Black Label Photography

[vcvn]

We had Black Label photos taken on our last cruise (Nov/Dec 2011) on Holland America - Prinsendam. We are familiar with the photographer from being on another cruises with her and she has taken our portrait before. The Black Label photos (especially after Grace touched them up) were beautiful. After you take the time to have the pictures taken, spend another 30 minutes or more with the photographer to look through the many photos she took, she then goes off and touches them up - you feel obligated to purchase something. I thought for sure my husband would refuse to purchase a picture (since he isn't all that keen on having his portrait taken anyway and as I mentioned Grace had taken portriats before). We assumed that the cost would be the same as other portraits taken on board ($39.99). The prices for the Black Label photography is not posted and we didn't think to ask. So it was quite a shock to finally be told the prices. They are outrageous - but we did decide to purchase one - it cost us $175 for ONE 8X10.

Edited January 22, 2012 by vcvn

[Rinderoo]

Very enlightening information. Thanks for the warning!

[lovetocruise2020]

$1200 for 10 8x10 that we were promised would be edited at factory- cuts down on work on ship they said...

 

got them, were not edited.

 

Not happy, still fighting w them. Photos are good but the editing we expected (fly aways, etc) was crap/.

 

I see editing every day. I work w photographers weekly. BAD BAD edit job.

 

I do weddings for a living and see this type of photography very often.

Just photo-shop the darn expensive photos.

Got them 3 weeks ago trip was Oct 29.

 

So sad for so much $. Good pics, bad editing.

Heard they just started doing it this way.

Edited January 22, 2012 by surfergirle

[lovetocruise2020]

BTW for anyone who does not know

 

THESE PHOTOS ARE PRINTED IN FL not on ship.

BruceMuzz, they are done on land.

I have the address on my shipping box.

Edited January 22, 2012 by surfergirle

[wfd]

How much does a photo costs to a photographer?

 

* upfront disclaimer, I'm a Photographer but I'm not associated with Ocean Images / Black Label and I don't know anything about them other than what I saw on the ship

 

It can be frustrating when someone asks a question like this for they think of a photo as simply the paper it is printed on. Wal-Mart will sell you a piece of white photo paper all day long for $4 for an 8x10.

 

From my perspective -

 

My "On the road kit"

Canon 1ds III - ~$5,800 used when I bought it

50mm 1.2L - $1,400

85mm 1.2L - $2,050

70-200 2.8L - $2,300

24-70 2.8L - $1,400

Flashes, CF & SD Cards, camera bags, modifiers, reflectors, backups, etc. - $2,500

 

That's $15k in gear and have a second smaller kit that my assistant carries - probably only $9k in that kit. I carry this and more to every wedding and on any on-location portrait session.

 

My 1ds iii (which is only 4 years old) will become my assistant's camera when the 1dx arrives (at $7k). The lenses last a lot longer and don't need refreshed as often.

 

That doesn't even start to account for the studio gear I use to create portraits, the insurance I must carry, the CPA, the lawyer who helps make sure my contracts are good, etc..

 

To be fair, I don't think the Black Label/Ocean Images needs or carries all the gear I do as they are very specific in what they do. They may only have $30k in gear, light modifiers, computers, etc. on board including backup equipment. When I peaked in, their studio space looks to be about the size of 4 state rooms so that may only be $1,800 per week in rent (they don't appear to be owned by the cruise lines and I am guessing at best), but they still have the same expenses every other legitimate business does.

 

We did not have our pics done by them, but they do seem to produce a nice quality product and from those who have already posted - a great customer experience.

 

Photographers can get a bad rap because it is so easy for someone to stop by Best Buy and pick up a $900 Canon, $500 in lenses and a bag, and call themselves a 'photographer'. The GWC don't collect or pay sales tax, are off the books, not insured, and are not legitimate businesses but sell a 'session and a DVD for $85'. A customer that doesn't know any different will go to the GWC (Guy or Girl With Camera), get mediocre pictures in most cases, and the farthest it will go is their Facebook wall. The GWC will do this for about a year or two - assuming they have a spouse working full time to actually pay the bills - and quit because they finally realize they are not making money (they are actually spending money out of pocket). It sucks for everyone - the customer suffers because they don't end up with beautiful heirloom photos they can hang on their wall and pass down to their children - and they have a cheap taste for what a photographer is. The GWC who could actually end up being a decent photographer but doesn't understand business (75% of what we do) and quits on their dream, and then the professional photographers who provide a high quality customer experience and are priced to stay in business have to work against the perception that an 8x10 print only costs $0.89 to make - why are your 8x10 prints $55?

 

This isn't me being a whiny photographer - I'm not complaining at all - I like what I do and I have a business that I've built to stay in business and continue to provide a high quality service. The work professional photographers do is noticeably different in both customer service and finished product quality than what you get elsewhere.

 

What I'm saying is that what you get with Black Label / Ocean Images is a customer experience and heirloom portrait and ultimately - like everything else - if you don't like the price, don't buy it ;)

[scapel]

[

I would not take pictures of people posed in front of the photographers backdrops, however. That does seem to cross a line.

 

I agree with you. They went to the trouble to set up a background and I don't think it is proper for others to use the background. To me there are better areas to shoot. Real backgrouds are better than fakes if you know how to do your settings.

I don't think that photos are worth more than about $25/ picture. To each his own and if a large group is shot and each person is perfect then yep, charge $100 per picture if you can get it. But for 2 people $25/pict. $50 for a disc with multiple picts.

Everyone charges what the market will bear, but good deliver value for that charge.

Edited March 28, 2012 by scapel

[Kassandra]

I was shocked by the prices too... BUT having a real professional photo session (I'm not talking Sears or Walmart studios) costs. While I didn't go on a cruise planning on spending almost $400 on pix - we hadn't had photos of us since our wedding (12 years prior). And they really were/are fabulous.

 

Ditto! We had never been to a professional, but I have some friends who do photography and I know how expensive good photos can be. The images were stunning, we had a great photographer who really made us relaxed and we got some wonderful photos out of it.

[TheCalicoCat]

Do they work in 10x10 format?

[Kassandra]

* upfront disclaimer, I'm a Photographer but I'm not associated with Ocean Images / Black Label and I don't know anything about them other than what I saw on the ship

 

It can be frustrating when someone asks a question like this for they think of a photo as simply the paper it is printed on. Wal-Mart will sell you a piece of white photo paper all day long for $4 for an 8x10.

 

The cost of my colored pencils and paper are miniscule, yet the skill at which I can render a drawing makes the final product worth something.

 

The years of schooling/practice that an instructor goes through to be able to teach someone a skill (in my case horseback riding) is worth something.

 

I know folks like to save a buck, but I am always ready to pay when I see talent and when it is an experience I won't forget.

[fsdj1097]

We took the entire family on an Alaska cruise back in 2009. We had the experience of sitting through almost 2 hours of photography and then following up with an almost-as-long session of looking at proofs.

 

We paid in advance for the photos that we chose and were promised delivery within a certain time frame.

 

After waiting for almost 2 months and still not receiving the photos, we contacted Ocean Images and Holland America to let them know of the problem.

 

After getting the run around from Ocean Images for several weeks, we finally contacted the Better Business Bureau and discovered that they had received many complaints about this company.

 

We did finally receive our photos, and they were beautiful, but not sure they were worth the price and the struggle that it took to get them.

[mescat4]

off the O in Nov we sat for a Black Label session. As others have all said, the pix were outstanding but as prices are NOT discussed before the sitting we were shocked to be only offered a package starting at $700 and going up from there. We declined the package offered. At no time were we given the option of an 8x10 for $175 or 2 for $375- if we were we would have taken that. We were told that there was no way a single print could be ordered. Since other posters have indicated a single print optiion was offered to them, I wonder if there is some discretion on the part of the photographer on what to offer.

 

I think we will try Black Label again ob our upcoming NA cruise next week and see if negotiation for a single print or two is possible.

 

Ev

[CaveDiving]

I have seen many comments about both the price and the quality of the Black Label Photography on the HAL ships. Consistently I hear that their quality is exceptionally fine and their prices ridiculously high. I have also experienced their work first hand and chose not to buy the product.

 

I think we need to realize that we live in a free enterprise economy where profit often rules the roost. I tend to think that Black Label has priced their product exactly correctly.

 

I get this from the majority of cruisers really complaining about the price but still admitting (albeit sheepishly) that they bought the photos. This, to me, indicates that they have pushed the price about as far up as they can go while still keeping their clientele.

 

I have not heard that lowering their prices slightly would increase their sales of additional poses significantly. And of course additional copies of purchased poses can be obtained easily with any 300 DPI scanner and printer.

 

So while we all complain about their high prices, as long as we keep paying them, Black Label has no reason to reduce them.

 

Of course your milage may vary.

 

Scott

[arewethereyet]

P. T. Barnum said something appropriate, but I can't rememeber what it was. Anyone remember?

 

LOL

[beachblanketbaroness]

I've often wondered about the Black Label pictures. Usually, I hate any pictures taken of me and my husband isn't thrilled with his either. This has been a great money saver for us.

 

However, we would be willing to pay for a really good picture. Has anyone else who feels this way tried Black Label? I'd be really interested in hearing what you think.

 

Marnie

 

Marnie,probably too late in responding, but we sat for an informal portrait session on our recent South America cruise. Fabulous! Every proof was outstanding - - so much so we had trouble narrowing our choices to not break the budget. We've had professional portraits done several times, but not captured the essence of each personality the way this photographer did. Bottom line: do it for sure!

[tomc]

Scanning professional photos is illegal. Enjoy your stolen artwork.

They sent it as a gift. It's the family's choice as how they will enjoy the company's free gift.

[Maimou]

P. T. Barnum said something appropriate, but I can't rememeber what it was. Anyone remember?

 

LOL

 

There's a sucker born every minute!!:D

[PathfinderEss]

I have heard on many occasion how expensive the Black Label Photography was, so I've avoid them. My thought is if they can't make me look like I did 20 years ago, why bother.

[localady]

My family was able to cruise together last year which was fortunate as with kids in their 20's it is hard to schedule any vacation.

 

One thing I have wanted to do for many years were family pictures and had proposed it before unsuccessfully. Well they were a captive audience on our cruise and we had a sitting as a family. It was great fun and the resultant pictures were splendid, I proudly display them in our family room.

 

Were they expensive? Absolutely.:D But really in my eyes, they are priceless. :D They will grace whatever wall I call home for as long as I live as they remind me of my beautiful family during the happiest of times.

 

And for the record, I am sure there are many folks that have spent as much or more onboard in the casino.....and there are those that think I am a sucker ;)

Edited June 18, 2012 by localady

[arewethereyet]

My family was able to cruise together last year which was fortunate as with kids in their 20's it is hard to schedule any vacation.

 

One thing I have wanted to do for many years were family pictures and had proposed it before unsuccessfully. Well they were a captive audience on our cruise and we had a sitting as a family. It was great fun and the resultant pictures were splendid, I proudly display them in our family room.

 

Were they expensive? Absolutely.:D But really in my eyes, they are priceless. :D They will grace whatever wall I call home for as long as I live as they remind me of my beautiful family during the happiest of times.

 

And for the record, I am sure there are many folks that have spent as much or more onboard in the casino.....and there are those that think I am a sucker ;)

I'm sure there are. That just means Barnum was right again.

[detroit70]

This exchange reminds me of the discussion about the whole ship tour! On the spur of the moment last March, we let Lydja talk us into sitting for a portrait session on the Eurodam. We spent a delightful 30 minutes with her and agreed to return the following evening to view the pictures, having no idea what the prices might be. Across the next day, we talked about what we might be willing to pay and agreed we might pay up to $60 for a very nice picture.

 

That evening we were amazed when she showed us 50+ shots--we had never looked that good! And then we were stunned when she showed us the price list because they were much more expensive than we had anticipated. We took our time across another day, considering our options.

 

As much as I had fallen in love with the pictures, I fully expected my firmly grounded, Business professor spouse to point out how crazy it would be to spend that amount of money for black and white pictures. Instead, however, he pointed out that this was almost a once in a lifetime moment and the pictures would be something we would treasure for years, even after one of us would someday be gone. We went back to the 'studio' and ordered 5 8X10's for more than $500.

 

Friends who have seen them are so impressed that they are trying to persuade us to hang them in our entryway so that everyone who visits will see them as soon as they walk into the house. Should everyone do this? Probably not. Is it ok that we chose to do so? Yep!

 

(By the way, I also thoroughly enjoyed the whole ship tour on that same cruise, and my spouse will enjoy his turn at it on the Oosterdam in just 5 weeks!)

[Lynda S]

We returned last month from an incredible Panama Canal cruise that had the Black Label guys & gals as the photographers. During the cruise, I was 100% shocked at the price of the 8 x 10's on display (the 'getting off the ship shots & the dining room shots) as well as the price of the DVD's of the cruise, so I am sure glad I politely turned down the invitation to do a formal family portrait sitting - wow, those prices are much higher than I thought they ever could be! I am really 'unphotogenic' which is the reason I turned it down - I haven't yet seen a good photo of myself. I did buy some of their 'stock' photos though of the ship going through the canal, they were very reasonable, I think an 8 x 10 was only $10.00 or so.

 

But I can understand people buying the portraits if it is a good family portrait as well as a piece of art that will be in the family for years. There are other things that I know I have spent money on that has made me wonder where my head was at. The two $225.00 bottles of wine that we bought our son & his best friend home as a souvenir from the cruise really makes me shake my head even though I was the one who suggested it! :-))

 

It all goes to personal preference I guess!

[toosday]

I was wondering if anyone else here had passed any comments on to HAL regarding their Black Label Photography offered on the cruise.

 

We were approached to do a photo session as a family (supposedly they only have 18 slots available on each cruise- but yet they had to solicit us to do a session?) at no obligation. Fine. We had a 20 minute session (baby was tired from not napping). The pictures turned out adorable, but the price made us fall out of our chairs - $2500 for 20 prints. For the 2 8x10s we wanted - $375.

 

In any event, I wanted to pass my feedback on to HAL that this was highway robbery. I did so this afternoon, when they thanked me for my feedback and by copying the email to Ocean Images.

 

Ocean Images responded quickly in a rather snooty manner, and made sure "just to let you know" that I was only the 2nd comment they had had on the cost.

 

My thought is that any well run business welcomes feedback on their products, services and prices.

 

Anyone else ever bother to comment to HAL on this?

We were also solicited for these pictures and were ASTOUNDED at the price, she was an excellent photographer but oh my gosh I didn't pay that much for my kids wedding pictures. Unfortunately we felt guilty and got one only and she did not hide her disappointment and made us feel guilty. I have had buyers remorse since and have yet to get the picture!

[Typhoon1]

After numerous cruises, we have gotten to the point we avoid any and all photographers.

[Tarpeian Rock]

You could say the exact same thing about the auction art. How much does canvas and paint cost? $50 at most? So why do they want thousands for a painting?

 

Clearly some people believe that art has intrinsic value beyond the cost of the physical components.

 

 

 

Well, for starters, paintings usually take longer than 1/200th of a second. (Although some of the "artwork" we've seen on board couldn't have taken too much longer than that!)

[Forget24]

Does anyone know the email to Black Label photography or if they have a website? I have their phone number, but wanted to see if anyone had any more information. We took many photos on board this summer, but didn't purchase any and my hubby expressed that he wished we had purchased them since they were so good and we were with our children. I'd like to purchase them if they still have them saved for his birthday. Any info would be great. Thanks!