Studio London Promotion

Abi24

Hi all, my first post - be nice!

I model and do beauty pageants (when i'm not studying at uni) so I have quite a lot of experience of photoshoots etc. The first thing I will say is that the capital outlay on hiring photographers, makeup artists (referred to as togs and muas from here), studios etc is huge. They need to make that money back somehow. However, it is important that they provide a service worthy of the prices they charge.

Would I have paid for a shoot with them? No - I have contacts who will shoot me free of charge or pay me to shoot.
Would I pay having read this? Definitely not! Shoots are meant to be fun with fab results.

If you can afford hundreds on mediocre photos, good for you. You'd be better off spending your money on a top notch tog who will give you the shots you want at prices that better represent the product. Those of you on a budget - fear not. Your best bet is to mingle and keep an ear open in the photography world to see if new, up and coming togs need to add to their portfolios or established togs need updates - I did this to start with and some of the best shots in my portfolio came from a shoot like that.

Oh and if anyone still wants a good studio photographer (varying budgets), PM me. I may know the right person for you.

Abi xx

Freddie_Snowbits

kaych wrote: »

How did they get your phone number?

OP was pinned to the floor by 5 heavies, who rifled the pockets until it popped out. Simple

simplyanna7

Hi i need your help asap!! I got a phone call from them on Wednesday that a friend of mine recommended me to them. I paid the deposit (£25) over the phone using my card. I have something like 7-10 day to have a full refund if i changed my mind. - What do you think i should do? I'm really confused, i'm a uni student and i can't afford to lose the money and i heard how they really put pressure on you in buying the photos. At first i thought it be cool but now i'm regreting it - i'm not exactly model material!

Fuzzy_Duck

simplyanna7 wrote: »

Hi i need your help asap!! I got a phone call from them on Wednesday that a friend of mine recommended me to them. I paid the deposit (£25) over the phone using my card. I have something like 7-10 day to have a full refund if i changed my mind. - What do you think i should do? I'm really confused, i'm a uni student and i can't afford to lose the money and i heard how they really put pressure on you in buying the photos. At first i thought it be cool but now i'm regreting it - i'm not exactly model material!

If you haven't already, read the Terms and Conditions on their website. Some of these places have some harsh Terms and Conditions, such as charging you £50+ if you don't turn up or want to change the date. If this is the case you might want to consider that losing £25 is better than the potential of losing even more and all the hassle involved.

If you do go, just remember that they can't force you to do anything. It might be an idea to leave your card/s at home and take a minimum amount of cash so you can't possibly spend money you don't want to spend. They make their money by charging ludicrous prices, but as they'd rather get something out of you rather than nothing, you can keep telling them you're a skint student and they may give you one picture for a much lower price.

It is fun to get your hair and makeup done and strut around in front of the camera, but don't let the hard sell ruin your day. When you want to leave, do so, don't be intimidated. And above all remember if they give you lots of compliments, a common one being "you could be a model, but you need a portfolio so you should buy all of these photos", they are lying. Models do not have to pay for a portfolio- if they show promise they have it done for free.

Catlover18

simplyanna7 wrote: »

Hi i need your help asap!! I got a phone call from them on Wednesday that a friend of mine recommended me to them. I paid the deposit (£25) over the phone using my card. I have something like 7-10 day to have a full refund if i changed my mind. - What do you think i should do? I'm really confused, i'm a uni student and i can't afford to lose the money and i heard how they really put pressure on you in buying the photos. At first i thought it be cool but now i'm regreting it - i'm not exactly model material!

Hi simplyanna7

I had a call from them today too. I was just curious to know what you did? Did you go ahead? Also, do you know if there is a 7-10 day period in which we can cancel the booking and still get the booking fee refunded? I couldn't find any T&Cs on their website. If iI can cancel I think I might do this as I can't be doing with hard sales!

Cheers.

SophieAnn

Hi

(Just as a note, I get no financial offering from the club for what I am writing. I only offer my experience.)

Well, I accepted the offering. A free makerover sounded fun: two hours of fuss and attention. I reserved the whole day so I was prepared. I knew the photos were going to cost, and I had it in mind, that if it exceeds a certain amount, I would decline.

I didn't much appreciate the shortness of how I was contacted, and I think this nearly put me off the entire thing: giving my credit card details to a stranger is not something I do willingly. (I wrote this on their comment form after, saying it would be better to have a system whereby someone can ring back using a computer link via the main website and then be put back through). As I have already said, unlike the previous writier, I wasn't promised a free photo, and so I was under no illusion about this.

Having said all that I accepted, and then was in some doubt because of all the comments I read here. As a result, I checked the bucks fizz drinks were free, and were told that they were. Indeed, there was no charge for this at the end of the day.

I was slightly late arriving, and so missed out on the champaigne they usually offer, but this was mostly my fault for being late. The staff were friendly and welcoming right from the onset, and forgiving for my being slightly late. I had many smiles, they were talkative and attentive. They asked me what I wanted done at each stage. I felt the eye makeup was a little heavy, but she was more than willing to change it and soften it down. After I had my hair done, I requested some more power to the lips, and even though it was against their system, they allowed me to have this for perfection.

As I was having my hair done, the hair 'dresser' was chatty and attentive to me all way through. I really enjoyed this, and without noticing almost two hours had passed between the time I walked in and being ready for the photoshoot.

The photoshoot was downstairs. I have to agree, the corridors were rather narrow and it could have been made to look a bit nicer: out of main view of the shop window it seems as though it is the area which has little attention. The changing rooms were also far too small, and again I noted this down at the end.

Aside from all that, I enjoyed the photo shoots as well. The man was friendly, lively and had creative ideas. He spoke clearly, and was encouraging with different poses. He said to just have fun with it, and I agreed. Despite the corridors, the photo rooms themselves were nice, fun and varied. One is pure white with steps, another is a soft red, with a deeper red bed upon it. Another has a chair.

I was surprised I had to wait 90 minutes for the photos to be ready, but I was also told at the beginning to allow six hours for the whole thing, so it did fit neatly into that. I did appreciate the opportunity to wander around London for this time, and not be confined to the office.

On return, I awaited the photos in a separate area. It is important to note to people that if you don't wait for the photos and just leave, you will loose your deposit. I had a further 25 minutes wait which I felt was a little long after returning, although there was a wide screen TV to pass the time. I put in their comments section that they could use a few more magazines and newspapers in the waiting area. Then again, one can just bring a book, if you understand there will be waiting involved.

I really liked my photos. I am no model, but my hair and eyes frizzed up, they did look something special. I was offered things well beyond my financial means, and I politely declined. I had already discussed pricing with them on the phone, and they said that we talk budgets as we go. I chose the photos I liked, then was told to get them in an album would be several hundred pounds. Again, politely I declined.

I ended up buying two photos on disc, for a much smaller amount. I really liked them and they reminded me of this wonderful day. I wouldn't call what they did 'hard sell'. I knew I always had it in me to refuse should I wish, and the deposit returned and I had an open mind to buying a couple of photos if they came cheap enough.

It was a magical day out for me, and one I shall remember for a long time. I felt special and was well-treated throughout. I have described my day in detail for anyone else wishing to follow suit. Yes, the main emphasis is the photoshoot. If you enjoy that sort of thing and you aren't being charged - go for it! Enjoy yourself, let your hair down. The photos don't come cheap, but if you are on a budget, you can probably afford a couple if you are willing to part with a few notes. Have a figure in your head of what you are willing to pay before you go, and you'll be fine. At least, I was.

Hope this helps
Sophie

ps. I didn't put a single name down on their advertising form, lol.

sharnad

SophieAnn wrote: »

Hi

(Just as a note, I get no financial offering from the club for what I am writing. I only offer my experience.)

Well, I accepted the offering. A free makerover sounded fun: two hours of fuss and attention. I reserved the whole day so I was prepared. I knew the photos were going to cost, and I had it in mind, that if it exceeds a certain amount, I would decline.

I didn't much appreciate the shortness of how I was contacted, and I think this nearly put me off the entire thing: giving my credit card details to a stranger is not something I do willingly. (I wrote this on their comment form after, saying it would be better to have a system whereby someone can ring back using a computer link via the main website and then be put back through). As I have already said, unlike the previous writier, I wasn't promised a free photo, and so I was under no illusion about this.

Having said all that I accepted, and then was in some doubt because of all the comments I read here. As a result, I checked the bucks fizz drinks were free, and were told that they were. Indeed, there was no charge for this at the end of the day.

I was slightly late arriving, and so missed out on the champaigne they usually offer, but this was mostly my fault for being late. The staff were friendly and welcoming right from the onset, and forgiving for my being slightly late. I had many smiles, they were talkative and attentive. They asked me what I wanted done at each stage. I felt the eye makeup was a little heavy, but she was more than willing to change it and soften it down. After I had my hair done, I requested some more power to the lips, and even though it was against their system, they allowed me to have this for perfection.

As I was having my hair done, the hair 'dresser' was chatty and attentive to me all way through. I really enjoyed this, and without noticing almost two hours had passed between the time I walked in and being ready for the photoshoot.

The photoshoot was downstairs. I have to agree, the corridors were rather narrow and it could have been made to look a bit nicer: out of main view of the shop window it seems as though it is the area which has little attention. The changing rooms were also far too small, and again I noted this down at the end.

Aside from all that, I enjoyed the photo shoots as well. The man was friendly, lively and had creative ideas. He spoke clearly, and was encouraging with different poses. He said to just have fun with it, and I agreed. Despite the corridors, the photo rooms themselves were nice, fun and varied. One is pure white with steps, another is a soft red, with a deeper red bed upon it. Another has a chair.

I was surprised I had to wait 90 minutes for the photos to be ready, but I was also told at the beginning to allow six hours for the whole thing, so it did fit neatly into that. I did appreciate the opportunity to wander around London for this time, and not be confined to the office.

On return, I awaited the photos in a separate area. It is important to note to people that if you don't wait for the photos and just leave, you will loose your deposit. I had a further 25 minutes wait which I felt was a little long after returning, although there was a wide screen TV to pass the time. I put in their comments section that they could use a few more magazines and newspapers in the waiting area. Then again, one can just bring a book, if you understand there will be waiting involved.

I really liked my photos. I am no model, but my hair and eyes frizzed up, they did look something special. I was offered things well beyond my financial means, and I politely declined. I had already discussed pricing with them on the phone, and they said that we talk budgets as we go. I chose the photos I liked, then was told to get them in an album would be several hundred pounds. Again, politely I declined.

I ended up buying two photos on disc, for a much smaller amount. I really liked them and they reminded me of this wonderful day. I wouldn't call what they did 'hard sell'. I knew I always had it in me to refuse should I wish, and the deposit returned and I had an open mind to buying a couple of photos if they came cheap enough.

It was a magical day out for me, and one I shall remember for a long time. I felt special and was well-treated throughout. I have described my day in detail for anyone else wishing to follow suit. Yes, the main emphasis is the photoshoot. If you enjoy that sort of thing and you aren't being charged - go for it! Enjoy yourself, let your hair down. The photos don't come cheap, but if you are on a budget, you can probably afford a couple if you are willing to part with a few notes. Have a figure in your head of what you are willing to pay before you go, and you'll be fine. At least, I was.

Hope this helps
Sophie

ps. I didn't put a single name down on their advertising form, lol.

How long did they try and get you to buy more photos before you managed to get away with two

Would never pay for one of these as there are usually places offering them for free

Mk14:37

Spam, spam spam spam....

Lyd_2

Address is:
Paparazzi Studios Limited, 120 Great Portland Street, London W1W 6PN. Tel 0207 5801023.
It appears they are also trading under the name of ‘the studio’.

It seems someone I knew (vaguely) got the hard sell from them and gave out all the numbers listed in her mobile phone!?! My friends and I are now getting unwanted telephone calls from Paparazzi Studio Ltd. I’ve emailed them threatening to report them to the Information Commissioner’s office unless they remove my details from their ‘database’ and stop ringing me. I have also registered for the TPS, to prevent any more calls.

See the following links about the poor customers who have used this ‘service’ and learnt the hard way. Scam springs to mind!
Sorry I have had to delete them all as I am an new user and cannot post links.
(4 links deleted)

There are 12 pages of stories on nuisance calls by this company on the last website address!

Lyd_2

I hope this stops the telephone calls once and for all!

Message
From
To: ******
Cc:
Subject: Paparazzi Studios

Dear Ms. ***

Further to your recent email, I can confirm your request to have your number ********** removed from our database has been carried out.

Please be advised it can take up to 12 hours for our systems to complete the process so you may still receive promotional calls until then.

Please accept our sincere apologies for any inconvenience the above may have caused and do not hesitate to contact me directly should you have any further queries.

Regards
K Williams
Bookings Team

0207 323 5888 option 1

Paparazzi Studio Ltd
120 Great Portland Street
London W1W 6PN

Company Registration Number 7348522
Registered in England and Wales
Registered Office: 3rd Floor 90-92 Great Portland Street, London W1W 7NT

From: *************
Sent: 24 January 2011 19:03
To:
Subject: Unsolicited Telephone Calls -PAPARAZZI STUDIOS LIMITED

Dear Sir/Madam,

I received another call from your organisation today on my mobile ********. This is the second unwanted call I have received from your organisation. On the first call I asked your caller to remove my details from your database, but this appears not to have been done, this is against the law. Please can you remove all my contact details IMMEDIATELY from your database. If you do not so this is in breach of two pieces of legislation The Data Protection Act and The Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003.
If I receive any more calls, txt, or email from you I will report the matter to the Information Commissioner.

Kind Regards
*** ***

For further information on the legislation please see the following links
2 Information Commissioners links deleted as per forum rule