I’ve placed two separate orders with this store. One through their eBay shop and another directly from their website (order number #47916). Both experiences were excellent. Each order arrived the... See more
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Review summary
Created with AI, based on recent reviews
What people talk about most
Reviews shaping this summary
Some of the kit I was ordering was not in stock, therefore had to pre order. The lead time was 7 - 10 days. However I was notified after a bout 5 that the kit had arrived and was delivered 2... See more
Company replied
Essential Photo&Video are my first choice go to place for all my studio kit - great prices, great promotions, fast delivery, excellent service. A big thing is that the quality of the kit is always go... See more
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Easy to make purchase, great delivery and an awesome product. Managed to overcome the install of my Insta360x4 to the boom on my Supernova racing/sailing dinghy when I couldn’t find anything else to... See more
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Company details
Written by the company
A British company based in Birmingham, EssentialPhoto & Video specialises in studio lighting equipment and accessories for photography and videography industries. Our range includes studio flash, continuous/LED lighting, light modifiers, stands, backgrounds and much more. An Official Partner with Godox, we also stock a huge range of Godox lighting and accessories, including the brand new KNOWLED range of professional TV and Film video lighting. We offer first class service on amazing products, but if you have had a negative experience with your order, please don't hesitate to get in touch with our Customer Support team at info@essentialphoto.co.uk and we will do our best to make your experience 5-star!
Contact info
EssentialPhoto & Video, 48 Brick Kiln Street, DY5 1JG, Brierley Hill, United Kingdom
- 01215523113
- info@essentialphoto.co.uk
- essentialphoto.co.uk
4.5
Excellent
1K reviews
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This company invites their customers to review, whether positive or negative
Replied to 93% of negative reviews
Typically replies within 1 week
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Great Service at good prices
Great Service at good prices. I have always found Essential Photo's products are high quality and quick delivered. Happy to recommend them for photo needs.
January 6, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from EssentialPhoto & Video
Hi Andrew, thank you so much for your positive review! We’re thrilled to hear you’ve had such great experiences making purchases with us! Your feedback is greatly appreciated, and we're looking forward to serving you again soon!
Great service… fast dispatch and…
Great service… fast dispatch and delivery… I’m a bit disappointed only that my point from previous purchases disappeared… they should be kept all the time…
January 15, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from EssentialPhoto & Video
Hi Lumac, thank you so much for your positive review! The points on your account do only stay for 6 months once received, we apologise for that! If you are looking to make a future purchase with us, feel free to get in touch and we’re happy to assist! Your feedback is greatly appreciated, and we're looking forward to serving you again soon!
Got what I wanted. Quick. Fair price
Easy to navigate website. Got what I wanted quickly, and at a fair price.
March 28, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from EssentialPhoto & Video
Hi Jezz, thank you so much for your positive review! We’re glad to hear how easy and drama-free your experience with us has been! Your feedback is greatly appreciated, and we're looking forward to serving you again soon!
Reply from EssentialPhoto & Video
Hi David, thank you so much for your positive review! We’re glad to hear you’ve had a great experience with us! Your feedback is greatly appreciated, and we're looking forward to serving you again soon!
Do not use - WORST experience ever
Do not use! We had the WORST experience with them. One of the lights arrived broken and they tried to blame it on us and we had to pay postage fees to send it back for repair. We were promised a quick repair within 5-14 days and it's been almost a month with NO customer service update. Terrible, don't fall in their traps and avoid at all costs.
March 27, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from EssentialPhoto & Video
Hi Charlotte, thank you for your review.
Unfortunately, as the concern with the damaged bulb was reported about 10 days after it was received, this limited us in confirming that it could have been dispatched to you in this condition.
We do understand your frustration, and apologise for the slight delay you experienced in the repair of your item - this was a result of our team being out of the office during The Photography Show in March for which our team requested in their initial email to allow extra time to account for this.
I can see that this case has now been resolved and the repaired item returned to you with a waived postage fee in light of the delay, but if there is anything further we can assist with please don't hesitate to get in touch.
Do not buy off this company I received…
Do not buy off this company I received wrong orderd video evidence was sent twice, I've tried to call them for weeks no answer. They said they were sending out a replacement and collection of incorrect item, driver arrived to collect but hasn't bought my replacement so i denied collection. Ive adjed for a refund so we will wait to see what happens..
March 18, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from EssentialPhoto & Video
Hi there, thank you for your review. We do apologise sincerely for the incorrect items received with your order - this isn't a regular occurrence and has been looked into by our team.
We understand your frustration with the delays in resolving this matter for you - this was a result of our team being out of office for a prolonged period during The Photography Show, followed by a much higher than expected volume of orders and cases when we returned.
We can see that this case has since been resolved for you, with the correct items now being collected. We appreciate your patience throughout this case and if there is anything further we can assist with, please don't hesitate to get in touch.
Poor customer service and communication
I bought a Pixapro-branded speed lite (rebadged Godox V860iii) from Essential Photo. After a little use it became apparent that it was sporadically failing to fire, sometimes packing up completely. This was within the year warranty period so I asked for a refund or replacement. Instead they insisted on a return and repair and asked me to upload video of the problem. Not easy because it was sporadic. So I returned the speed lite and uploaded the video, then heard nothing. When I contacted them again they admitted they had not downloaded the video footage so I had to send it again. This whole process with scrappy and minimal communication took weeks. Luckily I did not have to use the speed lite for professional work in that time. Although it was returned repaired, it would have been much less hassle for them just to accept my explanation without quibbling and do the repair or to have just refunded or replaced it in the first instance. I would have been a happy customer. Now I am not and will never do business with them again.
August 21, 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from EssentialPhoto & Video
Hi David, thanks for your feedback. Please be assured that the long, detailed process during warranty repairs cases is necessary to ensure that if we cannot replicate the problem ourselves with the returned item, that we still have record of the fault. Without this, we may be unable to pinpoint the problem and then repair or replace the correct component. We do apologise for any delay during the repair process regardless.
I'm a small photography business who…
I'm a small photography business who ordered from here and won't be ordering again or recommending.
Ordered a backdrop which unaware, right at the bottom of the page says since the end of 2024, have changed to a 14 day return period due to the 'unique design & packaging' (it's a painted canvas which came in cardboard?) It's a canvas (expensive) backdrop which I was unsure whether to buy as you're really taking a gamble on these things only viewing online. Item arrived, it's not what expected and I've asked for a return and refund (happy to lose the £45 delivery!) on working day 13. Completely understand it's a few days out but everywhere online says 28 returns, no compassion in customer service, just received a copy and paste "we hope this helps. Thank you for your patience"... Item is still in packaging but they don't want to know, what a shame ! 0/5
February 10, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from EssentialPhoto & Video
Thank you for your feedback. We do state on affected product listings and in our Returns Policy that these products are 14-day returns period when unopened as a result of their design and packaging as noted by yourself. Our team are only able to assist within the policies in question and unfortunately were unable to assist further on this occasion.
Bad experience
After dealing with this company for over a year, I am compelled to share my experience to warn others about potential fraudulent activities. Despite placing an order for four items, I have only received two of them. Numerous attempts to reach out to customer service have been met with vague and unhelpful responses.
Initially, the company claimed that missing items needed to be reported within 28 days for investigation. Even after complying with this requirement, the issue was unresolved. Recently, I was informed that one item had been discontinued, and I would only receive a refund for one of the undelivered items. Shockingly, they could not provide any evidence for the delivery of the allegedly received item.
In an email exchange with customer service, I expressed my disappointment and requested either the missing items or a refund as a resolution. The company responded with a generic promise to investigate the matter, but as time passed, they cited a policy that prevented further investigation due to the elapsed time frame. It is perplexing that one item is claimed to still be available in January 2025, despite the overall lack of resolution.
Based on my personal ordeal, I strongly caution others against dealing with this company. The risk of not receiving items and facing difficulties in securing refunds is too high to ignore. Be wary of engaging with this company to avoid the frustration and disappointment that I have faced.
January 23, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from EssentialPhoto & Video
Hi there, thank you for your feedback. As this order was placed in 2023 and reported 4+ months after the parcel was received, this limited our team significantly in how far this could be investigated. Missing or damaged items must be reported as soon as possible, as this allows us to investigate this with both our warehouse and couriers. After a period of time, our couriers will not investigate this further on their end.
We were able to confirm, however, that the items in question were scanned and packed in our warehouse, and that the weight of the parcel when received by the courier did correspond with the weight of the packed items at their depot.
Beyond this information, we had reached the limits of our investigation, meaning that your case had to be closed. We do regret that we were unable to assist further with this case however please be assured that we did everything within our abilities to investigate this for you.
Fantastic deals and brilliant products
Fantastic deals and brilliant products. The Pop up light modifiers make my life as a dance photographer so much easier!
November 22, 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from EssentialPhoto & Video
Hi Katie, thanks for your review!! We're so happy to hear your happy with our service. Enjoy shooting with your new gear, we hope to see you again in the future :)
Fast delivery
Fast delivery. Received good quality item for great price. Great communication too!
September 13, 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from EssentialPhoto & Video
Hi Robertas, thank you for your review! We're very happy to hear you love your new equipment. Thanks for shopping with EssentialPhoto & Video!
Good communication despite product…
Good communication despite product being out of stock and advised when it would be in stock before it got sent out
December 14, 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from EssentialPhoto & Video
Hi Daryl, thanks for your review! We're happy to hear our team kept you informed about your pre-order products with your recent purchase. Thank you for shopping with us and we hope you love your new equipment!
Reply from EssentialPhoto & Video
Hi there, thanks for your review! We're very glad our team were able to provide 5-star service with your recent order. Thanks for shopping with us!
OK, eventually
Came apart in two places when received, but once back together is fine.
December 14, 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from EssentialPhoto & Video
Hi Philip, we're very sorry to hear about the issue you experienced with your new product. If this is something you'd like to raise with our team and haven't already, we'd advise getting in touch at info@essentialphoto.co.uk
Great photographic supplier
This order was delivered swiftly. All items exactly as ordered. In perfect working order. Good prices for excellent kit. Absolutely first class.
December 2, 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from EssentialPhoto & Video
Hi Andrew, we're so happy to hear you've had such a good experience. Thank you for your review. We hope you enjoy your order :)
Excellent accessories well made works…
Excellent accessories well made works as it should
November 11, 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from EssentialPhoto & Video
Hi Kenny, thank you for your feedback. Thanks for shopping with us, we hope you enjoy your order :)
Great turnaround
Great turnaround, with items that were not avaialble only a day behind, just an easy experience.
December 11, 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from EssentialPhoto & Video
Hi there, thanks for the five stars. We're very happy that you have had such a good experience. Thank you for shopping with us, we hope you enjoy your order :)
Reply from EssentialPhoto & Video
Hi Jonh, thanks for your 5 star review. We hope you enjoy your order :)
Helpful, speedy and well priced.
I had some helpful online contact. The price for my various items was good. I bought a number of new flashes and was able to use triple points earned for another order to get various soft boxes for free in the sale. Delivery was speedy, everything was well packaged.
December 2, 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from EssentialPhoto & Video
Hi Dan, thanks for your positive feedback. We're very happy to hear you've had such a good experience with us. Enjoy your order :)
Great service again
Great service again, good value, great product, arrived on time
December 10, 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from EssentialPhoto & Video
Hi Peter, thanks for your five star review. Your feedback is really appreciated. We hope you enjoy your order :)
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