Lifetouch Portrait Studios, Inc. Employer Reviews

I worked for Lifetouch school photography in 2012. Typically the year is broken into two seasons, Spring and Fall. Training was poor, we were instructed how to set up the equipment in the time allotted, the basic sales pitch and that was about it. Photography was not really part of the program.

The hours were low at worst and uneven at best, some people – more... getting 40hr weeks while others got less than 10 or none at all. Traveling long distances was normal ware and tare on your vehicle was not covered, and the mileage barely covered the gas used. Pay was very low, although overtime was paid on the rare occasion you were given any.

Towards the end of the season, which was only about 3 months, when hours started to drop off the 'veteran' staff would get more work than everybody else.

Management was very poor, which is where I believe the poor scheduling stemmed from. Being invited back to work for them again seemed more dependent on how good a salesperson you are, rather than about being a photographer.

some kids and staff were nice to work with, others were rude. Rude staff = rude kids usually went hand in hand. The only benefit I gained from this job was help in deciding where I would send my kids to school. – less

learn lighting and digital images with enhancement ablilty to be creative

I worked for Lifetouch as an Assistant and as a Photographer (which is also my profession). Poor communication was an issue from the start, we were informed we would be given two weeks training which turned out to be seven days, of poor quality training by people who knew little about photography.

The one statement that sticks in my head from training, – more... made by the office manager was "when you read your assignment details check they are correct. Because we don't allows correct mistakes when we proof them."

The office staff receive bonuses where as the school photographers receive minimum pay (so the office staff are on your back about doing a better job than you're equipped to do in the time you have).

Your first season is "Part Time" employment, and you may be invited back after the close of the season, but that seems to have more to do with your ability as a salesperson than your ability as a photographer. Those who were asked back seemed to aspire to get jobs in the office. Pay is very low for the workload which is very tiring, fuel reimbursement is terrible and did not cover my fuel costs, ware and tare on your vehicle is not considered despite having to drive long distances.

Uncooperative teachers were more frequent than uncooperative children, but certainly went hand in hand. – less

A typical day at Olan Mills: print off updated daily schedule, run camera QC. Next go through your photography appointments with one of a kind, outstanding poses, backgrounds and create memories that would last a lifetime. At the end of the day, call your next day appointments and verify times. The co-workers were great to work with. The hardest part – more... about this job was trying to get one on one time with management because they had to spend so much time with many other studios. Creating stunning work and knowing that customers were satisfied was the most enjoyable part. Seeing smiles and hearing laughter behind the scenes of photographs was just amazing. – less

you really need to love what your doing to get
thru the day. I love working with childrem and creating new memories for their families. There's lots responsibilities that come with this position you need to stay focused and and practice the art of patience.

The environment is of the studio at Lifetouch is usually relaxed. Except for the Christmas season, there isn't an overwhelming amount of shoots or clients. Though I'm usually there by myself for my 4-5 hour shift, it's a manageable amount of work. The duties include conducting photoshoots, trying to up sell the product packages, ringing guests out, – more... and doing typical office work, such as answering phones, scheduling and managing photoshoots, and logging shipments. – less

I was not impressed with my job at Lifetouch. They send you way out in the middle of nowhere with minimal training and expect you to do a good job, take great pictures and sell like crazy. What would be nice in the future, would be to tell people that it IS straight commission, and that if you don't sell, you don't eat. The mileage reimbursement is – more... a joke, unless you are a equipment carrier and even then, it's not that great. Also, they start you out as part time, which means no benefits at all. Unless you are a good photographer, stay away from this job – less

Great office setting where everyone is friendly. Entered information from picture proof orders into computer system.

I was extremely satisfied with my employment at Lifetouch.

I started out working for Olan Mills Studios and Lifetouch bought them out in late December 2011. They were all talk no action when it came to advancement. They acted as if we (Olan Mills Employees) were safe in positions and let us go not even a full year later. Lifetouch said it was due to the decline in business but all businesses, photography and – more... others, didn't do as well as previous years in 2012. I will not even have a photo taken at a Lifetouch studio or any of its affliated studios, JC Penneys, Target, Etc. – less

This company is absolutely awesome to work for.
The management is supportive and respectful. My coworkers were all very dedicated and conscientious. Benefits were pretty good and the retirement provision was excellent.
Overall probably the best place I have ever worked.

Getting to make memories with smiling faces is a Great work environment

set up your equipment, take up to 600 student picture within a 6 hours.

Lots of traveling on this job. I learned to have patience on this job. Pretty much self managed, not much interaction with management. Co-workers were ok.

I travel to many schools all around Georgia to photograph different school events. This job requires working with a range of people from PTA sponsors to Principals. In addition to communicating effectively with school representatives, it is crucial that I am flexible. Occasionally, the schools will need other photography services than otherwise specified. – more... Being prepared for anything is part of the job.
Another important part of this job is being able to work as a team, as well as, alone. Depending on the job there can be up to eight employees working together. Proper communication and helping each other out when possible helps the day flow smoothly. Many times I am often alone on jobs. Doing as much paperwork as I can on the front end helps me stay organized and efficient. – less

A typical day was to answer calls and resolve technical issues as quickly as possible. I have learned a lot of new software, hardware and ways to manage different environments. The hardest part was restoring service when it was not depending only on you. The most enjoyable part was to resolve technical issues and communicate with people from different – more... parts of the country. – less

Right now I work after school hours at sporting events whether they are inside or out. I have learned how to convert the camera to compensate for the lighting of outside and inside. The management is acceptational they do very well with there jobs. My coworkers are great they are funny and so down to earth and know how to have fun. The only tough thing – more... with this job is sometimes the school give wrong information and don't change it on their website and my office gives me the false information and I go to the wrong place. I really enjoy capturing great moments at each sporting event I go to it is awesome. – less

This is a fulfilling line of work.
I enjoy the customer interaction this environment provides.

Lifetouch acquired Olan Mills for the express purpose of engineering its failure in order to eliminate competition with its other portrait businesses. Shameful treatment of employees. Hours were changed arbitrarily without notice, photographers were expected to work past scheduled hours without notice, and hard work was unrewarded or remarked upon. – more... Greed rules all decisions. – less

arrve to the school early set up camera equipment and take pictures of the children and staff sometimes I work with other photograghers and thats great and sometimes I am by myself