... So when I won a free photoshoot and picture with another photography company Olan Mills, we figured that it would be worth a try, and I called up to make my appointment for our shoot.
My local Olan Mills is actually a small studio area within our large Mothercare store in the local retail ... Read review
Advantages: Superb pictures, good service, fun shoot Disadvantages: Pricey
...picture with another photography company Olan Mills, we figured that it would be worth a try, and I called up to make my appointment for our shoot.
My local Olan Mills is actually a small studio area within our large Mothercare store in the local retail park. They have example pictures all around their area, showing various sorts of images and packages you can buy. Of course, these pictures are all exceptional and really entice you ... ...beautiful! They all had an Olan Mills logo embossed in the corner, but not too boldly, it is nice and subtle.
Overall, I am thrilled with Olan Mills, their pictures and their service. The shoot was very fun to do, and the girls who were taking our pictures were really good with Harry and with all of us. Afterwards, despite a bit of a long wait, we were given a lot of time to view the images and weren't rushed at all. And the delivery ... more
I'm somewhat obsessed with pictures of Harry, I have 100's of pictures in albums, actually it's a worrying amount considering Harry is only 2 years old! But I just can't help thinking that he is growing up too fast so I want to capture each moment before it passes! We had some Venture pictures done last year and unfortunately they didn't live up to my expectations and the experience was somewhat ruined by the outcome of one picture in particular and the customer service. So when I won a free photoshoot and picture with another photography company Olan Mills, we figured that it would be worth a try, and I called up to make my appointment for our shoot.
My local Olan Mills is actually a small studio area within our large Mothercare store in the local retail park. They have example pictures all around their area, showing various sorts of images and packages you can buy. Of course, these pictures are all exceptional and really entice you in, thinking that you too can take pictures like these home with you! I rang up and they quickly booked me an appointment for the following weekend at 10am, as soon as they opened. We were told to dress comfortably, and to bring a few of Harry's favourite toys with us to entertain him with.
So we headed down there on the Sunday morning, and were welcomed by 2 young ladies, I'd say in their early twenties, who were very friendly and good with Harry. They introduced themselves and showed us to the studio, and told us our shoot would last for 30 minutes. It was basically a big white room with 2 large lights, and some side curtains which had lots of toys behind them. Harry got very shy initially and clung to me and my partner like glue. Thank goodness for them telling us to bring his toys, because we emptied out his bags and he was a bit happier. He was crawling around with his Thomas, and cuddling his In The Night Garden characters, and they got a few pictures from that. After that, they told us to sit with him so they could take some shots of all of us.
We sat in various formations and they took a few pictures of us, but it was tough to get Harry looking at them with us two on the floor with them, despite the big efforts of the 2 ladies! Eventually we decided to have pictures on our with Harry, so I stood behind the photographer pulling faces making Harry smile and we got some lovely pictures of him and his daddy like this. We switched positions to again get some more photos. We decided to try one last family one, and the girls threw a big tub of plastic balls at us, making us all laugh which resulted in my favourite picture of all. However, Harry decided he wanted to tidy away all the balls and spent the next 10 minutes doing so!
The half hour shoot went quite quickly but the ladies were confident that we had got some good pictures from it! We packed away our things and put back on our shoes and socks and were told to come back in around 20 minutes time to look at the pictures. As this was a retail park, we didn't mind and had a little shop around before we went back. They actually weren't ready when we returned and we were sent away for another 10 minutes. Again we came back, and they were just finishing up with someone so we waited there for about 5 minutes. Eventually, the young lady called us through to a computer at the back where we were shown our images.
They only had 2 high levelled chairs there which weren't suitable for Harry so we had to struggle with him on our laps for about 10 minutes before the other lady decided to take him into the room and entertain him for us for a bit. The lady went through the images individually with us, then showed us a few effects they could do i.e. black and white, and sepia images, and a few packages they had put together, which we could change if we needed to. 90% of the images were wonderful, bright and colourful, and captured some lovely smiles and laughs from all of us. After this, she got out a book and showed us the different packages we could have, ranging from £25 for one picture to £300 for a large collection of pictures. We opted for a package totalling £160 which included 1 14x10 inch canvas picture and 5 10x8 inch pictures. This also included the £20 free picture I had won, as we chose to use the cash value of that rather than have a 7x5 print. Of course, you aren't obligated to buy anything at all, but its quite tough to turn them down, they do try to sell them by telling you how beautiful they are, and you can't really resist, but I guess that is the nature of the business!
Once we'd chosen our package, we set about choosing our images. We dismissed as many of the pictures we could because we didn't want to make the choice harder than it was! We then had to wittle the rest down to just 6 and did so after about half hour or so, which seemed to take forever! She filled out an order form, and we were asked to pay then which we did by debit card. We were told the pictures would be ready to collect from the store in 14 - 21 days and so we left. Packages do vary as does the costs according to their promotions, so I can't state the various packages here, you'll have to contact your local studio for that.
2 weeks later we received a telephone call saying that our images were there and ready for collection. That evening we went to the store where we were given a large white cardboard box. I eagerly opened it at home, and there were my lovely pictures! The one one of the board was wrapped in bubble wrap nice and safely, and was amazing. The colours were so vivid and the crisp white background made it stand out even more. The 5 printed images were inside a cardboard envelope, and were just as wonderful as the first. All were crisp and clear bright images, they are beautiful! They all had an Olan Mills logo embossed in the corner, but not too boldly, it is nice and subtle.
Overall, I am thrilled with Olan Mills, their pictures and their service. The shoot was very fun to do, and the girls who were taking our pictures were really good with Harry and with all of us. Afterwards, despite a bit of a long wait, we were given a lot of time to view the images and weren't rushed at all. And the delivery of our pictures was a good time frame too, I was glad it didn't take too long. The pictures were fantastic and are in my opinion, better than our Venture ones. The prices, although obviously not that cheap, are reasonable for the great pictures, and way, way cheaper than Venture (who charged us £18- per 8x10 inch picture!). A great photography company who produce high quality images you and your family will treasure!
For more information, visit their website: http://www.olanmills.co.uk/
Advantages: beautiful pictures to treasure Disadvantages: can take a while delivering during xmas season, constant calls from telesales people
...a baby and had used Olan Mills to have some portraits done of him. Whilst at the studio she was asked if she knew anyone who would like to use their service and she recommended me. I was told about one of their amazing packages which sounded too good to be true. The package I was offered was called "Watch me grow". The idea behind it is that over the space of 12 months you have 4 photos taken of your child or children or family at 3 month intervals. ... ...The final part of my Olan Mills package was my makeover. Basically I was invited to the studio and told to bring 3 of my favorite tops or outfits. When I arrived I was greeted with a cup of coffee and a very clever young lady. I do not consider myself to be all that good looking but after she had finished doing my hair and make up I was shocked. I looked so different and actually liked what I saw in the mirror for a change. I was then taken into ...
carebare 27.10.2003
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Olan Mills
Advantages: Getting a FREE 8x10 photo at each sitting and FREE makeover Disadvantages: Takes 4 weeks for delivery
...have been very impressed with Olan Mills and I thought I’d let you know what offers they do as the offer I’m about to tell you about it great value for money.
After my son was born I got a phone call from Olan Mills offering me a “watch me grow” plan. The plan was you pay £21for 4 sittings over a year and each sitting you get a FREE 8x10 photo and you could have friends and family included as well as my son. I could have ... ...this offer. Olan Mills do summer and winter packages of different sized photos which are very good value for money.
They do black & white, colour and sepia photos.
Prices each: 12 or 6 mini photos (like passport size) £25
3x4 originals with paper frame £35
5x7 £15
8x10 £40
11X14 £55
Keyrings £3
Also if you give 5 friends or family’s addresses and phone numbers you get your last FREE photo in a size 11x14 ...
Toady 18.10.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Olan Mills
Advantages: Free Sittings & Portraits Disadvantages: Cost of Additional Portraits
...that is often utilised by Olan Mills and other similar companies is to target us with freebies in the famous ‘Bounty Pack’. Now for those of you who may not have had children this is a pack of samples, vouchers and not to be missed offers that are handed out to all new mums while in hospital. It usually contains things like nappies, wipes etc. Somewhere in this pack you quite often find a voucher for a free sitting at places like Olan ... ...isn’t. Let me explain…
Olan Mills do not make any money from these basic sittings. What they depend upon is that part of all parents that cannot let a single photo of their little darlings pass them by. They also depend upon the fact that we cannot help sharing and giving these photo’s to every family member we know. The basic sitting is a good offer. It’s free! However, if you’re the sort of person who is susceptible ...
charis18uk 16.10.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Olan Mills
Advantages: Good Value for money Disadvantages: Slightly old fashion pictures
...Watch Me Grow" package from Olan Mills to keep these precious memory of my daughter. I will only comment on this package and cannot vouch for any other pictures or package that Olan Mills offer as I haven't tried them.
The package:
This package is especially catered for children.
Basically you get 4 vouchers that entitle the bearer to 4 private sittings with an Olan Mills photographer in an Olan Mills studio (there is loads of them around the ... ...quickly. In my Olan Mills studio we also had the option for my husband and I to participate during one of the seating, making it a nice family portrait.
The booking:
When you buy your "Watch Me Grow" package they then send you 4 printed vouchers representing your 4 sessions with no dates on however you have to book your session 3 months apart. Booking the session couldn't be easier, there was a call centre number that you call and then booked your ...
Tish29 20.11.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Olan Mills
Advantages: Beautiful pictures Disadvantages: Exoensive if you want to buy additional pictures, sales staff are a bit pushy
...me grow" portrait plan from Olan Mills. For £20, you get four sittings over the course of a year for the family, and one 10 x 8 print from each sitting. You also get a free makeover for Mum with the choice of purchasing any of the prints, or having the free 10 x 8 picture of your choice.
We went along as a family and had the pictures taken, then went back a week later to choose which one we wanted as the free portrait. The pictures are lovely - ... ...at taking pictures of babies and young children, so knew when he was likely to get the right sort of picture.
The only downside is that when you go to choose the picture that you want, you inevitably get the hard sell, where they try to conivnce you to buy further pictures. They aren;t cheap to buy either, so by buying the portrait plan you get a abetter deal - each free picture works out at £5 each over the course of the year - which is nothing ...
Advantages: Its not just a frozen food store! Disadvantages: Offers sometimes sell out quickly
being the current charity being supported. (Northern Ireland branches of Iceland vote separately and for the second year running are raising money for The Northern Ireland Chest, Heart and Stroke Association.)
Finally, Iceland are also involved with the National Missing Persons Helpline, by offering practical support to aid the search for missing people (Features on milk cartons and one of their lorries).
****ON TO THE STORE - NORWICH ANGLIA SQUARE - LOCATION****
This branch of Iceland is situated in the Anglia Square shopping centre in Norwich - just to the North of the City Centre on Magdalen Street (You'll find it in between "OlanMills" photographic studios and "Bakers Oven" bakery and café.)
****HOW THE STORE IS SET OUT - LAYOUT AND PRODUCTS AVAILABLE****
When you first walk into the shop, you will of course find ...
TeenyB 07.08.2003
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Iceland (Shop)
