Baffled that school continues to use this company. Poor experience year on year. Very difficult to choose from individual photo options as the photos are so blurred and you cannot select them to show... See more
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Review summary
Created with AI, based on recent reviews
What people talk about most
Reviews shaping this summary
I'm surprised they invite people to rate them here! As others say, photo packages with unhelpful sizes and quantities designed to extract the maximum cash and upsell you to packs with things you... See more
Company replied
I feel very coerced. The photos cannot be selected by size etc, only ordered as packages which means not getting the prints I want for different family members. There is some reference to digital down... See more
Company replied
Outrageous prices for school photos, and even more outrageous shipping costs. Dread this charade every year, the photos aren’t even that good. Miserable perfunctory customer service too.
Company replied
Company details
Information provided by various external sources
Founded by Horace Tempest over 80 years ago, Tempest Photography has been at the forefront of the photographic industry for nearly a century. As the first school photography company in the UK to move to full digital processing, with a digital laboratory that is the most state-of-the-art in Europe, you can be sure of first-class images, every time.
Contact info
H TEMPEST LIMITED, TR26 3HU, ST IVES, CORNWALL , United Kingdom
- 01736 751555
- tempest-orders.co.uk
1.8
Poor
2K reviews
No recent history of asking for reviews
This company hasn't invited customers recently, so reviews may not be representative
Replied to 98% of negative reviews
Typically replies within 24 hours
How this company uses Trustpilot
See how their reviews and ratings are sourced, scored, and moderated.
Paula is the most hardworking individual…
Paula is the most hardworking individual in her department she helped me so much in regards to accessing my secondary school photo. She deserve to be acknowledged for her hard work and efforts towards assisting customers!
Chantell
March 18, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Tempest Photography
Hello Chantell, thank you for your five-star review!
I am delighted to read that my colleague Paula provided excellent service and she is certainly an asset to our team! I have passed your comments onto her personally and I thank you for providing a positive review of your experience.
Kind regards, Olly.
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Awful. Awful. Awful. Licence to print money.
Had school photos from Tempest. Poorly taken photo, out of focus and either over-lit or overexposed print, absolutely terrible standard. Overpriced anyway - an absolute licence to print money if you want a school photo you have to pay through the nose for poor quality. Please schools - ditch this company. Choose a reputable local business.
March 1, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Tempest Photography
Hello Paul, thank you for your review.
I am sorry to read that you are very disappointed in the photographs that we have provided of her child. All school photographs taken are primarily for the school to update their MIS system and for their school records and we provide parents the opportunity to purchase these photographs for their own memories.
However, please contact our Customer Service team on 01736 751555 (opt. 5, Mon-Fri 8:15am-4:15pm) and a representative will see if there is anything we can do with regards the out of focus images.
Kind regards, Olly.
Refused ESA Class Photo?
My son has additional needs and had his "class photo" taken with the P1 class rather than the ESA class. My son was the the only child in the additional needs unit that was given the chance to take a photo.
The school staff asked for an ESA class photo to be taken but this request was apparently refused as they were "only interested in the core classes".
I know as an ablest profit driven company that you don't think it would be worth the time or effort working with disabled children, but I guarantee you almost every parent would throw their wallets at you to have a class photo with their actual peers.
6-10 parents buying a class photo Vs the 2 your probably selling on average would be profitable for the extra effort. A missed opportunity to look both like you care and make money. If only you could see the people beyond their disabilities.
March 7, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Tempest Photography
Hello Grant, thank you for your review.
We take these types of allegations incredibly seriously as we always adhere to the school's requests as best as we can.
Please can you email customerservice@htempest.co.uk with all the details surrounding this issue so we can investigate this further?
Kind regards, Olly.
Really disappointed
Really disappointed to see my childs school has went with Tempest again this year.
2 photos taken (of which my child is like a deer in headlights). For one 10x8 copy of one photo it is £19.50. This is considered an XL photo. For reference, the average cost of a 10x8 print is £1.20 - £4.50.
It costs £22.50 for a digital download of ONE PHOTO. £35 for two or £47 for three. Argue as you might but I beg to see the costs associated with providing a customer with a digital download of a photo and justify the prices. I dont accept this price is to reflect the purchase of copyright or thats its ‘better value’ the more i use it to get prints from it.
It is clear that, despite huge back lash last year, this company still lack integrity. But it appears no amount of disappointed reviews will be enough for them to change their ways. Clearly their profit margin remains high enough for them to remain ignorant.
March 2, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Tempest Photography
Hello Danielle, thank you for your review.
I am sorry to read that you are disappointed with the prices and the packages that we have on offer. We understand that school photography is a personal and important purchase, and we’re sorry to hear that you were disappointed with the experience.
Our pricing reflects more than just the print or digital file, it covers professional photographers, high-quality equipment, post-production work, and a secure online ordering system.
Tempest Photography provides schools and PTAs with an excellent fundraising opportunity through a sliding commission on every photo sold. This commission helps support school programs and resources.
We do appreciate your comments and will share this with our management team.
Kind regards, Olly.
Very rude
Very rude. I'm 67 on My big day. My graduation. I offered £64 in cash for two photos. They refused to accept my cash. On the other hand the gown hire woman was a lovely woman and was quite willing to take my cash. Tempest showed no compassion to an older person and their principles. Huddersfield university. I complained to head office. They never replied at all. Just an acknowledgment of recieving my email. Very hurtful
July 11, 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from Tempest Photography
Hello Garry, thank you for your review.
I am sorry to read that we never answered your email and that your choice of payment wasn't accepted on the day. Unfortunately, we stopped taking cash at our graduations since early last year, but I understand that our Graduation manager has now been in contact and will look into this issue further for you.
Kind regards, Olly.
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Shocking customer service
Emailed the company several times about receiving incorrect products of my graduation pictures, never heard back. I had spent alot of money on a package and sent them proof of order, no reply. Really upsetting as I had left a prior review about the photographer and experience. Big let down.
December 9, 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from Tempest Photography
Hello Zaynah, thank you for your review.
I am sorry to read that you are dissatisfied with our customer service, it may be the case that the email needs to be sent again or alternatively to another email address.
Please could you contact our Customer Service team on 01736 751555 (opt. 5, Mon-Fri 8:15am-4:15pm) to double check that the email was sent to the correct department so we can look into the issue further?
I would also advise you to check your spam/junk folder again, as our emails also tend to be sent there.
Kind regards, Olly.
Ridiculous postage costs
Ridiculous postage costs added on at the end after already really expensive charges for tiny prints. £5 for small sized prints that probably fit flat in an A5 envelope. Packages are all for one print - should be an option to get more than one print in a package. Always feel ripped off after ordering with this company.
February 2, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Tempest Photography
Hello Jemma, thank you for your review.
I am sorry to read that you are unhappy with our prices and packages. We do offer an extensive range of various products, including multi-image packs and electronic downloads. We introduce new items on a regular basis, so hopefully there will be a product available in the future that meets your requirements.
Kind regards, Olly.
First class service!
Rachel was an absolute star locating the codes for our daughter's pictures. After contacting the school numerous times they were little help. My wife and I were sad as we thought we'd lost these pictures. We are very happy to have found them now and we are really grateful to Tempest.
January 9, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Tempest Photography
Hello Tanbir, thank you for your five-star review!
I have passed your feedback onto Rachel who was delighted that she could help as much as she can and if you need anymore help, just know that we are here to help.
Kind regards, Olly.
Very poor service
We received a QR code for our daughters school pictures. When try to order via my phone, only one picture was available. So I visit the website with the same result. Now I only ordered one picture. I try to call the phone number provided. The hotline is closed from 4:30pm. I hope I will be able to get the second picture as well. Otherwise my child will be very disappointed.
January 22, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Tempest Photography
Hello Juergen, thank you for your review.
I am sorry to read that you are disappointed with the amount of images that you have received. The number of photographs would have been discussed between the school and the photographer as we must adhere to the strict school schedule.
However, if you would like to contact our Customer Service team on 01736 751555 (opt. 5, Mon-Fri 8:15am-4:15pm) and quote the image reference number that you have already received, we can certainly see if another one is available for you.
Kind regards, Olly.
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If I could give this company zero…
If I could give this company zero stars, I would. I recently attended my graduation at King’s College London, where Tempest Photography was hired for the event. Unfortunately, I had a deeply upsetting experience with the photographer at Booth 3, which involved both unconscious racism and discrimination.
I am a Londoner with Asian heritage, and during my photoshoot, the photographer smirked when my mother politely asked if I should stand on a stool to minimise the height difference for a better picture. To make matters worse, she also reprimanded my grandfather for attempting to take photos of me. While I understand that this was not allowed and is company policy, when I observed her interactions with a white family before us, she allowed them to take photos freely without issue. This double standard led me to question whether ethnicity played a role in the way we were treated. The smirk only added to the discomfort, and I found the entire experience deeply unsettling.
Additionally, I had a very negative experience when trying to purchase a digital picture. Joe at the stand was incredibly kind and tried to help me resolve an issue with the picture’s resolution. However, a woman in a brown suit with brunette hair abruptly reprimanded him in front of me and told me to “get out” as though we were both children. This unprofessional behaviour was shocking and deeply upsetting.
While I appreciate the kindness and patience shown by the photographer in Booth 6 (where I later went to take more photographs), as well as, Joe and, the woman who processed my order, it’s unfortunate that my overall experience was marred by negative interactions. This raises serious concerns about your recruitment practices and the values upheld by your company. Given King’s College London’s diverse student body, I am left wondering how many other families experienced similar unconscious bias, racism and unprofessionalism during their special day.
I hope that Tempest Photography will take this feedback seriously and consider the impact of unconscious bias and racism in their hiring and training processes. I strongly urge you to investigate these incidents further to ensure such behaviour is addressed. It’s crucial that staff representing such an important event for so many families act with the highest professionalism and respect for all backgrounds.
January 17, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Tempest Photography
Hello, thank you for your review.
We at Tempest Photography takes these allegations very seriously. I have raised this review with our graduations manager who is going to raise this further. Please can you email customerservice@htempest.co.uk with your full experience on the day along with your image reference/docket numbers so we can investigate further?
Kind regards, Olly.
Disgraceful company.
Extortionate prices and poor customer service. Graduation ceremony and a day of celebration yet they charge hundreds of pounds as there is no other competition. Company is a disgrace and should be ashamed.
January 14, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Tempest Photography
Hello Aaron, thank you for your review.
I am sorry to hear that you feel the need to complain about the prices of the packages that are offered; as one of the largest nationwide photographic companies working at university graduations, we make every effort to ensure our tariffs are priced competitively and affordably, while reflecting the quality of the materials used to process the photographs, which is of a higher standard to products processed through High Street or online photographic services.
H Tempest Ltd. works closely with the universities we are contracted with, to compile packs that they feel are designed to fit the requirements of graduates and their families across the spectrum, from individual graduates who wish to purchase a single photograph, to larger families who desire packs with multiple prints.
However, I shall forward your comments onto the relevant department, who will assess your feedback further.
Kind regards, Olly.
Extortionate prices and poor customer…
Extortionate prices and poor customer service. The quality of the photos is atrocious and does not justify the price. It’s the first time my child’s school has used Tempest and I will be recommending that it’s also the last!
December 20, 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from Tempest Photography
Hello ELO, thank you for your email.
I am sorry to read that you are unhappy with your overall experience with Tempest. We do offer an extensive range of various products, including multi-image packs and electronic downloads. I am sorry to read that from the selection available, there is not something which is exactly what you are looking for. We introduce new items on a regular basis, so hopefully there will be a product available in the future that meets your requirements.
If you have an issue with the photograph that our photographer has taken, please email us at customerservice@htempest.co.uk and we shall investigate the issue further.
Kind regards, Olly.
Disappointed with the experience
The photos were okey, but the process felt rushed and the prices are too high for what you get. Delivery also took longer than expected
January 3, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Tempest Photography
Hello Ivy, thank you for your review.
I am sorry to read that your overall experience with Tempest was disappointing and that your experience during the photography session felt rushed. We do say to allow up to 28 working days for delivery and i am sorry if your order has exceeded this time frame.
If you would like to provide us with your overall review of your day, please contact our Customer Service team on 01736 751555 (opt. 5, Mon-Fri 8:15am-4:15pm) or email us at customerservice@htempest.co.uk and we can forward your comments onto the relevant department who can look into the issue further.
Kind regards, Olly.
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Very confusing how to order
Very confusing how to order, process and buy school photos, overall took a few hours to complete
January 5, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Tempest Photography
Hello Caroline, thank you for your review.
I am sorry to hear that you found our e-commerce platform difficult to navigate and I shall certainly pass your feedback onto the relevant department who will assess your comments further.
If you have any more issues with ordering in the meantime, please contact our Direct Order team on 01736 751555 (opt. 3, Mon-Fri 8:15am-4:15pm) and an advisor should be able to assist you further.
Kind regards, Olly.
Last Order With Tempest
Due to extortionate prices and photos that don’t appear to have been taken with much care or attention, I have placed my last order with Tempest. If it wasn’t the case that it was the first sibling photo this year I would not have ordered at all. In future I will instead either take my own or use somewhere such as Max Spielman to have their photos done. £17 for one single digital file is absolutely outrageous, without even mentioning the cost of the package prices.
December 31, 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from Tempest Photography
Hello Kayleigh, thank you for your review.
I am sorry to hear you are unhappy with the pricing of our digital download. It is important to understand the nature of the product. You are not simply buying an electronic file (for customers wishing just to have an electronic memento, we would suggest the Image to Mobile product), you are buying it with the license release for unlimited printing/file sharing, so the more you use and share the file, the better value for money it becomes.
However, I shall forward your comments onto our Marketing department who will assess your feedback further.
Kind regards, Olly.
Reply from Tempest Photography
Hello Daniel, thank you for your review.
I am sorry that you are unhappy with our prices, I have forwarded your comments onto the relevant department who will assess your feedback further.
Kind regards, Olly.
Truly extortionate prices
Truly extortionate prices, for, let’s face it, a bog standard photo. Frame is crap, but judging by other reviews, at least I got one. Also, there is writing along the bottom edge of the picture, which needs to be cut off. Will never buy another picture from Tempest.
December 17, 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from Tempest Photography
Hello Mike, thank you for your review.
I am sorry to read that you are overall unhappy with our company. You are under no obligation to use our complimentary cardboard mounts, they are requested when placing the order and if a customer should require them after they receive their order, they are more than welcome to contact our Customer Service team on 01736 751555 (opt. 5, Mon-Fri 8:15am-4:15pm) and we can despatch them to their home address.
I apologise that you are unhappy with the images that we have taken of your child and should we be fortunate enough to photograph at the school again in the future, hopefully we will take an image that is more to your liking.
Kind regards, Olly.
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Excellent customer service
We received a good photograph but the mount was damaged. After contacting customer service, the issue was quickly resolved and a new mount was posted to us. Thank you.
Please could you also pass on our thanks to the lady who came to our son's school and took his photo in October. Our son is frightened of the camera flash and the demands of having his picture taken, but she took her time and talked to him and showed him how the camera worked, with the result that he was happy to have his picture taken, and we are happy too! Last year he was very miserable and wouldn't smile. Her kindness made a big difference to his experience. Much appreciated!
October 24, 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from Tempest Photography
Hello Fred, thank you very much for your five-star review!
I am delighted to read that you have received a quick response from our Customer Service department about receiving another mount and everything was resolved easily for you.
We would absolutely love to pass your feedback onto the photographer who took your son's photograph. Could you please email us at customerservice@htempest.co.uk with all the details with the photograph and your experience and we can pass your comments further.
Kind regards, Olly.
Shameless rip-off
Shameless rip-off. They charge you £££ for uncut, blurry photos and they dare give you a 28-day delivery. Unbelievable that schools choose this company. Wish I could give 0 star.
December 13, 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from Tempest Photography
Hello, thank you for your review.
I am sorry to read that you are unhappy with the images that you have received. If you have received blurry photographs, please contact our Customer Service team on 01736 751555 (opt. 5, Mon-Fri 8:15am-4:15pm) or email us at customerservice@htempest.co.uk so we can investigate this issue further.
We always say to allow up to 28 days for delivery, this is mainly to accommodate for the back to school window where there are 14 days to collect the orders and then up to 14 days for the images to be processed through the laboratory and the despatched to the school.
Kind regards, Olly.
Reply from Tempest Photography
Hi Dave, thank you for your review.
I am sorry that you are unhappy with our prices, I have forwarded your comments onto the relevant department who will assess your feedback further.
Kind regards, Olly.
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