase of images were optional but after seeing the skills of the photographer, the professionalism of the studio staff as well as consultant (I think her name was Stephanie, forgive me if I’m wrong) we felt both comfortable in looking at the packages offered, we chose 30 images in total which were at a very reasonable price, considering I had a photoshoot with a friend 10 years ago in another studio in Birmingham (but different kettle of fish altogether) and the package prices were pretty much in and around the same as they were 10 years ago & yet these pictures were in a league of their own and far surpassed what I had, had done over a decade ago, but then again, technology has moved on since then...
In conclusion, I strongly feel that everyone who has given a bad review on here should be ashamed of themselves as we literally could not fault the professionalism of the staff and the quality of the pictures, absolutely not, through any of the day did any us feel "pressurized" into buying anything, they have a very "take it if you want, leave it if you don't" approach, but honestly the pictures are the best part of amazing and worth every penny which we spent, I paid ALOT more 10 years ago for pictures which were not even on the same scale as these.
I agree with 000000blue... You people who complained should take a good look in the mirror and realize that these are genuine, hardworking people, they do long hours and produce some fantastic images, whether you use them with "the agency" or not if up to you as you are free to do what you want with your pictures, no-one is forcing you to buy and if you want to sit and wait for success to come to you, then it might take some time, maybe try putting some work in yourself as obviously the agency already have regular models who they use as they have proven themselves to be reliable and professional, unless you get out there like any job, and prove yourself why do you think you're going to have a Naomi Campbell career handed to you on a plate... I really feel sorry for these people as they are being slated by those people who have spent money and now having "buyers regret" as everything was explained in detail and yet it's now become a typical UK custom to "make a complaint and get a refund"... Let’s get back to our routes, we make a decision and we stick to it... I've always said to my son, if you want to go down the "claim compensation/complain and earn" route... Then move to the US...
Fantastic staff, fantastic pictures!! That's what I will leave you with... & I just hope that these cowboys who want something for nothing get their karma as it disgusts me how the world is going...