Carnival Photographers...love or hate..

[ladycaveat]

I think this has already been mentioned but I think it should be mentioned again. Why don't they have more 5x7 pictures? As someone that travels alone . . . I love having these pictures to remember my cruise by but . . . come on . . . who needs 8x10 pictures of getting on the ship at the home port, off the ship in the island ports, having a "pirate" pretend to cut your throat, standing on the ship with a big Mexcian hat on your head and all the other cute and funny pictures? I can understand the 8x10 formal pictures but all the others should be offered as 5x7 prints . . . maybe even a special with five or six 5x7 prints for one price. I know I, for one, would probably buy more.

[cali-croozer]

On our cruises, the embarkation and most other pictures have been the smaller size (5X7 or 6X9). The formal pictures have always been 8X10. I, too, would buy a few more if smaller ones were offered as well. I like a couple of 8X10s for the wall, but other than that, I don't need that size. One year, they took a picture of the teens (from camp) on formal night and, of course, only offered it in 8X10; nobody bought them. They probably would have sold a whole bunch if they were the smaller size; more affordable and a better size for scrapbooks and photo albums.

[Wilsoncruisers]

Does Anyone Know How To Or Who We Could Make This Suggestion To At Carnival? Different Size Options Would Be A Great Way For Them To Sell Copies Of More Of The Pictures.....

Perhaps A Page Of Wallets --or-- A Few 3x5 ---or A Couple Of 5x7 ---or The 1-8x10.

I Would Love To Have This Option For My Upcoming Cruise.

I Know They Had Different Options On Celebrity...my Total Purchase Reflected It.

[cali-croozer]

Does Anyone Know How To Or Who We Could Make This Suggestion To At Carnival? Different Size Options Would Be A Great Way For Them To Sell Copies Of More Of The Pictures.....

Perhaps A Page Of Wallets --or-- A Few 3x5 ---or A Couple Of 5x7 ---or The 1-8x10.

I Would Love To Have This Option For My Upcoming Cruise.

I Know They Had Different Options On Celebrity...my Total Purchase Reflected It.

 

 

They do offer the different sizes as reprints, and the prices aren't that bad (12 wallets for $10, 2 5X7's for $10); but you have to purchase the original picture, whatever size it is, first.

[jima53]

The posed pics in front of the various backdrops are completely voluntary. I've never seen any of the photographers soliciting there.

 

The port of call gangway pics are problematic. If I don't want to stop for a pic, I keep walking. And who wouldn't want to stop for a pic with the showgirl leaving the dining room? :rolleyes:

 

You can't continue walking when they stand in the gangway and hold everyone up so they can take someones picute in front of the sailor or whatever the prop is. Yes, they actually made everyone stop, so you had no choice.

 

JIm

[MSSQRL]

In June of 04, we sailed the Glory for our 25th wedding anniversary. At our wedding, our photographer was not very good, so I went a little overboard to say the least on this cruise buying more than $300.00 worth. But, when I got home, with the help of my scanner and computer, I was able to scan and print copies and everyone liked those souvenirs much better than cheap t-shirts, what nots and other cheap things that you pay a high price for. Plus, I made our Christmas cards with a picture we had made in front of a tree that looked like a poinsettia tree. Made a wonderful card that we received lots of compliments on.

 

I will admit in 05 on the Miracle, the photo ops were out in the middle of the floor and the flow of traffic was horribly impeded which was very annoying. We didn't buy nearly as many pictures as we did the first cruise, but already I am starting to think about which one will be the best on our Christmas card.

 

While $20.00 is not a horrible price for a professionally done 8x10, it did seem to be quite a jump from the $12.00 5x7. When we bought our first 8x10, we really expected it to be about $15.00 judging from the $12 we had paid for the 5x7. It would be nice if you could have a choice of 8x10 or 5x7 for every pose. I guess they are quite wise to computers.;)

[Ellya]

One of the parts of our last cruise that I was looking forward to was the opportunity to get some great family portraits. When else are we all together and dressed so nicely than the formal nights? We purchased about $200 worth of photos including numerous formal shots as well as some port type shots. On our cruise the informal shots were smaller and less expensive.

 

I thought the quality was great and we had a hard time choosing there were so many good poses. There were many backgrounds, and with very minimal effort we all the pictures we could hope for. We all enjoyed visiting the photo area each day, although we certainly did not buy all of them! Some were good for a laugh though.

 

Another feature I liked is that the informal shots at least show me in a few shots. Since I take the bulk of the family photos, I am rarely in any of the vacation pictures. I do agree, however, that they could step aside so that folks who are not interested don't need to wait. It would make it more relaxing for those that do want the shot to not have the feeling they are holding up the line as well.

[Aloha Me]

We've never found the photographers to be pesky at all. They stop by our table maybe ONE time during the week while we're having dinner, and we almost always buy those photos. We don't buy the embarkation or port stop photos, but we generally have them take 8 or so portraits at the stations with the backdrops, and we buy the ones we like best. I used to think $20 for a 8x10 was expensive, but it's really NOT - you can take as many as you like, in as many locations as you like, and you only buy what you want. We pick the best portrait of the kids, buy it for $20, then have 5x7 copies made at home for a buck or so a piece - makes a really inexpensive way to send a nice photo out with our holiday cards. I've never felt harrassed or bothered by the photographers. We look forward to having a nive family portrait done next month on the Conquest.

 

I'm surprised you were able to get this done. Having copies made is infringing on copywrite material (which needs a signed release from all parties in the picture as well as the photographer). It probably depends on where you take them and who waits on you but the clerk at Sams Club was very serious about it.

[emmysmommy]

DH and I had some of our best photos as a couple taken by the photographers - of course we don't typically pay for portrait sittings so this was a nice opportunity to buy what we liked and pass on what we didn't.

 

I don't know if any of the other ships have photographers that hang off the atrium balcony trying to get large groups in the frame but we were amused that they would go to such lengths to provide great photos. My only (minor) complaint was that we had to wait in line for an hour to get one of our photos done due to so many large groups getting theirs taken ahead of us. Oh well, just another opportunity to have a cocktail at the lobby bar!

[EastTex]

I'm surprised you were able to get this done. Having copies made is infringing on copywrite material (which needs a signed release from all parties in the picture as well as the photographer). It probably depends on where you take them and who waits on you but the clerk at Sams Club was very serious about it.

 

Actually, Carnival is very laid back when it comes to using their photographs. My wife and I had our picture taken on the Elation this past January in our formal duds. Even though it was after the New Year, the circular staircase was still decorated with Christmas wreaths and we had our pictures taken there by one of the ship's photographers. It turned out great so we decided to use it for a Christmas card this year. A quick e-mail to Carnival and 2 hours later a return e-mail with a release. The gal at Wally World accepted it and I picked up my photo Christmas cards yesterday.

[TexasFyre]

I'm surprised you were able to get this done. Having copies made is infringing on copywrite material (which needs a signed release from all parties in the picture as well as the photographer). It probably depends on where you take them and who waits on you but the clerk at Sams Club was very serious about it.

 

No kidding? I am a professional photographer, this is what I was told going through my years of training and schooling. No one can patent, copywrite or otherwise make a claim to you. I can take your picture and you can do what ever you want. If there is a problem with Copywrite, then Sam's would not be allowed to make double exposures of anything.

 

What you can't copy, is the way the photographer shoots their stuff, water marks, journalism, etc. They can sell their pictures, like I do, and to copy that is a breach, but not for vacation pictures. There are actually fine lines to this. If a photographer pays YOU to take their picture, then this is where the legalaties come in, and YOU gave up rights.

 

might want to have the person at Sam's clarify this a bit more, but personal pictures of you from vacation type pictures are your property once you buy them. You can make copies until the cows come home. :)

 

And like EastTex wrote: the pictures were Portrait style on private property, this needs permission due to using their stuff.

[cruzeluver]

Ya know, I've never had a cruise photographer threaten me if I didn't smile pretty for the camera, so I let them do their thing and get on with my day.

 

Who is it hurting to let them take your picture? There is no obligation to buy and I've never felt pressured to do so.

[beaming90]

We refused to have our pictures taken all the time and the one we did pose for on formal night that we really really wanted never showed up in the photo shop. We were sooooooo upset. We have one picture of my mom and I at dinner in our formal dresses and one I took of her by Cleopatras or some bar, and that is all. Next cruise we pose for them all!! :o

[daneyb]

Heck... have the fun is trying to find them the next day. It sounds stupid but we had so much fun doing that.

[wisefamily4]

It doesn't bother me at all. If we don't want to have our picture taken, we simply say "no thanks" - It's not like they are going to force you to have your picture taken. On a family cruise, we spend $150 to $200 on pictures. The pictures are great and easily copied to give to family.

[coolestwife]

I agree that the photogs are not to pesky...except for the ones at the end of the gangplank in port. Some of the will NOT leave you alone if you tell then "No, thank you" and its a bit irritating to be pressured to have your photo taken. Sometimes people just don't feel like it and they either don't understand that or don't care.

On the price issue, yes, they do seem to be expensive (especially when you just dropped $400 in the casino:p ), but compared to formal sitting at a land photog (i.e. senior pic.'s, wedding pic.'s, etc.), they are actually a pretty good deal. That said, on our last cruise, we weren't going to buy any then a couple we had met and hung out with most of the week...ahem...."liberated" some and left them in our mailbox the last night. Needless to say they had had a bit too many foo-foo drinks prior to doing this.:p

[Beach4me]

Great for the folks who want their pics taken. Keep getting them taken and keep buying them. But, I've got drawers full of pics from ships for the past 35 years. I would love to be able to get on the ship without having to stand in the line with those getting their pics taken. That was one suggestion that I had for Carnival. Of course, I highly doubt they'd ever have an "express boarding" line for those who aren't interested in photos.

 

A couple weeks ago on the Glory, they had so many photo locations set up that you had a difficult time finding places to sit on the Promenade or in the lobby.

 

I never give the photographers too much thought - I just walk past shaking my head, smiling and being pleasant. But, I would appreciate not being asked at dinner every night if I want a picture. And, I would like to not have to wait in lines getting on/off the ship that are slowed because of the photographers.

[cruisecastle]

We did not find them "pesky" but I was annoyed at my husband who felt he had to buy every one that was taken.......almost $200 later......we have a book of photos. I was not a happy camper, but I did change my tune when I went to have my film developed and 7 out of 10 rolls did not develop. totally white pics came out with blank negatives. I was really glad to have these ship photos now ! ! ! ! ! !

 

If anyone has duplicates from the Celebration August 27th sailing, or pics of KeyWet and Nassau that they would not mind sharing let me know.

 

dondonma

 

We usually spend $300-$400 on pics. They are a great deal and a great way to remember your trip.

[PaigeM]

LOVE LOVE LOVE those pictures!

[nzggator]

The photographers take great pictures! They give you a lot of places to choose from.

You pick out the ones you like or don't like. That's the best part!

If you are still not happy you can have the photographer take the picture and behind the photographer someone you know can take the same picture. Saving money.

But personally it's nice to have the photographer's persoanl touch.

[pppiglet]

I regret not having the pictures taken on our last cruise. We didn't want to stand in line for most of them, but now wish we would have. Next cruise....lots of pictures!

[CMU]

the only thing I didn't like ws when the photographer didn't want to take our picture. there was a large group on board and apparantly one person thought the photographers were there for only those that were part of the group. We wanted a group picture taken and couple pictures. the photographer was happy to oblige us -- at first. When this woman started complaining saying we had no business getting our pictures taken during "their" picture time he was not so willing. Especially when more members of her group arrived. at the time she was the only person waiting. we are not mean people and had there been a bunch of people waiting for their picture we would have been more than happy to oblige and let them go first, however we were quite put off by her comments and the photographer actually seemed nervous to not oblige her, so he told us to go to the end of the line that had formed since she started her commotion. Needless to say we only got 2 of the couple pictures completed.

[Mgetta]

Groups can arrange for photographers to take their pictures and they do set up a time and place for them. Maybe the photographer was specifically there to take the groups' picture.

[sme]

We stop at all the photo spots. The port shot make me look like the tourist I am. My wife and I usually pick a couple of the best, but I always seem to get a glare on my glasses, :( . This time, with the kids, we plan on getting some great family shots.

 

Less than 5 months!!

[MGilly]

The only photo we have from a cruise is the group shot we took - 29 family members - on our family reunion cruise on the Imagination in 2001. Generally, we have one or two posed formal shots taken, if the lines are not long. We DO resent having to wait in line to get on the ship (at embarkation) or off the ship in each port because the photographers are holding things up. The rest of the time, if the photographers are being insistent, we make a funny face and let them snap way. We don't buy the photos, but it sure makes for some chuckles if we're killing time browsing the photo gallery before dinner! During the holidays this year, we'll be traveling with our son, daughter, and (by then) brand new son-in-law. Maybe we'll actually buy a family shot this time! Who knows? And since we're in the planning stages of a December wedding, I can tell you that the cruise ship prices for formal photos sure DO beat the prices we're looking at on land! Ouch!