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
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Review summary
Created with AI, based on recent reviews
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Reviews shaping this summary
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
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
Packages designed to trap you into spending too much on more photos than you need. Delivery also overpriced unless you again spend more. They also invest in Isreal through their use of Barclays Bank s... See more
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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
1.9
Poor
2K reviews
Replied to 99% of negative reviews
Typically replies within 24 hours
How this company uses Trustpilot
See how their reviews and ratings are sourced, scored, and moderated.
A horrible accident fixed
We recently returned home from an awesome P&O cruise experience. Whilst on board we purchased a photo to remember our time away but sadly whilst traveling home the photo sleeve become damaged.
I reached out to Emily at Tempest and explained the situation. She went out of her way to speak to the team on the ship and got us sent out a replacement photo and sleeve.
We are both so grateful for her help and the quick turn around.
Great customer service. Thanks again Emily.
October 15, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Tempest Photography
Hello Dean, thank you for your five-star review!
I am delighted to read that my colleague Emily was able to provide great customer service in your hour of need and was able to rectify an awful situation.
Kind regards, Olly.
Sorry Olly the Chatbot.
I genuinely feel sorry for the poor customer service representative — “Olly,” as he’s called — who’s been left to defend what is, quite frankly, indefensible. It’s not his fault, but he’s the unfortunate face of a system designed to squeeze every last penny out of parents under the guise of “memorable school photography.”
This company’s approach feels less like a service and more like an exercise in exploitation. Parents are expected to pay absurd prices for low-resolution, poorly produced images that barely qualify as keepsakes. It’s a shameful example of style over substance — or rather, profit over principle — where the actual quality of the product seems irrelevant compared to the mark-up.
What’s even more disappointing is that schools continue to engage with companies like this. By partnering with such providers, they unknowingly enable a business model that targets parents’ emotions and turns a simple school photo into an overpriced luxury. It’s not about capturing memories anymore — it’s about monetising them.
Calling it a “service” would be generous; it’s more of a sugar-coated money grab wrapped in glossy marketing. Perhaps the next time schools consider working with such firms, they should ask themselves whether they’re truly offering value to families — or just helping a company make a 1,000% profit from a batch of cheaply printed photos.
October 13, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Tempest Photography
Hello, thank you for your review.
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. For larger group photos, the cost also incorporates specialist staging, organisation, and setup to ensure every child is captured clearly and safely.
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. It could be worthwhile to reach out to your school to see if parents are taking advantage of our more affordable photo options.
We do appreciate your comments and will share this with our management team.
Kind regards, Olly
Just a huge con
Just a huge con! Money money money
Disgusting prices. Should be more affordable for parents. I was £30 for 2 pics downloaded sent to my email
Get a grip Tempest!!!
October 13, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Tempest Photography
Hello, thank you for your review.
We do offer an extensive range of products and packages to suit all pockets, including digital downloads.
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. We store the images in a digital archive should our parents not be able to purchase at the time the images are taken, and who may wish to have the opportunity to do so at a later stage.
Kind regards, Olly.
Total Rip-Off
Total Rip-Off. At my daughter’s previous school last year, a digital photo download (from Pret-a-Portrait), hi-res and suitable for printing, was less than £10. Therefore the £23 requested by Tempest is the very definition of a rip-off. There are no excuses they can make, it’s just price-gouging from parents who have no choice. I won’t be funding this company.
October 12, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Tempest Photography
Hi Andrew, 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. We store the images in a digital archive should our parents not be able to purchase at the time the images are taken, and who may wish to have the opportunity to do so at a later stage.
We do offer an extensive range of various products, including multi-image packs and electronic downloads. However, 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
The social media download offers an…
The social media download offers an afordable option. However, the file has just 253K, which is really of low quality.
September 17, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Tempest Photography
Hello Antheia, thank you for your review.
Our Social Media Download is a low-resolution image that is used for screensavers or an image for your phone only.
If you require a higher resolution to print from, you will need to purchase the standard Image Download.
Kind regards, Olly.
How do they keep getting the contract?!
Another year of this terrible company taking our school photos, how?!
Our 3 'options' are the SAME PHOTO! They just zoom in a bit more each time, utter disgrace!
October 9, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Tempest Photography
Hello Stuart, thank you for your review.
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. It could be worthwhile to reach out to your school to see if parents are taking advantage of our more affordable photo options.
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, and they usually ask for a traditional and then a contemporary image for variety.
Should we be fortunate enough to photograph your child again in the future, hopefully we will capture some images that are to your satisfaction.
Kind regards, Olly.
Still unable to download a digital copy…
Still unable to download a digital copy of the photo we've ordered and paid for. The website just keeps saying the image is not available yet, try again in a couple of days. Days later still not available, waited another few days, still not available. What on earth is going on. Emails ignored, and ridiculous prices for what we ordered. Very disappointing 0/5 stars.
October 9, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Tempest Photography
Hello, thank you for your review.
We have recently received an unprecedented number of calls and emails so please accept my sincerest apologies that your email has not been answered.
I have privately messaged you for your order details or email address so i can investigate this issue further for you.
Alternatively, you can email customerservice@htempest.co.uk which will go directly to my manager, please include in your subject bar 'Trustpilot Reply'.
Kind regards, Olly.
Awful company
Awful company, they ignore emails, couldn't care less about your child's photos, they just want to get in and out...then paid.
Pathetic. Avoid at all costs.
September 19, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Tempest Photography
Hello Paul, thank you for your review.
We have been extremely busy recently, so please accept our sincerest apologies that we have not answered your email.
We do say to allow between 3-5 working days for us to respond to your email, however, it appears that it is not in our Customer Service inbox.
Could you please email my manager at customerservice@htempest.co.uk to see how we can help?
Kind regards, Olly
Awful
Awful - simply awful photos. Son’s jumper matches the background so he looks like a floating head! Lighting is dreadful and capture itself is just horrendous.
I cannot understand why the school continue to use them when there are so many talented local firms.
October 8, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Tempest Photography
Hello Hayley, thank you for your review.
Tempest Photography understand that school photographs hold a lifetime of memories and I am sorry to learn that you are disappointed with what you have received.
Any discussions surrounding studio set up (for example, background choice) are in discussion between the photographer and the school and it is unfortunate that the school jumper matched the background. Could you 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 further?
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. It could be worthwhile to reach out to your school to see if parents are taking advantage of our more affordable photo options.
Kind regards, Olly.
After working in the photo processing…
After working in the photo processing industry, I understand that a few companies that conduct school photographs have to make some money in the service they provide, but to be honest, Tempest take the piss. The cost for a C41 colour photo print for a 8x10 would be 39p, add some profit margin for the company and staff costs, then I would be willing to pay £4 but Tempest are charging £19 for a 7x5. ok some might say it is to cover their costs in photographic expertise when the photo is taken.....erm no. you get better image quality now on an iphone. Schools could do this themselves.
Tempest take the piss, simple as that
October 6, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Tempest Photography
Hello, thank you for your review.
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. For larger group photos, the cost also incorporates specialist staging, organisation, and setup to ensure every child is captured clearly and safely.
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. It could be worthwhile to reach out to your school to see if parents are taking advantage of our more affordable photo options.
We do appreciate your comments and will share this with our management team.
Kind regards, Olly
Initially difficult to contact but they got back and sorted things.
UPDATE: Tempest did get hold of me and have confirmed that I should receive my order before we move as it's due to be shipped today 14.10 25. They have been in contact since I first emailed after a few days and seems all may be sorted out now. Well done. (Odered my son's photo's last week - could not confirm delivery ahead of time like I could for my daughters school. They arriving after we moving away. You think I can reach someone on the phone to speak to. They are very busy as soon as the line opens and hour later I must call in their office hours which I am calling in. 8:15-16:15 Mon to Fri and make it make sense.)
October 6, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Tempest Photography
Hello Charlie, thank you for your review.
On our email confirmations it states to allow up to 28 days for delivery, and you should receive a Royal Mail tracking number from time of despatch.
However, I raised this with my manager who has located your email and you should receive a reply as soon as possible.
Kind regards, Olly.
An absolute joke on cost
An absolute joke on cost. An utter rip-off. Here’s the thing - what choice do we have if we want school photos of our children? None.
A monopoly at its very worst.
And the biggest joke? £5 for delivery of ONE PHOTO.
Bandits.
October 5, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Tempest Photography
Hello Lee, thank you for your review.
We do offer an extensive range of various products, including multi-image packs and electronic downloads, to suit all pockets, therefore, I am sorry to read that from the selection available, there is not something which is exactly what you are looking for.
The delivery charge only applies if the order is placed outside of the free 14-day back to school delivery option, if the school has requested for direct ordering only or the customer opts for home delivery. It also is not just postage packaging and individual handling, but also postal insurance, so if the order is damaged or lost in transit, we replace it free of charge.
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
Lazy work that costs a fortune
Lazy work that costs a fortune.
I received 2 photos from the school, both my son’s hair is a mess and one he wasn’t even ready in the photo. Super disappointed because this was his first ever school photo and they’re both not good. Just 2 second more care is all it would have taken. Now I get to pay £20 for 1 photo or £30 for both? All packages are over priced.
October 3, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Tempest Photography
Hello Beth, thank you for your review.
It is disappointing to read that you are unhappy with your children's pictures. Unfortunately, our photographers do rely on the pupils being presented to them "photo-ready", as they are limited in their interactions with the children in terms of commenting on or adjusting appearance. This is in case they inadvertently cause undue upset or offence.
Please can you contact our Customer Service team on 01736 751555 (opt. 5, Mon-Fri 8:15am-4:15pm) where an advisor can investigate this further to see if there is anything that we can do?
Kind regards, Olly.
Severely overpriced
Severely overpriced. £23 for a digital download. So it’s just cost me £69 for a digital download of all three of my children. They make the social media quality ones so poor that you can’t print them off. Complete rip offs for poor quality photos. How many pupils are there in the school? Do they really need to charge these extortionate prices. This is the most expensive school photographer I have came across.
October 3, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Tempest Photography
Hello Hollie, thank you for your review.
We do currently have an offer on our Triple Image Download at a price of £36.00 which should have been made available through our website and if not, our Direct Order team would have been able to amend.
Please can you email us at customerservice@htempest.co.uk and an advisor can investigate this further for you?
Kind regards, Olly.
£30 for 2 digital downloads is daylight…
£30 for 2 digital downloads is daylight robbery. Had little choice as I wanted the photos of my first and only child in his uniform, but I will be highly unlikely to order again.
October 2, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Tempest Photography
Hello Claire, 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, we carry an extensive range of products on our website and if you have any queries regarding ordering, please contact our Direct Order team on 01736 751555 (opt. 3, Mon-Fri 8:15am-4:15pm).
Kind regards, Olly
I had a problem with the website
I had a problem with the website. I couldn't find my daughters picture and the website was not working for 2 days so I missed the cut off time for free delivery. I emailed Shannon and she sorted the problem in no time! When I managed to sign in I got the free delivery back :)
October 1, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Tempest Photography
Hello Diana, thank you for your five-star review!
We appreciate all comments and I am delighted to learn that my colleague Shannon was able to sort your problem and you were still in time for the back to school.
Should you have any more queries or issues, please do not hesitate to contact Customer Service on 01736 751555 (opt. 5, Mon-Fri 8:15am-4:15pm).
Kind regards, Olly
This company is used by school
This company is used by school, yet the cost to purchase images is extremely expensive and the quality of the media poor. I would at all costs avoid using. If your school intends or is currently using this business, I would recommend complaining to the school (in numbers) to find other firms. As a former photographer I just cannot get past the poor quality for the price. They disgust me.
September 24, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Tempest Photography
Hello Leonard, thank you for your review.
Thank you for sharing your feedback. 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. For larger group photos, the cost also incorporates specialist staging, organisation, and setup to ensure every child is captured clearly and safely.
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. It could be worthwhile to reach out to your school to see if parents are taking advantage of our more affordable photo options.
We do appreciate your comments and will share this with our management team.
Kind regards, Olly
Worst School Photo Ever
My granddaughter's school used this company for the first time this year to take student portraits, having previously worked with a local photographer who consistently delivered excellent results. Unfortunately, the photos taken this year were awful.
My granddaughter's images reflected a lack of care and attention—her hair was messy, her uniform untidy, and her expressions poorly captured. It’s clear that the photos were rushed and that minimal effort was made to ensure a presentable final product.
Regrettably, we will not be purchasing any of the photos this year.
------------------------------
Dear Olly,
Thank you for your response.
While I understand the limitations around photographer interaction, the results this year were clearly substandard. A basic level of care and attention—ensuring children are reasonably presentable and capturing a natural expression—should not be too much to expect from a professional service.
Compared to the consistently high standard delivered by the school’s previous photographer, this year’s effort felt rushed and careless. I hope serious consideration is given to improving both quality and process going forward.
September 22, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Tempest Photography
Hello, thank you for your review.
It is disappointing to read that you are unhappy with your children's pictures. Unfortunately, our photographers do rely on the pupils being presented to them "photo-ready", as they are limited in their interactions with the children in terms of commenting on or adjusting appearance. This is in case they inadvertently cause undue upset or offence.
Our photographers always endeavour to obtain the best expressions of the children that are possible on the day. However, we do not share the intimate knowledge you have of how your daughter would usually respond or react when having her photograph taken and we are sorry that the results did not match your expectations.
Should we be fortunate enough to photograph your daughter again in the future, hopefully we will capture some images that are to your satisfaction.
Kind regards, Olly
Easy to order
Easy to order and actually had a pack that I wanted at a decent price. All I wanted was 4 desk photos without all the other sizes and they had it. £14. Could add other children’s photos to the same order too. Thanks.
September 30, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Tempest Photography
Hello Louise, thank you for your five-star review!
I am delighted to read that you were able to easily navigate our ecommerce system and that you were able to find a package that suited your individual needs.
Kind regards, Olly.
Extremely poor quality and extortionate…
Extremely poor quality and extortionate prices of my daughter's recent graduation photos. Tempest photography purport to use "highly trained" and professional photographers however the delivered photographs are extremely poor quality, over-exposed and washed-out. We paid almost GBP150 for just 5 photos, ridiculous considering the end quality. I would certainly not recommend using this company.
July 29, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Tempest Photography
Hello, thank you for your review.
Tempest Photography understand that graduations are one in a lifetime events, so I am sorry to learn that the photographs that you have received were not up to standard.
Please can you contact us at customerservice@htempest.co.uk where we investigate the poor quality further?
Kind regards, Olly.
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