Spring Photos for School? What For?

Lifetouch is a reputable company, they work through most schools. You would need to call the company itself to ask about the online viewing and when do they delete those. Lifetouch is a part of JC Penney I believe. They have done pics for years in the Springtime. I find it to be a waste of time and have rarely ordered them. It's all up to you.

Lifetouch is reputable, and huge. The spring photos usually are 3/4 length instead of just head and shoulders, and they'll have fancier backgrounds, occasionally with things like a fake tree, fence or wall to lean on. As for cost, they're like most school photos: expensive when compared to someplace like Sears, and much cheaper than most private studio sittings.

My kids' schools always did both fall and spring photos. Most parents bought both.

If you love the photos, buy them, but if you don't, don't feel guilty (or worry about what else might happen with the images).

Lifetouch is a company that most schools use I love there photos and Spring pics are nice they have some cool backgrounds I love it caus then you dont have to spend a lot of money for photos at walmart or sears or anyother place like that.. I have always gotten my kids photos doen twice a year. I don't see anything wrong with it.

Yes our school does it too. I don't always buy, I buy the smallest and cheapest grouping. Cost is always too much. The site is secure, no the company doesn't keep the kids photos and you get a number so you can view your childs photo. This is a good company has been around for a long time.
The different of Spring photos is there should be a class photo your daughter may want and kids do change from the first of the school year. I understand that if you don't purchase within a certain amt of time it's over and they get ride of the photo. The sale also helps the school they get a very small amount usually from the total purchase at our school it goes to
the PTA and the PTA buy so many things for the school to have and small ex: agendas, calenders, etc. they make money but they turn around and spend it on stuff that keeps the school going, etc.

Hope that's helps some

Yes, almost all my kids' school photos were done by Lifetouch. For me, all school pics are worth it. Get the cheap package if you want.

They're a great company, and our schools have been doing the spring photos for a few years. They are quite popular! The poses and settings are more casual than the fall photos, and the nice thing is that you get to see the photos before you buy. If you like them, then you order them and if you don't like the photos or aren't interested, you return the proof package to the school. Your school gets a % of the sales (typically it's 40%) so yes the prices can be high but a good portion of that is really a donation to your school. This company was the school photographer when I was a kid 30+ years ago, so they are definitely reputable. If you go to the website they probably have FAQ on what they do with the photos. I believe that the fall portraits are archived for use by your school (this is what goes in student files, your child's ID, the yearbook etc.) but they probably purge the spring photos after a certain date.

We had Lifetouch for years at my school, but just switched last year to a different company. We always had individual/yearbook photos (headshots, basically) in the fall and then the group/class picture in the spring... Sometimes there was an option for kids to have individual cutesy pics during that same springtime photo session. My school has never done individual springtime photos, but I think it's pretty common. My niece and nephew's school does it and they have the opportunity to bring the whole family in if they want to. I think it's nice if you're on a budget... You can do the whole family and the pics are very affordable.

We are currently fighting to have our childs' photograph and any other information lifetouch may have, removed from their database.Their "Smile Safe Kids" program is questionable.Push in chip id vs lifetouch, then look for child identification professionals. It should be somewhere near the top of the page. And you know whatthey say about bringing something online If you ask for a letter from lifetouch {their standard form letter}to remove this information and, what you get is a letter that implies your child "may not"be able to participate in activities at school award ceremonies etc.. They also want us to agree to" indemnify and hold them harmless" for any problems that may arise from the deleting of this information from their database. They also require the signature of the principal. We have this letter in our possession. Call lifetouch and request to have your child from their database and see what happens.My wife and I are extremely concerned parents.Everyone of you parents out there should be taking a very close look at lifetouch.
In at our childs school the databasing of the childrens' pictures was performed "with out" the express written consent from the parents. Something even the police have to do.What better way to take advantage of someone than to be trusted?

P.S. Our child will "NEVER" sit front of a lifetouch camera again!

My schools growing up used Lifetouch. I think they have been around a long long time and are used a lot by schools. My pictures always turned out really good if I did my hair and such. I don't know what they do with pictures if you don't purchase them... maybe you could ask them or the school? I don't really remember how much they costed because it was so long ago, I just know my parents would never buy them and it made me sad cuz my pics always turned out awesome. Spring photos is just a cute more towards end of the year photo for people like me who are gaga over photos, especially theme photos like spring photos, halloween photos, etc. I don't think they have any real reason except so you have pro photos of your child in different grades.

Your yearbooks are probably made by lifetouch (most are anyways) as are senior photos.
I agree with Jennifer on what they probably use it for if you don't want them... my high school would take new pics for ids every year but in middle school they'd use it for my library card.

HEre is the answer to your question- they offer spring pictures because Lifetouch gives the school money for each kid photographed regardless of if they buy or not. We have Lifetouch at our school and I always wondered about spring pics as well...I was actually offended that they did 2 rounds of pics. Only when I became PTO prez did I find out the reason why its done. ts definitely worth it to the school to get the extra money and you are not obligated to buy of course.

I have been very happy with Lifetouch. I have found they do a decent job as far as school photos go. The cost will vary depending on what you buy. I am sure that they destroy the kids photos but you can ask to make sure. The difference in the spring photos at our school was that they had different poses than the typical background shot kind they use for the fall. The fall photos are the ones they make the class pics out of. I let my kids wear their favorite sports jersey for the spring one to make it more fun.

Our elementary school uses Lifetouch and does Spring photos. For us, the difference is that the picture at the beginning of the year is a standard headshot, and the Spring photo has a cute background (a fence or bridge, for instance) and fun poses. The prices have been comparable to the beginning of the year packages. Also, you can get fun products (little plastic cards with the pic and a calendar, bookmarks, collages, etc.). We enjoy getting it as a reminder of how much they have grown during the year. They have always been very nice and you get to preview before purchase. As for the company having the picture, the company from the beginning of the year has the picture if you decide not to purchase it also, and that doesn't seem to bother you. ;-) Having worked in the industry, most companies who do mass pictures like that don't keep the photos for long so they can use those resources (either digital memory or the physical paper for prints) for the next schools.
Hope this helps!

Lifttouch has had the contract for the Austin schools for many, many years, or at least used to.

You can opt out.

But I also wonder, why is the school doing spring pictures? Once a school year seems like enough.

Yes, they are reputable. All of the photogrphers also have a background check. my step father worked for them for a few years..

Lifetouch is reputable, but they are school pictures, like all school pictures. You may not know it, but schools or PTO/A's make money off the school pictures, so why not offer spring pictures? At our school, it is the school that makes the money, our PTO does not. Buy if you want it, don't buy if you don't want to, but the reason is simple...$.

M.

Dear S.H.`~
I didn't see your post until just this morning.
My kids' schools never did "Spring Photos", so I'm not sure what that's all about. But, I wanted to let you know that Life Touch is the company that does the school portraits for our local schools. Yes, they are reputable and they do a good job. My son is in high school now, but we always purchased his elementary picutres along with a class photo that was taken outside with the kids and teachers and all their names under the photo. The price depended on the package we chose. My ex usually just got the class photo, a 3x5 and 8 wallets. He doesn't have a lot of people to send photos to. I always take care of that part.
Anyway, I just wanted you to know that as far as the company itself, we never had any problems. The people with the company in this area have been doing it for MANY years.
Maybe the "Spring" thing is something new or our schools just never participated. I can't say.
Many photo companies now allow you to view photos online so you can choose them or have family members help with ordering ones they want. This has been a typical thing especially for senior and graduation photos for quite some time.

I hope this helps a little.

Best wishes!

We have used them for years 12+ Im sure. Nice photos most of the time. The school usually makes a cut of the profits so thats why 'spring' photos are offered.

The spring pictures always drive me nuts. My kid really hasn't changed in 5 months. That said Life Touch is fabulous!! The quality , the packages really great. Usually you get something like 1 8X10, 2 5x7, 4 2x3 and a whole bunch of wallet size and key chain pics for about $40. Plus part is you don't have to order them if you don't want to. Just go on to LifeTouch and read their terms, if they keep photos etc. I think they do, but not 100% sure.

Spring pictures are a fundraiser for the school.

My daughter's daycare uses Lifetouch. It's one of the main ways our Parent Advisory Council raises money. They do it twice a year. Some parents get pictures both times, some only get them at one or the other. Just gives another chance for parents to get pictures in case they maybe couldn't afford it the last time, or otherwise missed out.

Our pictures have always been great from Lifetouch. There were a couple times I had an issue - one time our pictures didn't get sent to the school with the rest & I had to call & wait for them to mail them to me; another time the CD I ordered wasn't included & again had to call & they mailed it. They were really nice & helpful when I called, wasn't hard to get it taken care of.

Ours does send package info home in advance for you to go ahead & send in payment. But I found out the hard way last time that even if you don't send the payment then, you will still get proofs when the pics come in. Then you have another chance to purchase a package.

I don't remember the pricing. I think we usually spend around $50? I think that included a CD with the photo on it.

And I think they only keep your child's photo in their files for a certain amount of time, in case you want to order additional items. We got the proofs the last go-round & there was a deadline on it for ordering... we missed it lol oops

Sorry to rain on the Spring Parade but this hits a sensitive spot for me.

Last year everyone at my daughter's school had spring pictures taken. Then they would send you the whole package (whether you requested it or not...) and demand that you send it back to them if you weren't purchasing it (50 or 60 bucks or so...) Needless to say, many families simply kept the package and never paid......I say...good for them!

I feet that "baiting" the parents with the whole package is bordering on extortion. So no, I don't think they are good company. I think they are over-priced and greedy.

So what if it makes money for the school? Is that all anyone cares about anymore?

There are too many school fundraisers feeding the belief that everything has a price on it and money is the most important thing in education.

Again, I will say, Mega Companies that come in and "fundraise" are taking advantage of an already weak system that pretty much needs Federal Reform. The more we fund-raise, the more we are accepting the fact that schools are underfunded. Let's not forget that as American citizens we are each entitled to a FREE K-12 education. By law!

Please think before you write another check out to your school PTA or fundraiser. Isn't this money spent better in a more conscious and intelligent manner?

No more sick school Fundraisers! Let's focus on what matters: education- not wrapping paper, gross cookie dough, 10,000 box-tops-for-1-cent or.... spring pictures! These companies get a cut....

Just trying encourage everyone to look at the big picture before we are spending more time fund-raising and less time learning.

There are ways to improve your school without money but no one seems to remember how anymore....

I am not sure about the Fall photos but the Spring photos are typically a fundraiser for the school. The school is given so much for each child photographed. Typically the pictures are of a more casual nature than the standard school photo.

Our school did this but with a different company. With ours they actually sent home an actual package of photos for you to peruse and decide whether to buy. I thought they were outrageously priced so we were instructed to return the photos. It seems like an awful lot of wasted photo paper, ink etc. Plus you had the hinky factor that someone had photos of your child.

I assume this was not very well received as this has not been done again at our school.

Could you opt your children out of the photos?

Lifetouch is reputable, otherwise the schools wouldn't use them. I am sure, if you chose, you could exclude your child from the photos. The only way they should use your child's image for anything other for your purchase is if they had a "Model release or consent". I am sure they didn't ask for a consent and there should not be any issue.

my kids school does spring photos too. they are more casual than the ones in the fall, and take a whole body shot. usually w/ a background of the forest, or the beach.

My sons school uses Lifetouch. My daughters used another company this year. I like Lifetouchs quality much better and they were actually cheaper than the other. I think the bigger package I bought was around $35.
I feel like Spring photos are just a way for them to make more money. But, if I had it my way I would buy those before the beginning of the year ones. They always seem to turn out nicer and have nice background choices (nature scenes, different poses, etc) I almost always purchase them. At our schools here, if you volunteer to help in the school with the pictures, combing hair, taking forms, getting kids ready, they give you the prints for free. It is a very reputable company. They do keep the photos if you dont purchase them. I would believe legally that they shred them though. Check your forms and see if there is any disclaimer about them using them.

I was a teacher for 17 years and they did the Life Touch Spring Photos and they a were a thousand times nicer than the fall pictures. They have cute backgrounds and props to select from as well as a variety of poses they can put your kids in. If I had my choice as a parent I would choose the spring pictures over the fall in a heartbeat.
Life Touch has a been around for years, and I think they went this route because so many parents complained that the school pictures were always poor. They never take the time to try and get the kids to smile and it's always the same backgrounds and poses. However, I honestly don't think there are any other pictures companies that go to the schools in Southern California. As for cost, I think the Spring pictures may be slightly more than the fall pictures, but much less than a photo studio.

LIfetouch is the old Jostens. . . They have been around forever. The pictures are school picture quality, but they have gotten better with different poses and backgrounds. They are ok. Personally I like more candid pictures or Sears better. . .

We have the Spring photos too and I think it's a waste but they all do it. However the Spring photos at our school don't cost anything unless you want to buy them. Lifetouch is reputable but I'm not always happy with their photos. Last year, they took a horrible picture of my son where he was not making a very nice face and they sent it to me to buy it - it was something that the photographer clearly would have seen and should have fixed while they were taking the pictures..... Other times the pictures were good. If you don't purchase they still have your photos but you should call them to see what their policy is.

Hope this helps.

.

First off, Lifetouch does TONS of school pictures and they are a good company.
The do keep the photos for about a year, whether you buy or not (so you can reorder), but they will give you a specific way to get in to see them - it's not generally open to the public.

As far as why, there's a few reasons. Some parents didn't buy fall pictures (for whatever reason), the spring pictures usually are more "casual" (different poses available, etc), and of course, to get more money :). The quality is usually just as good as fall photos... "worth it" is a relative term, lol. But sometimes there are big changes between fall and spring (lost teeth/new teeth, glasses, etc) and some parents like lots of pictures of the kids! The nice thing is, you get to see these before you buy them, so if they turn out icky, you're not out any money.

Lifetouch is known for ''school'' pictures. All the schools in my surrounding areas use them, as well as some high school seniors.

The pictures that Lifetouch takes are ''good'' but average--does that make since? I have my own Photography Business and I always try to encourage people to use local Photographers who actually take the time to edit their images, make them unique and actually put time and effort into their images. I hardly ever get my Daughter's school pictures done because I just don't like ''average'' photos. I want something that I can look back on and remember, something that is going to stand out to me, something that can be sitting in a frame or hanging on the wall and attract my attention...If you want unique photos, use a local photographer- Not sears, or walmart, an actual Photographer! :)

Here's what I know
I know that life touch does most of the california schools pictures and has been doing them for a long time (they did mine in the 80's).
They can be great or so-so, I would call and double check to see if they are offering a re-take day at your school (usually for absent students but they can retake any student I believe).
They used to (not sure about now) offer a sping background, instead of the common school pic backgrounds.
Jc Penney photo studio is a life touch studio.
I am not sure if it's worth it or how much they are because my mommy friends with school aged kids only do the regular school pics.
Good Luck! =)

It's a way to help the school make money (I believe). It's usually more casual posing and backgrounds during spring. I liked to see how different my son looked in the portraits after just a few months. And yes, I've dealt with them regarding a problem. Bought a coffee mug with my son's photo on it. It came out very badly. Called 'em up and they made a new one ASAP. I brought in the bad one (they had an office nearby) but they didn't care. My last experience with them, my son was 10. He's almost 18 now, so pricing won't help from me. But I loved them. On your point about them possibly keeping your kid's photos, I think we tend to over-dramatize sometimes. The photos are of fully clothed children who look like the same kid you sent to school that day. If I'm not mistaken, they'll give you a timeline of how long you have for ordering.

Yes, I've dealt with them for a few years since my twins are in 3rd grade. My friend is in charge of this event at their school. So... I asked her last year why she has Life Touch come and take photos of the kids 2 times per school year. So here's what she said........ basically for every child that takes a picture, the school gets $3. Regardless if the child's parents buy the photos. So.... knowing that, I still let my kids take photos since all the other kids do in their classes and they don't want to stick out from their friends. BUT..... I don't bother curling my daughter's hair, put on special clothes, etc... because I don't buy them in the spring. (I buy the first time around in September.) But.... hey, the $3 per child per photo session helps our PTO and it only takes each child a minute to smile and have the photographer take a picture.

I dont know anything about the company, sorry. I just want to make sure that you know that in today's day and age - every company who has ever taken your childs photo still has it. Nothing is erased anymore - with the internet, everything is forever. This doesnt mean your child shouldnt take photos - just want to make sure you realize this.

I don't know anything about this company.

As far as any school pictures go, you're much better off taking your child to a photograpy studio (even Sears, JCPenney). Usually the schools do this as a "fundraiser", the school gets a portion of the profits.

Our school uses this company. The first 2.5 years (K-2) I sent all the pictures back. The last ones have been better but I still feel like we do a better job at home and I've only ordered the Spring package once and the bare minimum at that. This company does both Fall and Spring pictures here. The Fall are more traditional and the Spring pictures usually have an outdoorsy backdrop. Unfortunately allergies are usually in full swing for Spring pictures and it shows so along with what I feel is lacking in the photography my daughter also doesn't look her best. My husband tends to think we need to buy them but I don't think he's noticed or cared since with the advent of digital I'm usually able to get one good picture out of the 100s I take the same day ;-). With developing prices low, you can usually get them for much less at Costco or Walgreens AND get exactly what you want instead of a package. If you or you have a freind that takes good pictures, I'd go for that especially for Spring pictures. I haven't heard complaints about privacy locally and I imagine you could google to get that info.....I may be able to give you a price range as I have an account set up for the Fall pictures. If I'm able to get an useable information I'll email you privately or add to this post.

update: Couldn't find my account info but wanted to add after reading other posts. You may want to talk to other Parents at your school. It really sounds like some are pleased so it may be who we've happened to get coming to our school.

I don't order the spring pics...I think it's a waste of money. I order the ones from the beginning of the school year and most of the time I have a ton of those left over and don't know who to give them to. One of my aunts jokingly said the one year that she's running out of places to put all my kids pictures. lol

Our school does fall and spring photos too. Even though we are a public school, they have uniform dress. The fall photos are in their uniforms and are the ones that go into the yearbook. The spring photos are free dress and a little more informal (different backgrounds, variety of poses, etc.) We usually order the cheapest pkg. of the fall photos to have a reminder of them in school and pass on the spring photos. I take them to JCPenney for their "birthday" pictures each year. I feel like you can get a lot more photos for less money at a place like that. My sister on the other hand just orders the school pictures--both times. It's easier for her and she likes to have the photos to show how much they changed throughout the year.

Lifetouch does our school photos in fall and spring too, IMO the spring thing is a money-making opportunity b/c our school doesn't do yearbooks, but I suppose it's a nice option for families that start at the school mid-year and missed the fall photos. We've had mixed results with their photos but on the positive side they did have "retake" day at our school so if you didn't like how your child's photo turned out you could have a retake done on retake day. DH & I joked that they must have sent out the trainee photographer on picture day one year b/c both of our DD's had rather sullen looks on their photos (and one insisted it was b/c the photog told her not to show her teeth), but the retakes were much better. Our school hasn't gone to the online view/ordering, we still have the "select package #___" paper order form that we send to school with payment on picture day

It is the best company. I wish our elementary would use them instead of the locals who don't know how to get shy kids to smile. "Smile! Now!"
The school gets half of all profits but spring photos are class photos and worth it for us scrapbookers.

They just want your moo-la!

It depends on what they have set up with your child's school. My first dealings with them were when my now 7th grader was in kindergarten in private school. They did photos in the fall, right at the beginning of school... like October? And then AGAIN in the spring. I never had heard of it being done 2x per year like that... so we bought both sets. Typically, the fall sets were plain photos for the yearbook, and the spring ones were nicer background choices.

Then, they switched to a different private school, and again had lifetouch. But rather than getting a packet of photos and deciding if we liked/wanted to buy, we had to pre-pay for them. But only fall photos were done.
Then last year, we switched to public school and again the school contracted with Lifetouch. We had to pre order and pre pay. Both Fall and spring photos were done. THIS year, we had to pre-pay for the fall ones, but they just came again to do the spring ones and they said in this packet that they send the photos to preview before paying.

So, it is sort of what your school contracts with them to do. But yes, it seems to be the common thing now to have both fall and spring photos. I'm guessing b/c so many schools do yearbooks for all grades. Back "in the day" we didn't have yearbooks except for high school. Now it is ALL grades. Elementary too.
And evidently, the photography studios have figured out that if they offer photos twice a year, parents will buy. Because who can turn down photos of their precious babies?!
Well... with 2 in school getting photos done 2 x per year, and the cheapest "set" costing about $37 each, and their karate school also offering photography every year... this mama is opting not to buy most of them. And instead am paying a true professional photographer for annual photos or only paying for photos where I get to be there at the time they are taken. So I am there to say "nope-- that's a fake smile!" or.. wait... her hair got messed up, let's fix that. Because, truly, I have had them take photos where my kid was OBVIOUSLY putting on the fakest smile ever, or had my daughter with long hair not even pulled so that it is all or none over her shoulders. They are kids and need to be told about this stuff... and no one did.

The photo quality itself is fair. But be careful of all the "options" you can get. They add up quickly.

A little more info. Not all schools take a profit from Lifetouch. Some have rules against that, but have the picture opportunity because parents like them. It is a very reputable company. They fix errors. Spring pictures started for a lot of reasons. I know a local district that does fall pics for holiday gift-giving and spring pictures of the whole class. In the past both of these pictures were taken in the fall. Nowadays, with so many children moving, the school likes the spring photo to represent all who moved into the class. The other interesting thing is that the pictures I have from Sears, etc. have changed colors over the years. Lifetouch pledges that their picctures don't change. Ha - I've read over my glowing comments and need to add that I do not now and never have worked for LifeTouch.

I am a employee of Life Touch National School Studios... so I go into the schools and take pictures. Spring photos are like taking your child to a studio and having portraits taken. Poses are different, backgrounds are different, and children can wear hats, ect there are more options as a parent because the pictures aren't for year book, class picture, and so on. The cost is similar to packages offered in the fall. Yes very much worth it. Instead of just one set of portraits for the school year you have two and for a great price, it beats going to a studio. The photos are high quality never sent through if the photographer is not 100 percent sure that is the best photo possible. Lifetouch is extremely reputable, if the photo comes back and you do not life it you do not have to pay. Totally your choice. When you go online there is a specific code for your school and you have to create an account that is specific to you. No one else can see your child's picture. Lifetouch only keeps the photos for one year, once the new school year comes around and new photos are taken the old ones are out of the system. They are only kept for a year because some times the school wants to order a principals album later, and if a student or teacher passes away lifetouch will pull up their portrait and print a package for the family kind of a sorry for your loss message and a lot of families use the school portrait as an obituary pictures. Yes sad I know.

As far as David B's comment. Seriously? The smile safe cards... all that they do is take your childs picture place it into the card, put in the basic information given to lifetouch by the school. Their name and grade that is ALL. Then the parents are given these cards even if you do not order portraits. In a situation where your child goes missing the parents can have this card ready in their wallet to show them a recent picture of the child, as well local police or the school can call lifetouch get a copy of the childs most recent picture to spread to media ect to help find the child. And in most cases this doesnt even happen... most schools have a copy of the picture already. The schools often order a disc with the all of the students and staffs picture on it. Do not listen to this person, he is being paranoid for unjust reasons. If you have a religious, or cultural reason why you dont want your childs portrait taken you should take that up with the school and not slander lifetouch. Thank you David.

Never heard of them but thanks for the heads up.

Our school uses Lifetouch, too. I kinda like seeing how much they've changed from fall to spring, although I don't always order the pictures...