I literally just now got my UCSD grad photos back like 5 mins ago and I can honestly say these are the worst photos that have ever been taken of me . I've had professional photos done before and these are by far the worst. All these photos took her like 5 mins to take by the way there was no adjusting me or anything. It looks incredibly awkward and half assed to be honest. I cannot believe I paid money for this B.S. I would rather not be shown in my school directory. The held tilt she told me to do is awkward and the cap looks like an egg sitting on my head . Do not get your photos taken here. read more

I just had my graduation photos with Alexis. She was super friendly and extremely helpful. She really made sure that I liked my pictures which was especially great since I will have these to commemorate my graduation from MSU. I'm very happy! read more

Unfortunately their website is not great. The 2 times I tried to order Grad photos I could not get it to work. However, their chat support is awesome, especially Angela who helped me out today. read more

The booking process is entirely misleading... nowhere does it state that, after you pay your $25 fee, there will be a hefty charge for purchase of images--one image alone is over $200. Beyond this disappointingly duplicitous behavior, the quality of photography is honestly just too low. I was photographed with a crooked diploma in hand, in addition to the fact that the photographer didn't direct me in any way, so the dozen images that I have to choose from all look the same. Overall, terribly unsatisfying experience. I feel conned, especially considering pricing should really be transparent to students (who can be expected have limited funds). read more

We paid extra for additional photos and they aren't even worth buying. Let alone the cheapest package is 1 pose for $175 which consists of mostly wallets. It's such a rip off read more

Way way way too expensive and strict packages for how many photos you can order. These are extremely basic photos that I want and the cheapest option I have is $200. On top of that, ordering these photos has been the biggest hassle. Do not recommend read more

I had my senior portraits taken today at Trinity University by Marilyn. She did a fantastic job and was a lot of fun to work with, in addition to nailing the portraits for each pose the first go-around. I can't wait to get my proofs. As a photographer myself, I can say that Marilyn is a real pro! My friends had the same experience as well. I'm super excited! read more

Even getting a single photo unframed a la carte is ridiculously priced. All the big packages come with photos people don't really want. Too hard to get what you really want. read more

So ducking expensive. They're trying to take advantage of this big moment by milking our money for basic ass photos. Shame on y'all. $200 for a few pics? Gtfo read more

I want to preface this by saying: the photo session was great, the photographer was very nice and professional, and the photos (raw, not retouched) look great. This is the only reason this company deserves two stars rather than one. The issues begin to arise when a student has to order their portraits. Each and every single package is over priced. I just want the digital raw photos and yet they cost around $390 after tax and shipping (you get a refund for the shipping), though their discount code may see you paying around $290. Even this discount is way too high for most students to handle. People have pointed out that these prices target parents, and thats a bad excuse for exorbitantly high prices. Not everyone has parents willing or able to pay that and many students don't want to ask their parents to pay for that. Michael the Business Manager at Lauren Studios has added that these prices are so that people buy the other packages and this also seems like a bad reason. People buy the digital copies for many reasons, I was hoping to use mine for professional head shots and on professional websites. I don't ever plan on printing these pictures out and yet I will have to shell out a massive amount of money because the studio doesn't want customers to buy something that they could actually use. I am deeply frustrated because I've been hamstrung by quality photos that have practical use and terrible prices. I'll also be asking the administration to change studios, I don't want this same thing inflicted on next year's seniors. read more

I would give less than 1 star if I could. Scam of a business, scummy practices. I hope an employee reads this review, and the many other 1 star reviews, and either makes change happen with management, or you quit your job instead of being so deceitful and ugly. My photographer had a great attitude, and I got to take all of the photos I paid for. I'm not concerned with that, as a single photographer doesn't reflect the entire business. I feel ripped off of my $20 for the "executive package", as I wasn't informed I'd have to return whatever proofs until after I purchased, and participated, in the photoshoot. Maybe I'm just being greedy. Well fast forward, a second instance of "wait, why?" AFTER you're invested is being told a single retouched photo is $300. For what? No one at "Lauren Studios" can do any work that is reflective of $300 worth of photo retouching. Scum of the earth. I'm going to go take my own selfies and use those instead, and let my university know about the general consensus we students/families have about your business. Go bankrupt. read more

Completely misleading business practices. Cannot believe this is legal. DO NOT purchase anything from this company! Whatever the price they say it is - it is not that price! The $25 executive photoshoot actually will end up being nearly $375 to get your photos digitally. read more

I'm giving one star only because my photographer was so nice and I can't give 0 stars anyways. This business is a borderline scam like all the other reviews say! The prices they charge if you want to buy your photos are outrageous. The prices go up to almost $600 for printed headshots. Never in my life have I heard of such a thing. They also cancelled two of my appointments and told me if I was more than 10 mins late to the third session I managed to get, they would cancel it and I would have to reschedule. Absolute bullshit. & To charge such a premium- especially to college students is absolutely wrong. Not to mention the prices - I could probably spend as much on a new iPhone as I would if I bought a couple copies of my headshots. Oh, and they only retouch your photos if you want to PAY them to do so. I'm so angry that TCU chose this company to do our senior photos. This business doesn't even have good reviews to begin with and now my family and I are going to pay an arm and a leg just to get some of my photos in our possession. There's not really another option to choose here but if you can, don't use this company. I've never been so disappointed in a business before but damn this business sucks. read more

Do not recommend! My student and I both received two emails every hour for days to remind us of our photo session. Then, when I called to let the studio know about this spam email, I was treated rudely. read more

Key highlights about my interactions and perceptions with this company: - Don't care about the student - Proud to price gouge - Doesn't try to take pandemic into financial consideration - Continues to say, "Our prices reflect our competitors" with no backing or names. - Will keep threatening to delete your photo files I had emailed with Lauren Studios because of all my pictures/poses, all I wanted were the digital rights to TWO of them. The price for digital copies of ALL poses is $349.95. In my case, I had 15 poses so this would reason that every pose is worth $23.33 (but let's round to $25 each). Using their OWN pricing, I would have to pay $50 for the digital copies of the two poses I wanted. When reaching out, I was told I would have to spend $250 PER POSE. This makes no sense! And they keep saying, "that price reflects that of our competitors" and offered some measly discounts! All for two freaking poses! And when you ask to talk to someone higher up, they ignore you. I didn't get to walk across the stage and now Lauren Studios is trying to take what little money I and my family have for some pictures I SHOULD'VE taken myself. I can't wait to join the Alumni Association just to make sure MSU never used their exploitative services again. Take the photos yourself, it'll save a lot of headache. read more

Use this company for senior pictures at ICSB. Easy process of making an appointment and great and reasonable rates for prints. My photographer was Alexis and she made me feel very comfortable and always asked if I liked my pictures and if I'd want a retake. Did not feel rushed or hurried and was a very pleasant experience and I got my desired pictures thank you !! read more

I can't believe UCSD is using this unprofessional company for their graduation pictures. This is such a key life milestone to capture. The photographer didn't know angles, lighting or poses. The online ordering was faulty. We ordered the digital pictures and they didn't send us anything. I tried to call the number they provided and was put on hold 4 times, each for 20 minutes before they hung up on me. Sent 3 emails and they finally answered the last one, but still didn't provide information on how to access the digital pictures. I called again and finally spoke to a person, who admitted their phone system was having issues. She didn't explain why an email wasn't sent with our digital pictures even though it was 3 weeks later and our visa had already been charged. We ordered very expensive announcements ($150 for 24) because we wanted professional commemoratives to send to the relatives. The picture on the announcement is tiny and the wording fuzzy and hard to read. I will try to return them, but highly doubt I will even get through to them. I asked to speak to a manager and someone was supposed to call me. I haven't heard from anyone yet. Maybe this honest review will help. read more

Wow. Talk about EXPENSIVE! But these are the shysters my son's college picked to take the senior year grad pictures, so they're the only ones with the official cap-and-gown and school logo. It's not like we could pick up and go to a cheaper studio. He didn't report any problems with the shoot itself, although from my perspective no one seemed to bother asking him to, ya know, SMILE or anything; we paid a fortune to get those teeth straight when he was a kid, but did he show any of them off with a real, honest-to-God smile? Nope. It seems to me that a decent photographer would have cajoled him into at least one full-on smile. Anyway, that's not why I came to Yelp to write this one-star review. The real problem is trying to get any of these images printed and delivered. (Forget about trying to get the digital image; they want at LEAST $250 just to get unretouched digital files). First off, the web site is truly awful. It's extraordinarily difficult to find your way to anything other than their obscenely priced packages. If you do find your way to the a la carte menu -- I just wanted a couple of 8x10s, one for us and one for the grandparents -- there is no explanation about what the difference is between the cheapest option ($69 for an "economy" 8x10) and the most expensive option ($110 for a "keepsake" 8x10). After several back-and-forth online chats with people who didn't seem to understand my questions, I'm told that the "keepsake" features a bunch of writing around a reduced-size image (roughly 5x7) identifying the student and the school and the major. No, thank you. So I go to order the "artisan matte" finish 8x10s without extra crap around the image ($79 each). It takes about 10 minutes to figure out how to A) order two of them and B) get retouching ($25 extra; fortunately, I wanted the same image for both 8x10s, so I only had to pay that once). Come to the final check-out page and a mystery $15 "P&H" fee has appeared, along with hefty sales taxes. But I thought exactly what they're counting on me thinking: This is a big moment in his life and I really want these damned photos. So I bite the bullet and pay the $218 for two -- count 'em, TWO -- images. No backing. No matting. Certainly no frames. Just two paper-printed photos. I'll complain to the school's yearbook people about this horrendous experience, but it looks like Lauren Studios has been fleecing parents and students for years now, so they're not likely to lose the contract. I imagine the kickback to the yearbook publisher/organizer is hefty. What a racket. read more

They are taking advantage of students. They advertised the price as $25, and then to get ONE unretouched photo, it is $274. They seriously mislead the prices, and dangle your photos in front of you, but to get all of your photos you have to spend $350. Seriously, it is not worth it. Go ANYWHERE else. read more

ZERO STARS IF I COULD! I placed an order finally... 2 years after graduating. About a week ago - I didn't receive a confirmation email for my purchase or shipment email, but I sure did get charged! I have never placed an order for something and not been provided receipts. Not even on my account under "orders" ... that's annoying. I'm only making a purchase because my mother has not given up asking for a grad pic... I dislike my money went to your company STRONGLY. Expensive crap service, I tried to find a promo code - they have them once every decade basically. read more

Misrepresented the price for pictures, the initial booking site does not state that the first price is for a "Sitting Fee," if you want to download your unedited pictures, it costs $300 for one photo. Their photographer was also running 50 minutes behind at 9 in the morning. read more

Customer service representative, Jessie, was friendly, patient, and caring. She went out of her way to effectively communicate my concerns to the photo editor in a timely manner. (We were working to submit my son's revised yearbook photo within a tight deadline.) I am very happy with my son's updated proofs and yearbook photo. Thank you Jessie!!! read more

I got my grad pics taken during the first week of October. I paid extra to get the proofs mailed to me. They told me, in person, that I would receive it 2-3 weeks after my picture is taken. It was already 4 weeks after. My pictures were already available online and I still didn't receive my pictures. I emailed them and they said it takes 6 weeks. (WTF IS UP WITH THE WRONG INFORMATIONS BEING GIVEN?!!?) so I waited. 6 weeks passed by and I decided to just order already based on the online proofs. I ALREADY RECEIVED my order and the proofs that I PAID FOR never came. ITS BEEN MONTHS. I emailed them and they gave me a bullshit answer saying sorry and they'll send it again. Guess what! Still have NOTHING. I basically gave a donation to their horrible service. I don't know why Universities affiliate with this company. I can't believe they don't read the reviews first. DEAR UNIVERSITIES: FIND A BETTER and PROFESSIONAL COMPANY to take the pictures of your graduates!!! read more

Such a great experience, Alexis was so accommodating and let me retake my photos. Really made a stressful experience or taking grad photos feel easy read more

Not only their photos are overpriced, this place feels like a scam. I used the promo code they sent me and already felt excited about my photos, but it took a day for them to review the order, so they called me and told me that the promo code was not valid for that order and there are bunches of requirements for that promo code. I mean, really? Their order system sucks and it feels lIke they are just using these kind of strategies to get more money from you! read more

I arrived to my appointment on campus to find that the photographer had left 2 hours prior to my appointment time. I received no cancelation notices, but instead received both Text & Email confirmations on the same day as scheduled. I wouldn't mind rescheduling and shrugging it off, but campus is a 3-hour round trip for me (remote learning). I communicated this to the regional manager and, in turn, received a guarantee that the photographer would be there next appointment. Student fees cover photograph costs. If I was directly paying for this company I would have asked for a refund with that reply. I will update this if there are any changes. read more

They came to my college for "free" photos. Taking the photos itself was free, but to get anything other than the blurry proof you need to pay $275 for ONE digital photo or the cheapest print photo is two 5"x7"s for $70. This is absolutely insane and now I have no photos. A huge waste of time and not transparent with pricing at all. read more

Alexis took my photos for college senior portraits. She was super patient and the photos turned out great!

Made a $481 order and they forgot to send the digital downloads. Showing they obviously can't uphold their side of the purchase. One of the worst photography companies i've ever experienced. read more

BEWARE! They overcharged me and I didn't find out till I opened my bank statement. I was charged $125 for a $65 service, when I called and asked they said it was a mistake and that they would correct it for me. I know I paid for a $65 service on the day of my appointment. I can understand getting mixed up, but how does it go from $65 to $125? Something about that experience made me feel as if they are fraudulent and were trying to scam to me. Also the photo packages are extremely overpriced for what you are getting. My suggestion go elsewhere. Unfortunately I got Lauren Studios through USC and thought that it would be somewhat reasonable, but the prices are ridiculous. read more

I wasnt planning on leaving a review, but the fact that they constantly bombard my email led me to. Especially offering deals as laughable as $15 off multi-hundred dollar DIGITAL photos. read more

I paid for a more expensive package, but instead received the cheapest package. Being trying to call the studio forever and nobody answers the phone. read more

Update: The owner reached out to me and resolved the issue. My law school used this company to get our yearbook photos. It was extremely rushed and the photographer took all my pictures in less than 3 mins. So of course they weren't great pics at all, but I really wanted the 8 wallet size photos in my gown to give to close family and was going to suck it up and pay that $60. But then when you go to checkout there's an unexplained additional $15 "P & H" fee with no explanation of what that is or why I'm being charged it. I've never seen photos this expesnive (including photos from other professional photos in the past) and then go and add an unexplained fee, really? Total came to $80.89 for 8 wallet size photos that's not cool. read more

The worst!! I was forced to take pictures for the year book through Lauren Studios while I was graduating from MSU. The first photographer didn't offer a mirror to ensure me and my outfit were looking good for the photos. Upon reviewing the photos my tie was way out of line with my suit and my hair was all over the place. It looked terrible. I went for retakes and had a similar experience and was dissatisfied with the photos. Nothing but a complete waste of time and money. The studio made no effort to fix this and make it right. Very dissatisfied. I'll be ordering graduation prints elsewhere. I'll make sure I get wallet a sized print so I can cover up the one Lauren Studios used for my yearbook picture. The worst!!!!! read more

I took my senior portrait for the yearbook at USC yesterday, and I had a TERRIBLE experience with my photographer. I have never met a ruder photographer /in my life/. I believe her name was Joyce, and similar to another review I read below, the photographer looked like she did not want to be there at all. When I walked into my session, my photographer barely acknowledged me, and she was of very little help with my gown and sash. The sash had a strange silver clip on it -- since I wasn't used to seeing a sash that way, I unclipped it, and she annoyingly said, "No, don't do that!" She eventually fixed it, saying it wasn't a big deal, but I found the way she interacted with me already to be very rude. After taking a picture of me with the whiteboard that had my info on it, she took the whiteboard away and immediately went behind the camera without giving any indication that she was going to take my portrait. I had to ask her myself, "Are you taking the real photo now?" And she nonchalantly said, "Yep, this is it!" I was extremely annoyed that I had to ask her whether she was going to go ahead and take my senior portrait without giving me a heads up. What kind of a photographer doesn't signal to their client that they are going to take the picture?! As she continued to take my other poses, she remained incredibly unfriendly throughout, seeming super annoyed every time she had to adjust my sash or pose. After I was done taking all of my shots, I asked if I could see how the photos turned out, and she dryly said, "Sorry! (disingenuously) I already saved them. It doesn't matter though, you'll get them in the mail in a week anyway." Needless to say, I uncomfortably took off my sash and gown and left with the worst photography session of my life. Interestingly enough, my friend had a session with a different photographer who seemed pleasant enough. The lady I worked with, however, was the complete opposite, and I hope no one has to get their picture taken by her. read more

Waaaaayyyyyy too overpriced. Given that my photographs were taken by a 23 year old who graduated last year, he gave no instruction, and the session lasted less than 10 minutes, I'm not quite sure why obtaining unedited digital files is $349. For context, my University said that we HAD to get our portraits taken by this company in order to be in the yearbook. When selecting and paying for the sitting fee, we had the option (for an additional fee) to have photos taken of us in a cap and gown. AT NO POINT did it list the prices to receive anything other than proofs of these photos when I was selecting this option. I understand that every business has a bottom line, but this company was the only option offered by my university, and they (Lauren Studios) took advantage of this fact by scamming students who were willing to pay more up front (+$10 for each additional option... literally 4 additional photos each, but okay...) to take additional photos (cap and gown, other outfits, etc.) that, ultimately, a considerable number of students won't even be able to afford once they are shown the real prices! UGHHHHHHHH. read more

I just finished purchasing the pictures for my son's graduation this summer. The website is so poorly designed that it does not even give you the choices of photo finish to view and choose. I bought the minimum amount from them because I had to and not because I want to...Finally, when you are done with the purchase, the message does not even say " thank you " for ordering or "thank you " for your business etccc. Please put some manner in your business dealing! read more

Horrible experiencing trying to contact this Studio. They are supposed to be online at 6 AM PDT, but that was not the case for me. I Purchased the Rhodes Collection ($700) which comes with (default) personalized wallets with you school name and grad year, or you can personalize it. What they don't tell you is if you want the default, you have to personalize it. THE CUSTOMER SERVICES REP FOR LAUREN STUDIOS SAID IT WAS MY FAULT FOR NOT READING THEIR MINDS. If I want the personalized wallets I have to take them to their office (3 hours away) then wait for them to mail me the corrected wallets. Good luck getting them back in time for graduation. I am very unhappy with this company and I will voice my dissatisfaction with UCSD and other parents and encourage the university to find a Studio that measures up to the standards and reputation of UCSD. I would not choose to do business with this company again. read more

Spent a lot of money on my DaughtersCollege Graduate photos they made mistakes and will not fix till they receive old pictures they will not send self addressed envelope they want me to put out more money for their mistakes and they never retouched photos. read more

Made the mistake of not checking printing prices before wasting my time going in to take graduation portraits with Lauren Studios. I figured that I would just pick one photo to print, so it couldn't be that bad, but it ended up being 87 dollars for one 8x10 picture after shipping and handling (not even free shipping and handling!). Despite having good pictures, I'm leaning towards not even ordering one of these and passing up for a cheaper alternative. Check the prices before you waste your time here! read more