Southam Studios

Don't use them. I purchased the photo they take when you're on stage and receiving the certificate, it was $65. The $65 only gives you permission to use the electronic copy of the photo, it does not include ANY hard copy, the photo quality was appalling. When I called to ask when my hard copy photo would be mailed to me I was told that it's only a soft copy we receive via email or download (so 'you have the copyright and can print it as many times as you like'). Why, then, we have to hand over personal information like home address I am unsure. As many others have said, it's a useless service and the universities that use Southam Studios should reconsider their poor choice. I finally managed to get a free hard copy mailed out but it may as well have been taken on an old camera phone. It was blurry, the lapel on my cap was covering my face and the colour was way off. So, even their print work isn't worth your money. It's cheaper to take your nice camera and have someone ...read more

I recently had graduation photography completed by Southam Studios, I decided to use the option of pre-purchase which allowed me to receive a USB of my photos. When my graduation day came, I waited for over an hour for my photos to be taken, with no preferential treatment (e.g. skip ahead of the queue) for students and their families, like my own, who had pre-paid. Once I had my photos taken, and came home to view these photos, to determine which ones I would print to give to relatives, I was disgusted that all photos were no more than a few kilobytes and no bigger than a large post-it note! Having studied IP law at university, I understand that copyright can be an issue, however, a photo may be reproduced with permission granted from the photographer. I understand that photographs can be downloaded from Southam Studios for $65 each, but I'm a recent university graduate, who would like to maintain memories of my graduation but I have ...read more

Our photographer for my daughter's graduation was delightful and at that time we were happy with the service. We were given USB to check photos at home with a view to ordering a few we liked when available 48 hours later on web site.
Came home excited to view photos - can hardly see them because of size and watermarks all over the place! I understand security and protecting the IP, but really, how on earth are you supposed to see the photos?? Several would appear to be quite similar and it would be nice to be able to see faces/expressions through the watermarks.
Then on to web site. No photos up yet, but viewed prices. Absolutely horrified to find it is going to cost $65 per photo (am happy to be proven wrong, but ...read more

Southam Studios seem to have a monopoly on photography for university graduations - and the effects of that monopoly are plain. They get away with a poorly designed website, and very average standards of photography. No information was provided about the actual cost of the photographs when I paid my $40 for a studio sitting. I rashly assumed the photos themselves might be $10-$20 each. I felt deeply embarrassed when I subsequently discovered that the photos were $65 each. No fun having to break the news to family that we couldn't afford the photos we'd just sat for. ...read more

I am shocked and disappointed this week to find out that after paying a $40 sitting fee for graduation photos, the digital prints are then a further $65 PER PRINT. This is outrageous, as far as I'm concerned. I never would have bothered if these rates were visible anywhere at the time of purchase. To add insult to injury, the prints aren't even that good and I wouldn't pay even 50% of what they're asking based on the quality of the shots. What a waste of time and money