From Lynchburg, VA — 04/17/2010
It seems like everyone wants to focus on the negative, but I want to set the record straight.
I've been with the company for a year, and I enjoy my job. Of all the jobs I've had, it's one of the LESS stressful ones and even easy (And this is coming from a high volume studio). My thing is...life is what you make of it. Life can be full of disappointments, stress, or problems. Deal with it, move on, and make it a lesson learned.
Of course, a company is run by humans, so things that happen are guaranteed to have flaws, but so do all of us. Sometime managers or associates have attitudes or shouldn't have been hired in the first place, but that's with ANY company. That's why it's up to the manager to hire good associates, DM to hire good managers, etc. I have fantastic associates, but I had to go through some bad apples to get them. I've found that the ones who had the most problems with the company were the ones not doing their job in the first place.
I've had no problems with pay either. My new associates make more than I made as an Assistant Manager at any job, and this job saved me from overwhelming debt. After graduating college, I was looking at $700/month bills, not including the cost of living. I could barely make it with my paychecks working two jobs as an AM, and I was living at home. I didn't know what to do until I received a call about this job, and my salary has more than doubled since then.
And when it comes to prices, try going to private photographers. I know some, and they charge $50 just for a few 5x7s and 8x10. Some wedding photographers charge $1500 just for a group of 3x5s in an album. If you're not happy with 6 sheets in an $8 package, those are some options.
As for higher management, my District Manager is great and my Regional Manager is great. If you're not happy with your area, transfer here. =)
But for now, do what you can with your life, and it'll do for you. =)
