Lifetouch
Reviews and Complaints

You are all sick, they are taking data of our children without consent. The pictures are a cover, they claim its just a gift. Yet someday when my kid drops a gallon of milk in the grocery store and runs because he is scared... they might come look him up based on the lifetouch data.

this is not a good thing. lol when i tried to post it wanted my socials... geez peops... i am going to use invalids to post just to get it in.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tvp97SMZc6M

I have on file with the school that no commercial photography is to be done of her. Lifetouch took photos and then sent home a package with a bill that we did not order. The school then sent home a not demanding that we pay or return the photos. I called the school and informed them that we were going to do neither. We did not want the commercial photos (to which the photographer is claiming copyright to) taken in the first place and sent photos that we did not order. My understanding of the law in Ohio is that you are not responsible to pay for anything that you did not order. To the persons who claim the original complainant is "stealing" you had better look at what theft is. This company is nothing but con artists trying to con or guilt you into paying for something that you did not want.

actually what Lifetouch, and other companies are doing by sending home unsolicited picture packages ( family approval? sounds like corporate jargon to me, its called speculative sales) is illegal in the state of California.
see CA Civil Code section 1584.5,
due to Lifetouchs disregard for law, or lack of knowledge, this unsolicited material can be viewed as a gift. enjoy!

Laurel it is unfortunate that you have to deal with this. In southern California, Lifetouch is adjusting to keep up with a small company that has made spring pictures easier. Students all receive proofs on spring picture day. Not packets of pictures. Even with prices as low as $10. As for the quality it's above par seeing as how the owner of the company is a former photographer of Lifetouch and won their "Photographer of the Year" and also was part in writing their manuals on photography. They even offer a %20 commission to schools instead of the so called fundraiser of $1 per package purchased while spending at least $24 in order to purchase anything. Maybe they will catch up out there or have their company diminish as it has been doing in southern California. Best of luck to you.

Actually Laurel, a lot of school opt for the program you describe. It is called family approval and it helps prevent situations in which the order is pre-paid and then something happens like the child gets a scratch on his or her face before pictures or doesn't feel good and refuses to smile. I am surprised that you have never had this kind of program before as very few schools operate under a proof program unless they are hand selected by Lifetouch. I am also saddened to hear that you have decided just to keep them without paying for them. It takes money away from your children's school and the photographer, who has no control over the type of portrait program they are scheduled to photograph. In the future, please note that you have the authority to tell your child's teacher that you do not want your children photographed. The photographer has no problem respecting the wishes of the parent, and it is a much more acceptable alternative to theft.

It has been two years in a row these photographers have been to my son's school, Neighborhood Christian Preschool in San Jose. The pictures that were taken by these photographers had no regard to having any patience with these children. For the past two years, the photographs were taken very poorly and reflecting it along with the finished product. I'm very dissapointed in the quality and lack of time each picture that was taken with these children. Each picture taken appeared rushed, and the immediate need to get the next child. More disappointing this year is that my son is graduating from Pre-Kindergarden and I'm not able to purchase any photos (again). The photographs showed his eyes half shut. Another child's photo showed her wiping her eye and crying. Who would want to purchase pictures displayed like this? Call me crazy, but aren't photographer supposed to take pride in their work? I do not recommend this company to any school seeking professional photographs. They don't seem to be qualified to be "professional photographers" if all that matters to them is getting a picture out of the way, without any regard to how children are supposed to pose/smile.

The charges were not done by Lifetouch. I found out my card information was obtained through PayPal and a 3rd party was attempting to make authorizations on my card but they took Lifetouch's merchant ID and name so the charges would appear to be through a different company. I also contacted my bank first before calling the merchant just because I had no idea who they were and I knew I didnt make the charge. Lifetouch did say that they were not actual charges but just authorizations-I guess the fraud company was trying to test my card info to see if it was still active. For my own safety I still went through replacing my card through my bank, even if the charges do not go through my account information was still potentially stolen.

samething here. I was told my credit card number was stolen and they were making small charges at lifetouch to see if they work. i contacted my bank and they refunded my money and our sending me a new debit card. I wonder where our card numbers were obtained. The rep thinks it might be from a hacked pay pal account but im wondering if it was when the ps3 was hacked and credit card info could be stolen?

My account was compromised today for the amount of $9.99
and I Immediately contacted Lifetouch as well as my local news to
Create awareness.Lifetouch advised me of the phone calls and most
Of what everyone is mentioning.Ive never used this company so
Im unsure as to how they wouldve gotten my info, but nevertheless
Im going to wait and see what the outcome is...

This has just happened to me, on my BOA account. I called Lifetouch and they told me they have had hundreds of calls in the last two days saying the same thing, with charges from $2.99-$8.99. I would not give them my last 4 digits, I don't know who they are and they are going to have someone call me back. I called BOA, informed them and they cancelled my card and will send me a new one in 5-7days. The blessing is I caught it before many more charges were added.

They tried to debit my account for 8.95 as well on June 15th, they said credit card info was obtained, and to request a new debit card... I just got this one in the mail today and my pay is direct deposited tomorrow

this is a scam as when i called lifetouch preschool they said they have received many calls regarding the same charges. someone has obtained credit card info and is using it on lifetouch website for small amounts to see if cards are active. lifetouch asked for my last 4 digits and they are not allowing the charge to go through.
lifetouch [protected]

I had the same thing happen to me on june 15th i my bofa act for $2.99.

We never received 1 of our 4 kid's pictures and simply requested them. Obviously this was FAR too much to ask for. Thread of e-mails - start at the bottom:

Colleen,

I wished I had never had to request anything, but I just wanted John's pics that we never received. That's all I was asking for - nothing special. I never wanted the pics of mom and baby. We received the pics of all of us EXCEPT John, even though he also had a POS. Someone in your group dropped the ball and I had to waste my time because someone didn't do their job. Cindy had to stop her life to follow up for us, as well.

I can see by the thread of e-mails that we are a thorn in your side ("What a pain!"). We wish we never had to contact you and that your staff had never dropped the ball to begin with. The lack of professionalism in these e-mails is quite shocking. No response is necessary.

Perhaps you didn't know what you were getting yourself into, when you were hired with LifeTouch. This is verbatum from the corporate website:

We care about people – employees, customers, and other partners as individuals, treating them respectfully and dutifully. We strive for integrity in all aspects of our business, including associations with other people, products and services that fulfill our customers’ expectations, promotion and financial reporting.

Jennifer XXXXXX

On Dec 9, 2011, at 10:31 AM, Colleen D Grace wrote:

Here you go, again……

Thank you!

Colleen

From: Maria Moran
Sent: Friday, December 09, 2011 5:57 AM
To: Colleen D Grace
Subject: RE: SCCHE

This is John he looks like he should not be in school yet. Then there is Nicholas who is in kindergarten. Is that the one you need?

Let me know.
Maria

From: Colleen D Grace
Sent: Thursday, December 08, 2011 6:04 PM
To: Maria Moran
Subject: FW: SCCHE

For goodness sake! Now they want #1207. Do you show this John Pardta receiving a POS? He is kinder and should have one. Low res please. Hope it is the last request….={

Thank you!

Colleen

From: Colleen D Grace
Sent: Wednesday, November 30, 2011 11:13 AM
To: Maria Moran
Subject: RE: SCCHE

Now they want to see the picture of Mom and baby only. Could be reorder 1205. (What a pain!)

Thank you!

Colleen

From: Maria Moran
Sent: Friday, November 18, 2011 6:44 AM
To: Colleen D Grace
Subject: RE:SCCHE

Here you go! Reorder # 1208

From: Colleen D Grace
Sent: Thursday, November 17, 2011 7:03 PM
To: Maria Moran
Cc: Colleen D Grace
Subject: SCCHE

Maria,
Can I get an image for reorder#1205, 1208 (whichever one is the family group). They want to view prior to purchasing. Low res quality.

Thanks,

Colleen Grace

RO Territory, Operations Manager
[protected] ext. 235
Fax: [protected]

I just saw this complaint, and like you, I would have been livid with this photopgrapher! Did the correct picture ever end up in the book? I would have called them back to receive the correct # of pictures you were promised as well, or would have gotten a refund completely. That is wrong to do business and treat people that way! I hope everything worked out in the end!

I ordered my 7th grader's school portraits from this company back in September. They did not arrive with her classmate's photos. I called in October and was told there was another batch of photos being delivered to the school that week, but my daughter's were still not included. I called in November and they had noted they weren't sent and were supposedly re-sent to arrive in the next 2 weeks. The person I spoke to sighed a lot as if I was being a pain to them. We still did not receive the photos. I called the school and they verified that they had never arrived, so I had no school photos of her to send out with the holiday cards. In January I called to finally just cancel my order and get my money back (my check had been cashed back in September) since I do work full time it's hard to keep track of this and I figured it would be easier to just take her somewhere else that would actually deliver some photos. The lady on the phone, Adrian, acted like I was keeping her from something much more important and there was never even the slightest bit of an apology for not receiving our school photos! I have not yet received my refund and am really disgusted with this company. I'm on hold 10 or more minutes every time I call and have not ever spoken to anyone who seems very interested in actually helping me.

I sent in an order form and check for Lifetouch to photograph my son at school. However when the time came to receive the pictures my son did not receive any. I left a message for lifetouch and they did not return my call. I scheduled him a photo session at another company and left it alone. Then I found out today that they cashed my check yet I never received pictures just a form saying it's not too late to order!

I agree and they also do not return phone calls. They make it very difficult for you to order photos online as well. My older son gets photos taken by Ezells Studios and they are GREAT!

I completely agree with the sexist comments, sales personnel, and local management...its all about how they benefit, never about the "team"...

I have seen "green" men excel at a faster rate than seasoned veteran women, strictly because they are men. When I questioned this, specifically referring to the "sports photographers", I was told that coaches here prefer to work with male photographers, as it is a man-dominated coaching industry down here in TX. Bunch of bull-honky if I ever heard it!

My daughter hair was a mess and one side of her collar of shirt was up and they had a retake day and PARENTS were not NOTIFY and the kids did not dress up for the RETAKES and my daughter was one of them. I did get a email, text or a note was not sent home with the Jennings County Middle School so, I am requesting my money back and I will have her school pictures taken some where else if they can not NOTIFY the parents. Really disappointed in the photographer, should have notice the simple things.

I am a single grandmother raising two grandkids plus two of my nieces kids and we recently had pictures taken. I ordered the same packet for all four kids and didn't get what I ordered. Again this year. The boys got what I ordered but the girls did not. And of course my check has been cashed. Still haven't cleared up last years goof. And they were at a different school.
Thinking next year I will pass and go to walmart.

Just because I didn't order and pay for my daughters portraits within 48 hours of her taking the pictures I was told that I have to pay more for the packages plus a shipping and handling fee. Why should I be penalised for being misinformed? No one told me of this. Then lifetouch said it was the school's idea, then the school said it was lifetouch's idea. I'm a busy working mother and just wanted to order pictures online when I got the time instead of writing a check on the spot.

i loved everyone's post about life-touch pictures, but im fighting the schools and i need you help?. im trying to do all the research i can about the company lifetouch and where i can find out whats the deal that was made for them to be able to take him out of class for these pictures & then send pictures OF MY SON on key chains bookmarks & all kinda things in a picket and give it to my 6yr old son and the back of the packet said these are no free and if you keep these you will be charged for the packet, , , i am so mad because i had to fight with my son and wife of how/why this is a sneaky trick, and why should a 6yr old ever be given something as a contract with rules saying you assume the terms by not returning?... i hope to know as much as i can before the next county school board meeting and i wanted to know where you got your info & COULD you find anything about schools in cabarrus co. concord nc 28025 . thanks everyone... i feel we should ban together for a law suit ... im sick of the sneaky tricks using my son as a ADVERTISEMENT TOOL ... PLUS..we are paying the highest taxes EVER!

We have switched from Lifetouch to Picture Me Perfect Studios and what a diference! The photographer was really nice (even brought us doghnuts), he was so patient with the little kids and super polite to our parents and staff. Really a night and day difference. I never thought picture day coould be so pleasant!
We got our proofs about a week later and for my surprise, there was no prepay, no confusion, I did not have to deal with people"s money. They took care of all. The pictures were gorgeous, really looked as they were taken at a private studio and not a daycare. Our parents LOVED the pics! We are happy to have found such a company. I am not sure if Picture Me Perfect Studios operates in your area but it's worth knowing that Lifetouch is not the only option. Do your research and find your school a better match!

As an employee of Lifetouch I would STRONGLY recommend that you speak with your youngest daughters school about this. The rep you spoke to on the phone was telling you the truth. The school (whoever is in charge of picture day, usually the principal ) sets the costs and options available to the students, which is why one had different background choices and the other didn't. What most parents don't realize is that the school gets a nice little commission check from Lifetouch. It is a fundraiser for the school, so yes, you may be spending more money for one daughters photo's, but it is the schools fault...not Lifetouch!

It appears as if Lifetouch is ripping off its customers in their pricing of school portraits. Both of my daughters had their school pix taken in the past 2 weeks and I realized as I was writing the check for my youngest daughter who attends middle school, that the pix for my oldest daughter (in high school), taken 2 weeks prior, were more expensive, and they were the EXACT same packages and products, with no choice of backgrounds. I called the company to complain (you won't find their # on their website - so here it is - [protected].) They told me that the prices vary by schools due to the price agreed upon between the school coordinator and the lifetouch rep. I told them that I doubted very much that there was any kind of negotiating going on, so I'm sure it's the Lifetouch rep. that's setting the price. How can they charge more money to the high school students than the middle school students? It's the same parents paying for all the pictures! They never gave me a valid answer to my question. I will not use Lifetouch again. Their portraits aren't anything special anyway.

So, you take a baseline package and mark it up to 40%, that is how they do the commission rates... so if base is $8.00, your markup is at $11.00...

I have seen the size of checks schools receive, its a lot. (here its 45% in Fall and 25% in Spring)

I think teachers should get a free package, think about it...who keeps track of picture day fliers, money, scheduling...the teachers, who collects money in the spring, fills out all the names for group pictures and helps get their kids ready, the teachers...they deserve it.

The company is sinking, they will tell you differently...I worked there 5 years, I am disgruntled...for the amount of passion I had, they should have paid me more, I worked HARD and I won awards and I cared...they gave me more duties, but never increased my pay, the photographers make a really crappy wages, just ask them...This company sucks because they can't hold on to good employees, they don't see the value, they see everyone as replaceable... next time ask about the turn around rate...you will see they hire and rehire constantly and train poorly...downhill that's where they are headed, bad business model to come, you'll see...they may "fire" your schools or "cut services" to save the company money. It's all changing...and they spent billions on a new camera system, X1...sucks that they did this, but can't give their workers who make poverty level wages a step up when deserved...oh and if I ever saw a "good ole boy" company in action...hmm, maybe I will sue them...

i am just pissed off becuz i had my babygirl take her very first school portrait i was given the sheet for pricing to me i dont care how much i pay( if i have the finicial freedom i will buy her anything) well i opted to have her name put on the bottom of her photots and her name has 11 letters plus a space so 12 altogether well its cuz its 2 names i was told yes and to pay 11$ for the custom touch so i did just to personalize her photos well they sent me her pix and guess what no name yet no class pix...i calld immedately after recieving them and complained i explain this is her first portrait and they mean alot to me well they right away sent me a new batch of photos i askd when i first made the order form if her name would fit she goes by her first name but to me i say her first and middle together as one full name and thats how i wantd her pictures well they said yes of course ma'am her name will fit well for pay 11 $ for it it better for me aslong as they got it right well not even 4 weeks later i recieve her pictures and no full name just her first i was like watver so why did i pay for 11 letters plus a space in between if they only used 6 letters?well i was just happy they got something right i was told her class portrait would arrive at her school at a later date well she ened up being transferred and they said no worries we will send them to her new school she had pictures taken last year in early septemeber and i still havent recieved her class portrait i am upset cuz one of my husbands coworkers sons is now in her old classroom and he recieved his class picture and shes in it but i have yet to recieve mine! these are moments of her life i will treasure i have her first painting in my closet i feel like they have robbed me of that expreience because i havent seen her class i feel like they just took her pix and blew her off i will remember this for next i will buy her photos whether its a package or just one i can have i will call to ensure they dont get wrong i will not put up for purchasing her package and only recieving half!

I work for Lifetouch - I'm thinking that it's because the economy is so bad that they may be electing to not have free pics for some schools. However, it could also be the school's choice. Each school gets a cut of the Lifetouch profits- also why some schools photos cost much more than others. Maybe that particular school elected to cut the free faculty portraits to up thier percentage. And finally, as you said, what faculty would buy them anyway? Teachers hate getting their pictures taken, they complain about the fact that they have wrinkles, double-chins, everything. Why waste the ink and trees used to make the paper?

"Lifetouch has never given anyone anything close to 40%. I have been in the industry for over 16 years and always find out that their 40% promise was never kept. Think about it, how can you give somebody 40% of what was brought in. Have you ever heard of overhead, sales tax (7%)? Come on. Use common sense."

School A's gross sales: $11, 325
School A's commission check: $4, 303
School A's comm. percentage: 38%

School B's gross sales: $20, 169
School B's commission check: $7, 664
School B's comm. percentage: 38%

These are actual figures from 2 schools photographed by Lifetouch. The rest of the schools exactly match these %'s. As you can see, these figures are very close indeed to 40%. And all they have to do is line the kids up and bring them to the camera. School portraits are a fundraiser for your local schools. Lifetouch gives back generously.

The bottom line is that no one has to buy photos, and anyone complaining about *not* getting something for *free*, doesn't deserve to get them.

Never received pictures ,never had this happen before except I'm kindergarten

The pictures are to dark i don't like it and i pay like 40 dollars I will wait for your answer thanks

The name on my daughters is spelled wrong. I would like to have that corrected

No proofs on account to view, was told from school lifetouch had an issue with processing and if a package was purchased, my child will have to retake their picture. Can NEVER talk to a real person. This company is incompetent, overpriced and needs to be replaced.

My son got his complete order and my daughter and other son got shorted an 8x10 photo I hope you don't give me the run around like you do with your bogus phone number this will reflect future orders and if I cannot get any results I'm sure most of us parents will seek others for school pictures

I payed for my son pictures online and never received them when I contacted the school I was told the package was given to another student. I called and left messages no response. I still haven't received my son pictures. Second set of pictures for school year 2022.

This company is preying on parents who are celebrating their Seniors Graduation! High priced, marketing FT (texts and emails) through the pandemic - with CLOSED production offices. No responses to calls or texts. Not only did I not get my order, I was told I was STILL 6-8 weeks out (sorry, daughter will be in college by the time I would have seen anything). Also, they charged my card quick enough, but when you cancel and request full refund - NOTHING "sorry we don't do that." Seriously? No email, no confirmation number... took it up with my bank and filed a dispute. At least I'm not out the $600+ photo packages - sheesh - that's a predatory practice! Save yourself the headache of dealing with this company (and they treat their photographers like dirt too, in reading these reviews here). AVOID AT ALL COSTS.

When ever i login i have to change my password alot, and when me and another person get into the same thing and one of us press the Save it doesnt save so when i close the website or the thing im on, it just deletes.Its also slow and its not because of my internet, the website just starts to get slower and slower

Every time I got to log in so I can work on the yearbook I have to sign in like 5-10 times to get me login in and if I sign in too much then it has me change my password and then it tells me that is incorrect.Also the time it takes, it takes a whole lot of time like the connection is really bad and I have good wifi it's Lifetouch.

Lifetouch it took some pictures at Highland Turner School I ordered two packages they was not printed off right one package has white all over his shirt and the other package has yellow all over his shirt whoever printed them off did not print them off right I would like for them to be replaced you can reach me at [protected]