the picture people?

i have an interview for a part time job there on Friday and was wondering if anybody on here has had any kind of experience with them? i am trying to get my feet wet in the business of the photography world

From what i know, they pretty much have everything set up already and only need a monkey to press the button

As far as actual work experience there, nothing at all. I just know they generally shoot 20d (no grip) with a small prime, and wireless synced strobes...

I worked for them part time for a few weeks and honestly had to quit. Its more quantity over quality. I guess its ok when youre a big business like that but I didnt want to deal with it.

It is however a good place to learn marketng stratagies and how to run a businiess if you can get to a position where you see these type of things happening such as mgr. or asst. mgr.

im doing this because i need a second job but ya pretty much thought it was set up for you... maybe make my own setups or something lol

I know many make light of companies such as this but you have to learn something associated with the trade. These types of companies have been around for a long time so they are meeting a consumer demand as much as most of us hate the concept.

I have no idea what they pay but lets say it is the same as other mediocre jobs in retail. If it is the same, would you rather work doing something that you enjoy and has some potential to teach you something or at a company that you are only there for the money.

Think of them just like the golden arches.

thanks for the input... golden arches?

a.k.a McDonald's

They are one of the many reasons I bought a DSLR... I always wanted to pick up photography as a hobby, but never got around to it. It wasn't until my son was born that my wife and I decided that we wanted to keep lots of pictures of him (as neither of us have ANY baby pictures at all). so we took him to the picture people... We didn't like the pictures at all, or the price (poor college student)... The next week my wife bought me my XTi... We figure It will pay for itself... and in my opinion, it already has because of some of the pictures I've taken.

oh haha, guess ill have to use this job as another source of income if i get it to buy new stuff for my camera or pay off bills its up in the air. but i probably wont like it damnnn

Even if you don't learn anything about the finer points of photography from the job, you'll still be dealing with (oftentimes) crying/unruly kids, frustrated parents and "clients" in general...all good real-world experience in a photography setting.

They obviously have a formula (that apparently works) so you're not going to get to inject too much creativity. If you go into it without grand expectations and take from it what you can I think you'll be fine. Experience is never wasted...you'll learn something from your time there.

As others have said, all things being equal, you'll learn a lot more about the world of photography in general working for Picture People than you would working for another retail outfit. If it feels right after the interview then go for it.

chs4 wrote in post #5400920
you'll still be dealing with (oftentimes) crying/unruly kids, frustrated parents and "clients" in general...all good real-world experience in a photography setting.

This is great experience IMO and will come in handy

i think i am pretty good with kids. my mom babysat at home for about 10 years from when i was like 4 years old until about 13 or 14. hope that comes in handy. wish me luck guys on just getting another job haha

Taking this job could hurt you if you were to apply to a real studio later on. Some pro's dont want to hire photogs that have worked at discount studios.

Plus the pay isnt usually that great considering the pressure they usually put on you. They want the pictures taken really fast and then large sales. I dont know if thats true about "picture people" but its true about the walmart studio and some others.

But if you get some regulars, you could try to get them to come to you directly and do those on the side. If they find out, you could get in trouble though. But if you get enough clients, you could get your own studio.

Another problem with these cheap studios is you get cheap customers. They may think that $100 is outrageous for a package.

There was a job offering here in the SF Bay Area at a local studio for part time work. It included "intensive photographic training" and "No previous Photographic experience and knowledge required." "Customer Service skills a must."

I laughed, and skipped it for these reasons:
1. I work 12 hours a day already.
2. Intensive training? Hmmm...
3. Customer Service, no experience required.

To me, yes, pay will suck and you will have to put up with a lot of crap. Also, to reiterate what was previously raised, it is all setup so the photography aspect of the job would be bare minimum.