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
While we don't verify specific claims because reviewers' opinions are their own, we may label reviews as "Verified" when we can confirm a business interaction took place. Read more
To protect platform integrity, every review on our platform—verified or not—is screened by our 24/7 automated software. This technology is designed to identify and remove content that breaches our guidelines, including reviews that are not based on a genuine experience. We recognise we may not catch everything, and you can flag anything you think we may have missed. Read more
Review summary
Created with AI, based on recent reviews
What people talk about most
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
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
1.9
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.
Data protection concerns!
I have had issues purchasing the digital download for my son the last two years. The digital download wasn't available fir his individual photo. I called last year and a customer service advisor assured me that the problem had been resolved and the image would be emailed. After two weeks, I contacted them again as I hadnt recmy image. I was assured that it had been sent and the advisor confirmed the date that it was sent. As I hadnt received it, I can only assume that the image of my son, in his school uniform, was sent to somebody else! I did eventually receive it.
This year I am having exactly the same problem! I am writing this review whilst waiting for customer services to answer my call. Ive currently been waiting for 17 minutes!
September 29, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Tempest Photography
Hello, thank you for your review.
We have recently experienced issues with our links and QR codes and because of this we are experiencing a high unprecedented number of calls both in our Customer Service and Direct Order queues.
We take data protection extremely seriously and this would need to be raised further. Please could you email my manager at customerservice@htempest.co.uk regarding this matter so we can investigate this further?
I can assure you that your photograph would have been held in our server rather sent to anybody else.
Kind regards, Olly
Impossible to phone. Avoid if at all possible and petition the school
Absolutely impossible to contact them.
Have been waiting on this call for over 45minutes, previously 15, 26 and 38 minutes.
They should not be in business.
Shocking.
Will share with school to add to growing number of parents complaints, with the aim of stopping them (Tempest) from upsetting more parents.
September 29, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Tempest Photography
Hello, thank you for your review.
We have recently experienced issues with our links and QR codes and because of this we are experiencing a high unprecedented number of calls both in our Customer Service and Direct Order queues.
Please could you email my manager at customerservice@htempest.co.uk regarding your issue so we can answer or pass on if necessary?
Kind regards, Olly.
Awful company, poor quality, unappealing photos, extortionate prices
Awful company. I cannot understand why this company have the monopoly on school/graduation photos. Poor quality, unappealing photos and extortionate prices, yet we are forced to pay for this rubbish as there is no other option. They didn’t even have the decency to respond to my complaint which I emailed. Three lots of graduation photos in the last year nearly £150 just to have official photos of my children that I don’t like. Someone please offer a better experience than this company, they have had a monopoly for way too long
July 23, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Tempest Photography
Hello Naomi, thank you for your review.
I am sorry to learn that you are extremely disappointed with the quality, and prices of our photographs, and that nobody responded to your complaint which you emailed in.
We take all of our reviews seriously and we always pass feedback onto the relevant department if required. Could you please email my manager at customerservice@htempest.co.uk so she can investigate this further for you?
Kind regards, Olly
Zero stars
Zero stars, 10 out of 10 for expensive prices. It's the year 2025 yet the experience, quality and prices are that of 1985. I can only assume schools use Tempest as they get commission and don't work in the private commercial world. Better quality from a phone. It would be better for schools to use a local photographer, pay a reasonable day rate, and provide every child with a usb stick of all their photos for a reasonable price. That way it would be cheaper, supporting local photographers, better quality photos, images provided instantly, cheaper for parents and no need for the photographer to store any personal details or even the images. I'm expecting a standard response to say sorry you're disappointed, contact us, all of our photographers are carefully selected, and the process I've described isn't possible.
September 26, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Tempest Photography
Hello, 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
If i could give 0 stars i would
If i could give 0 stars i would. I paid for a digital download at my daughters graduation ceremony, i received an email saying the photos were ready to order but no info on the actually order already paid for, i have contacted them three times using the online form via the website and recieved the same generic response twice stating there are issues with links on the website and the tech team are working on it and to clear my browser history and this should work. I havent got a link issue, i have an issue with not recieving my order but this is being ignored. It takes a matter of minutes to send a pdf via email so im not sure whats taking so long. The third time i made contact i have been ignored. Its bad enough the prices you charge being high but when you dont get what you have paid for either and then ignored or fobbed off, its not acceptable.
September 10, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Tempest Photography
Hello Heather, thank you for your review.
We have recently experienced issues with our links and QR codes and because of this we are experiencing a high unprecedented number of calls and emails both in our Customer Service and Direct Order queues.
I have raised this with my manager and she has located your email and contacted you via phone and email regarding your issue.
Kind regards, Olly.
Great customer service over the phone
Whilst I understand the negative reviews and to be honest we did not have a positive experience to begin with. Being rushed around on graduation day and then spending £100+ on 3 photos was not great. HOWEVER, 1 phone call with the lovely Rachel made our experience one of the best. Not only did she apologise for our experience but she helped with the fact we were given the wrong frame for pictures and made sure we got a package deal with the money we paid. I can’t thank her customer service enough and how she personally made sure that we were happy in the end. Thank you tempest photography and most importantly Rachel W at customer service.
September 8, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Tempest Photography
Hello Hannah, thank you for your five-star review!
Tempest Photography always aim to provide excellent customer service and I am delighted to read my colleague Rachel was able to provide the same service for yourselves and was able to rectify a poor experience that you received initially, which we do apologise for as we acknowledge that graduations are once in a lifetime achievements.
Kind regards, Olly
Beyond bad
Beyond bad. Raising with the school board why on earth do they continue with appealing quality of the pictures. AVOID AT ALL COST
September 26, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Tempest Photography
Hello, 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.
Kind regards, Olly.
Packages designed to trap you into…
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 so they’re supporting a genocide. Shame on them. Thankfully this is the last year I will feel impelled to use them as my son leaves school.
September 25, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Tempest Photography
Hello Samantha, thank you for your review.
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 and packaging, but also postal insurance, so if the order is damaged or lost in transit, we replace it free of charge.
We do regularly review our prices and packages and 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
From one photographer to another!
As a professional photographer, I was very disappointed with the images produced by Tempest Photography at my son’s school. The composition is poor, the lighting is far from flattering, and the overall quality of the product feels rushed and generic. For families who want a lasting memory, this falls short of what should be a simple but important service.
On top of this, the pricing is extremely high. A single digital download is borderline extortionate, and the print prices are equally excessive when compared to the actual costs of reputable professional print labs. Parents are being charged a premium price for a product that simply doesn’t justify it in terms of craftsmanship or presentation.
In short, this feels like a missed opportunity to provide families with affordable, well-crafted portraits.
September 23, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Tempest Photography
Hi Daniel, thank you for your review.
Tempest Photographs acknowledge that school photographs hold a lifetime of memories for both student and parent, therefore I am sorry to learn that you are disappointed with the photographs that we have provided.
Could you please contact our Customer Service team on 01736 751555 (opt. 5, Mon-Fri 8:15am-4:15pm) or by email customerservice@htempest.co.uk where a representative can look into the issue further for you?
We do offer an extensive range of various products, including multi-image packs and electronic downloads to suit all pockets. 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.
My sons year 11 photo
The quality of the photograph of my son is appalling. Extremely not happy as I've bought from them over the past few years hoping the quality would get better. They are the Temu of the photography world. Please get your photos elsewhere. I cant beleive schools still use them.
September 18, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Tempest Photography
Hello Suzanne, thank you for your review.
I am sorry to learn that you are extremely disappointed with the photographs that we have provided.
Could you please contact our Customer Service team on 01736 751555 (opt. 5, Mon-Fri 8:15am-4:15pm) or by email customerservice@htempest.co.uk where a representative can look into the issue further for you.
Kind regards, Olly.
Baffled that school continues to use…
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 full screen to improve the clarity. Pricing system is bonkers with massive bulk buy choices that aren’t actually what anyone would want.
September 24, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Tempest Photography
Hello, 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.
There should be a way to view the images in a larger format on the 'Add' tab on our website where by clicking on the thumbnail you can see the larger.
We regularly review our products and run discounted pack offers and seasonal sales, so it is always worth checking to see if there is something suitable in the future.
Kind regards, Olly.
Negatives and positives
Negatives: Expensive, sometimes awkward pictures, more flexibility with packs and proving needed.
Positives: Quick and easy to order online with the QR code, no faffing around like there used to be!
September 22, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Tempest Photography
Hello Emily, thank you for your review.
I am delighted to ready that you found our e-commerce system to be quick and easy to use, and I shall pass your negative feedback onto the relevant department who shall assess your comments further.
Kind regards, Olly.
Easy and quick to order
Easy and quick to order. Great looking photos.
September 21, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Tempest Photography
Hello Anya, thank you for your five-star review!
I am delighted to learn that you found our e-commerce system easy to navigate and order through, and I hope you cherish the memories for the great looking photos for the years to come.
Kind regards, Olly
Massively expensive and the staff are…
Massively expensive and the staff are rude. Wouldn’t recommend.
June 12, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Tempest Photography
Hello Anya, 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. Could you also please email your experience to customerservice@htempest.co.uk about your experience with our staff so we can investigate this issue further?
Kind regards, Olly.
Horrendous prices & stupid sizes
Horrendous prices, ridiculous collection of various sized photos causing us to buy some that we don't need. My family would love one but I can't afford their prices to buy any extra but what I find disgraceful after paying over and above what we should - the audacity to make the photos a stupid size means they won't fit in a standard frame making them look awful in our favourite frames.
September 18, 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from Tempest Photography
Hello, thank you for your review.
I am sorry to learn that from the various packages that we have on offer you are unable to locate a product for you. It may be worth contacting our Direct Order team on 01736 751555 (opt. 3, Mon-Fri 8:15am-4:15pm) where an advisor should be able to discuss our packages further to suit what you are looking for.
Kind regards, Olly.
1,262 people can't be wrong
65% or reviewers give 1 star & reading them, it's clear they fall into one of two categories. Either the quality of the photo or the extortionate pricing for the weird combination of photos offered. This time around, I'm OK with the quality, but once again it's impossible to buy exactly what I want. Having 'split'families must be a God-send to Tempest, as it's impossible to get two, large portraits. And who really wants passport size photos!?
It's about time schools fought back and broke this monopoly.
Tempest, please don't copy & paste your usual reply as I'm not interested.
September 16, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Tempest Photography
Hello Richard, 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 again.
We offer an extensive range of multipacks and digital downloads to suit all pockets – and these can be duplicated or removed however you please on our website. Some of our products for new-intake and leavers are done as a combination of the individual portrait and year group. If you would like order anything that is not offered online, our Direct Order team may be able to help. Please call on 01736 751555 (opt. 3, Mon-Fri 8:15am-4:15pm) where an advisor should be able to help you 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.
We do appreciate your comments and will share this with our management team.
Kind regards, Olly.
Rip off
So another year goes by without getting school photos. Absolute rip off. £45 for a triple image pack . trying to say its in a sale down from £65. use any on line or high street photo company and you can get a ton of pictures developed for that. even photo books and large prints all top quality. There is nothing your company offers that warrants such high charges, the paper and process is no different to anyone else. I imagine your sales would increase if you charged realistic prices.
September 15, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Tempest Photography
Hello Andy, thank you for your review.
I am sorry to learn that you are disappointed with the products that we have on offer. Whilst you mention high street photography, we do provide the Image Download which includes the license for unlimited printing on the high street along with the ability to amend the photograph however you please.
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.
Issue dealt with quickly. Excellent service.
We had an issue with one of the Graduation photos. I contacted Shannon, who immediately dealt with the issue & I received my edited photo back quickly.
Many thanks to Shannon & Tempest Photography.
Excellent service.
Highly recommended.
August 18, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Tempest Photography
Hello, thank you for your five-star review!
Tempest Photography aim to provide high quality customer service should any of our customers be in need of help, so I am delighted to read that my colleague Shannon dealt with your issue in a quick manner. I have passed your feedback onto Shannon directly, and she is very happy that you highly recommend her service.
Kind regards, Olly.
Very expensive for school photos.
Very expensive for school photos.
September 12, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Tempest Photography
Hello Sonia, thank you for your review.
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.
Kind regards, Olly.
What a complete rip off
What a complete rip off - this company should not be allowed to monopolise the school photos. The photos are completely over priced and they then sting you with overpriced delivery fees too.
Tempest, you should be ashamed of yourselves.
September 12, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Tempest Photography
Hello Emma, thank you for your email.
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.
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 and packaging, but also postal insurance, so if the order is damaged or lost in transit, we replace it free of charge.
However, I have passed your feedback onto our Marketing department who will assess your comments further.
Kind regards, Olly.
The Trustpilot Experience
Anyone can write a Trustpilot review. People who write reviews have ownership to edit or delete them at any time, and they’ll be displayed as long as an account is active.
Companies can ask for reviews via automatic invitations. Labeled Verified, they’re about genuine experiences.
Learn more about other kinds of reviews.
We use dedicated people and clever technology to safeguard our platform. Find out how we combat fake reviews.
Learn about Trustpilot’s review process.
Here are 8 tips for writing great reviews.
Verification can help ensure real people are writing the reviews you read on Trustpilot.
Offering incentives for reviews or asking for them selectively can bias the TrustScore, which goes against our guidelines.