For your benefit, we have tried to cover the most often asked questions regarding our products, processes and procedures. Please contact us with any questions that you have that we haven't addressed here.

Q. What is the cost to the church?
A. Church Pictorial provides our basic pictorial directory at no cost to the church. Extra directory or portrait items are available to the church or its members at competitive rates.

Q. How many sittings are required?
A. Church Pictorial has experience with large and small congregations and parishes. Our only requirement is a minimum of four shooting days (15 sittings per day). Congregations smaller may be interested in contacting us about a pre-pay program.

Q. How does the pre-pay program work?
A. The process of the photography and scheduling is exactly the same as a traditional program. However, unlike  traditional program where the sales is done at the end of the session, in a pre-pay program each family (sitting) pays the fee at the beginning of the session.  We do the same presentation at the end of the session where the family can choose their directory pose and favorite casual poses.  The family will have the option of any four sheets (each sheet can have a different pose) or they may take a CD home with them and make their own prints.  You are basically hiring us to produce your directly vs. us trying to make back the directory costs from sales.

Q. Won't a pre-pay program cost our member more money?
A. We think you will be surprised at how  much this will save your membership. Directory companies keep a statistic called a "sit average."  The sit average is gross sales divided by the number of sittings.  For example, a 100 sitting church with $4900  in total sales (our pre-pay price) would have a sit average of $49.00.  The two largest companies in the church directory  business are Lifetouch and Olan Mills.  They train their salespeople to be very aggressive when they do a directory program. The reason for this is because they have so much overhead to cover. Both companies generally have sit averages in the low $100 range.  This does not mean that everyone is spending $100 dollars per session.  Most churches we have talked to have had an experience where the portrait packages started in the mid-300 range or higher and the church members have had to work the salesperson backward to get that number lower.. This is much like used car sales. With the pre-pay program your members will get the same quality of portraits for a fixed cost.   Using the 100 sitting church example, that church would have cost the church membership $10.000. Under our program your membership as a whole would save over $5000.

Q. The pre-pay program sound interesting, but we have some members going through touch economic times?
A. We allow church to designate %10 of the expected sittings for free coupons.  The families receiving the coupons schedule a session like everyone else in the congregation. The difference is that at the session they would present the coupon in lieu of payment. 

Q. Why do you have a pre-pay session?
A. We have always worked under the principle that we want most people to be able to buy a little bit vs. the national companies approach of a few families making huge purchases.  Unfortunately, the economy has made it more challenging to have even most people even buying a little bit.  We love photography and helping churches,  but we have families too that have to eat and roofs over their heads.  We picked a number that covered our costs, taxes and allowed a small profit.

Q. How much time should a family allow for a sitting?
A. We are very schedule conscious. This means that, unlike our competitors, we stay on time. We schedule knowing that larger families are going to require a little more time. A family of 5 should allow approximately 45 minutes. Families smaller than 5 should allow around 20-30 minutes.

Q. Are families obligated to purchase portraits?
A. Only under the pre-pay program. There is not obligation with the traditional or fundraising programs. Following the sitting, each family is expected to review their poses. At this time, they will have the opportunity to purchase additional portrait products, however, they are under no obligation to make a purchase.

Q. What about sales pressure?
A. Church Pictorial's up-front pricing allows the customer to make an informed decision.

Q. What are the selling prices of portraits?
A. The most inexpensive item is $15 and the most expensive item is $109.00 . We offer the flexibility for members to either build their own packages or order one of our pre-built packages.  This allows family members the freedom to choose exactly what they need for their situation.


Q. How long does it take to receive the printed directories?
A. Church Pictorial provides 20-day turnaround time for directory printing. One of the keys to getting your directories back quickly is to start the layout process at the same time you announce your program. We work with your directory committee from the start of the process to ensure their are no delays.

Q. Why should I choose Church Pictorial?
A. The main reason for choosing Church Pictorial is that you are looking for a customizable experience, with a local company, that provides a better value for your members. If your last directory had high-pressure sales, expensive packages and long waits for appointments, then it's time to try a different solution. Church Pictorial offers that solution.