Private Photo Session With Perspectives Studio - Questions!

[Momto3girlsintheCarolinas]

Is the $300 per person just for the session?  If so, how expensive are prints?  How does this work?

[FarreyFamCruzin]

We did a vow renewal on the Getaway on the May 1 cruise. This included the Perspectives photographer and a studio session for our party - so I can’t comment on the sitting fee.

 

in terms of the prices per print, we were surprised to learn that the Perspectives studio is not the same as the ships photographers that are positioned throughout the ship and when exiting the ship at each port and photos taken in the studio can’t be printed as part of other photo packages. The perspective is most interested in selling you a collection of 8 - 12 canvas prints or metal prints that range from $1000 to $2500. They will also sell you the digital images and you give a copyright transfer letter that will allow you to print on your own off the ship. 
 

To get a copy of all of the images (over 250 images) we were offered a package for $2000. This was much more than we had budgeted for pictures on the cruise so we asked for a lower cost package. In the end, we ended up purchasing a package of 24 digital images for $1200. It was a bit of a high pressure sales pitch; I’m confident that if I would have wanted to waste some of my precious vacation time to haggle we could have gotten a better deal, but after spending nearly 2 hours down-selecting the images, we were ready to get back to the fun. 

[Momto3girlsintheCarolinas]

So we did end up doing this on Getaway last week.

 

There is a $300 session fee.  For that, you get as many people in your session as you want.  The $300 does go to your package.  We bought a collection of wall prints (six of them) printed on metal and 25 digital prints (with a release from NCL so that we can use the images how we wish) for a total (including the session fee) of $1300.  

[Sue Do-Over]

When the program first launched, the photographers were hustling guests to sign up for 'free' sessions and assured us that we could buy individual photos.  (this was 1994). 

Daughter & niece got dressed up, and went all over the ship to get photographed.  3 days later, we met the photographer for the presentation... of 24 prints, all airbrushed and perfect, bound into a massive album ... for $2500.  Each.

 

There were lovely individual shots in the mix, but there was no way in heck I needed 24 photos of the one daughter (who had just gotten her senior photos taken).  Thinking back, I seem to remember that the prints were bound in the album... you had to buy loose prints to frame or give Grandma.

 

After an hour of high-pressure 'negotiation' we were 'permitted' to purchase just 3 loose images for $150.  Sister/niece got the same 'deal' from the very exasperated photographer, who took our reluctance as a slam on his skills.  He complained that he had spent hours editing them to perfection, and we had wasted his time.  Almost 20 years later, and I found 2 of the 3 still in the portfolio, but the third is still framed alongside her graduation and wedding photos.

 

TL/DR: before the session starts, be super clear that you know how the photos will be processed, edited, presented and priced.

[Momto3girlsintheCarolinas]

Yes, it is VERY high pressure.  You will need some time to whittle them down to a price package that makes you comfortable.  Their first offer was $2800.  

[kylenyc]

We didn't do a private session in the studio but our experience might be helpful.

We got our pictures taken at dinner and were offered a photo package that we gladly accepted. The price seemed reasonable -- 14 pictures of our choice, 3 picture frames, and digital pics on a USB stick for $175. We could have our pictures taken with any of the photographers stationed around the ship and visiting the specialty restaurants.

On a different night, that same photographer offered us a photo session outside with Gracier Bay in the background. When the day came, the photographer passed us on to a different photographer who took our pictures. The session was 30 minutes. Afterwards, we were given an appointment for a "viewing" of the pictures in their private studio later in the cruise.

The next day we went to view our pictures in the main gallery and only then did we learn that there were two photography teams. Our original photo package would not include the Glacier Bay pictures. We didn't think to have any passersby take our pictures so we felt stuck and concerned, fearing a bait and switch of sorts.

When we arrived for our private "viewing" of the Glacier Bay pictures in the private studio, there was no high pressure sales per se. It was subtle. They know many people like us entrusted our most memorable vacation pictures to their studio. They know that you have to make a decision during the 30 minute viewing session because they are completely booked and there would be no other opportunity.

That said, the pictures were stunning. The 30 minute photo session may have felt short and rushed but the photographer knew what he was doing. We ultimately decided to purchase 14 digital pictures on a USB stick for $400. The pictures were worth the price. The process ... not so much.

Here are the specs for the pics.

Edited June 3, 2023 by kylenyc