We decided to have a family portrait taken at Studio Cru in Cotteridge earlier this year, it was…read morequite by chance that we chose this particular photography studio as I had received a price list and special promotional price for a framed family print. My fella is terrible when it comes to having his photograph taken as he always feels false smiling for the camera, and I was also worried that they wouldn't be able to capture my (then) eight month old daughter well as she was a live wire even at that young age so I doubted she'd sit still for them. I booked the appointment over the phone and gave a brief idea of what I wanted, the lady was very helpful and booked us in for a photo session the following week. All dressed in our best clothes, we turned up not really knowing what to expect as we've never had a family photograph taken before. The photographer and his wife were absolutely wonderful. They take a variety of posed shots and their language and actions made it fun for the children, the lady even held the baby and entertained her while we all had some separate shots taken and while I was getting into position for the next photograph. In all Studio Cru took around 25 photographs, which were immediately uploaded into the computer so we could look through the shots and choose which photos we wanted. I wanted them all, they were all so fantastic. The photographer had us posed in unusual ways which was so much nicer than simple back to back or standing family photographs. In the end we chose a bundle of six photographs; four of them featuring all five of us and the other two showing me and my partner and then just the kids' together. My favourite one, and the one we had blew up and framed, had me and Mark sitting back to back with our eldest daughter kneeling behind us and the two younger ones sitting in front. I've never seen a family photograph set out this was so I was absolutely thrilled. We were also given a couple of sheets of tiny minature photographs, one of each taken, which are too small to be displayed but ideal for putting in my purse to show people I meet my family. The prices were roughly what I would expected from any Studio of this kind, but the dedication of the staff and the overall experience makes this somewhere I will definitely return to in the future.

I took my two girls to Studio Cru last year for their first professional photographs together. My…read moreyoungest was about 5 months old and the older one just under 4. The photographer was fantastic with them, really patient as the youngest one couldn't really be focused so it took some time to get pictures where she was looking at the camera! The set up is really good, they are relaxed and efficient. I ordered 3 of the photographs that they took and also some key rings and it was very reasonable. So much better value than the posh so called natural photographers that everyone is going for, where you need a mortgage to afford the photographs! I would heartily recommend Studio Cru to anyone who wanted some good photographs done professionally and I'm really hoping that they are the photographers my child's primary school has chosen for school photographs next month!

This shop has always given me good results over the 25 years I have been in Cotteridge. I have had…read moreportrait photos for business, conversions from DVDs and loads of printing done, all of excellent quality. Service is professional and friendly.

Competing with the larger brands of photo stores, like Boots and Prontaprint and the like, and also…read morewith online services offered via photo sites such as Flickr, AND also having to cope with the ease and relatively cheap nature of home printing, must make things tough for the High Street photoshop. A few short years ago this sort of place would have been the only option in town for your photo needs. Cotteridge Photo company is managing to compete by offering good customer service and a range of additional services. If you need some family portraits printed and framed it's worth checking out and they are fairly competitive on price.

Lee Allen Photography is based in the Jewellery Quarter amongst ample shops and businesses selling…read morewedding dresses and wedding rings. So it's pretty handy that one of his main activities is wedding photography, though he also has a large portfolio covering music photography, PR work and commercial assignments. Recent work includes shooting a wedding in Sierra Leone, accompanying the Hobgoblin (of beer fame) around a range of gigs promoting the range, and covering pop-up gigs in London for Last FM. His work is inspiring, and whether it's a wedding, gig, or promo shoot - he has a knack of capturing intimate and curious details of the moment that showcase the emotion and energy of whatever is in front of his lens. He's usually busy editing photographs Monday - Friday in the studio, when he's not off galavanting around the country and beyond taking envy-inducing photos!

I've worked with Lee Allen through a marketing agency that I work for in Birmingham. We often hire…read morephotographers and came across Lee's portfolio through a colleagues recommendation. His work is highly recognise as being creative, quirky and professional. Lee is often hired to do wedding shoots and a range of lifestyle, family and music events. He has a studio in the Jewellery Quarter which can be used for shoots such as fashion, products and modelling shots should you require them. Although Lee specialises in shooting personal and private shots direct for his customers, he's also fantastic at working for businesses. We often use him when we need professional team shots of our clients and also on location shots. These can range from shots of the community for brochures, through to images needed for regional billboard campaigns. Unlike some photographers, Lee will give you access to all the shots and work with you to select the best ones that truly meet your requirements.