Cady  Avis 191

Wish I could give a zero! On June 5th, I scheduled my son's session for October 7th. I received email confirmation when I scheduled and also confirmation on October 6th confirming the session for the next day. Cady didn't show up for the portraits at his school. I received an email at 3PM (his session was scheduled for 12:15 PM), rescheduling for October 24th. I tried to book a professional photographer at that point, but no one had availability that could meet the yearbook submission deadline. I didn't receive the proof portfolio until the week of Thanksgiving. I went online to choose his portrait and it had already been chosen. Of course, they chose the one picture that we didn't want. The pictures were subpar, digital so they could see the issues but they didn't take a better one. I tried to order one digital pic and the minimum cost was $300. Unprofessional and overpriced.

Horrible! You think you’re getting a good deal and then they slap you with ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR YOUR PHOTOS???!?! ON DIGITAL?!? They told us it would be about $300 for the photos, but what is strictly to get the shoot done, in order to actually receive the digital photos you have to pay an additional $900!! Mediocre photos that could have been done on a modern iPhone. I paid over $1,000 and I only liked about 4 of the photos I revived back. Do not come to this place, it is the biggest scam!!!

Somehow, I signed up with them through my kids school and I highly regret it. They have sent me 16 text messages in three months which I think is absolutely absurd. I’ve heard others complaining about the amount of emails and spam they sent out but it’s really intrusive and very sad way to do business. I finally unsubscribe from Elder communication. The only reason I had not is because I didn’t wanna miss anything important for my kids portraits but at this point I have to cut my losses cause it’s really starting to anger me

They are crooks.
I have two degrees and have been a nurse for 20 years. I read . I make sure of stipulations.
They put their’s in fine print AFTER checkout, and I was billed TEN MONTHS LATER. Just today in fact . I’m locking the card and disputing the charge. I offered to send the portfolio back bc the pictures were not only terrible , but that portfolio is a joke . The portfolio itself isn’t worth $238 . They also make sure to charge you their shipping it to you. You have 60 days to return it but they don’t notify you AT ALL, they wait and then charge 10 months later ??? And after calling , no compromise , not willing to work with the customer. If your child is a senior and the school is using this company, refuse and make sure the school knows it. When you pay the base package ( bc I had an actual senior shoot with actual professional pictures not this junk) you are committing to receiving the portfolio and if you don’t send it back in that 60 days they will charge you whenever they feel like it for it. Over $100 for a rinky dink “thing” that is not a portfolio nor good portrait print . Scammers. Shut them down

Absolutely the worst experience ever! 5 stars for ruining the most special time of my daughter's year!
I've been dealing with them since September to get a simple task done, premium retouching. I was told it was completed, and found out it was never done. Trying to get it resolved for the yearbook. Hopefully they can get it done in time.

Showed up on time for photo shoot but still took 3 hours to get all pics taken. Ridiculous system of "jump in any line and wait."

Day of photo purchase you'll need to get a loan because they are very expensive. AND, don't even believe that just because they have a promo going on that they are going to honor it. I'm currently trying to get them to honor 2 promos for us.

We ordered the basic package and as soon as I said "we just want the basic package" our presenter said, and I quote, "That's all you are going to get?" I am not broke by any means but I sure felt looked down on. For the remainder of the time we were there, I was just heated over the treatment I received.

HATED the experience and I wish we had just hired a local person to take our daughter's photos and gotten them printed local. MUCH less expansive and stressful.

My child had to sign up to get a picture taken for the yearbook, and pay $30. Then they sent us a portfolio of really bad photos later. We didn't want them so they were put aside, as we didn't order them. The photos were low end, bad lighting. They charged us for this and won't refund the money, and we had no idea. It's a scam and schools shouldn't require their kids to sign up for it.

Very abusive pricing and I strongly believe that WCPSS replace it with a good service provider.

I would give it zero stars if possible. The bottom line is that to get the digital pictures, it will cost you 1,800.00, plus a $200.00 sitting fee. They do not let you know that until you get there to take the pictures and you have already paid the sitting fee. We ended up getting the cheapest package 1 photo printed on sheets that you do not have the rights to and 2 digital pictures that cost us $450.00 with tax, shipping, and sitting fee! Attention all parents: email your high schools and let the principals and assistant principals know what is going on so they do not renew the contract with them next year! I trusted this company because the high school promoted them. The school administration does not know this is happening to parents unless we tell them!

Horrible experience top to bottom. We live in a digital world and the experience was so hard to get anything done over the phone or online. I ordered the most expensive package, my daughter only wanted the yearbook photo and I had to jump through hoops to get a photo uploaded to my account so I could see it and approve it for the yearbook. The company needs to move into the age of efficiency and convenience for the customer

Dear Cady Team,
My daughter and I visited Cady on Friday, November 7, 2025, for her 10:45AM senior photo session. We visited the Powers Ferry location Unfortunately; our experience was extremely disappointing and felt like a complete rip-off. I’m sharing this in hopes that you’ll take this feedback seriously and make improvements for future families.
First, I want to recognize Zion, who was truly the highlight of our visit. From the moment we arrived, he checked in with us, talked to my daughter about college, and made sure we were comfortable throughout the day—even when he wasn’t the photographer for our session. His attitude, professionalism, and genuine care stood out. He was friendly, engaged, and went out of his way to help everyone. You need more team members like him.
Unfortunately, the rest of our experience did not reflect the same level of care.
Poor organization: Our appointment was at 10:45 a.m., but the first photos didn’t start until around 12 p.m. We didn’t leave until about 3:30 p.m. Nothing but teenagers working in the facility. Now, I am not saying that they are not photographers, but most of them lacked customer service skills. It was just a job for them. Every photographer I’ve ever known brings kindness, creativity, and energy to their work. They keep you laughing so they can capture those genuine smiles, use strong composition and attention to detail to make every shot perfect, and have customer service skills that go through the roof. Well not at CADY. It feels like Cady is taking advantage by using mostly teenagers and college students for low-cost labor while charging families astronomical prices for the photos. I understand giving future photographers experience, but it shouldn’t come at the expense of our time, money, and expectations.
Unclear pricing and expectations: When booking, no one explained that the session fee and presentation fee (about $180–$190 total) only covered the sitting—no photos included. Which means I was shocked to learn at checkout that packages started at $179 for just one pose and went up to around $899, and that you cannot buy just the portfolio for $199 unless you purchase a larger package. I have already paid between $129-149.. I can't quite remember the exact price, and when I was checking out at the front counter on Friday, they charged me $50.00 for the presentation appointment. This is ridiculous. Then I was also told at check out that I do not get a portfolio with the total price I have already paid. To get the portfolio, I must purchase a photo package. I explained to the gentleman that I am used to that being a part of the senior portrait package. But I do know that every company operates differently.
Lack of transparency: Families deserve to know up front what the fees include and what the photo packages cost. It’s not right to find out at checkout after spending several hours there.
Poor customer service: One male photographer was extremely unprofessional—dismissive, uninterested, and allowed an “elite client” to skip the line with no explanation or courtesy. If some clients receive priority service, that needs to be clearly communicated when appointments are made, or when the customer checks in.
Amenities and atmosphere: We were there over four hours with no offered water (only coffee). For a senior portrait experience that’s supposed to be special, this felt very unwelcoming.
Overall, Cady’s process feels focused more on profit than customer experience. These are once-in-a-lifetime senior memories, and families are already spending plenty on senior year expenses. The lack of honesty and organization made this experience frustrating and disappointing.

Please consider being transparent from the beginning—explain what’s included in the session, outline all package prices up front, and ensure that all staff provide the same level of professionalism and courtesy that Zion demonstrated.

Again, I want to personally thank Zion and Aaliyah, who were kind and helpful despite everything else. They represent what your company should be. Also I would like to add, the make-up artist De'Adra (not sure if spelled correctly) But she was nice when we walked in as well with a welcoming smile. We did not have make up completed but she was still great!

Sincerely,
Parent of a Henry County High School Senior

Worst customer service ever. Horrible experience we have ever had. The customer service team in Nashville is the most unhelpful. If I could rate them a 0 I would. Buyer beware. Sad this is the only option schools give you.

Absolutely disgusting & deceptive company! Holding my daughter's senior photos hostage since I purchased a $129 session. Will not allow us to purchase ANY photos without attending a presentation and booking it with a nonrefundable $50 fee! Akin to a Timeshare presentation & a Scam company. I am appalled that they will not allow us to purachse her pictures without a 3 hour round trip travel time to the studio...again and this ridiculous fee. SCAM COMPANY!!!

Why schools keep hiring this terrible place instead of local real photographers. They charge you a fortune for one single image and they pay an average of $17 to $27/hr. for photographer roles. So they get nice people but not real photographers and their prices are ridiculous, they are now even charging you extra to give you a PLAIN BLUE background!!!! Schools please hire local photographers, help the community, get good pictures and it wouldn't be more expensive!!!

Very disappointed in CADY overall; the photographer who took my daughter's senior photos didn't even check to make sure her necklace or accessories were correctly facing, which is noticeable in all of the photos. They send a portfolio of all the images without request, which you either have to return or purchase for an additional $99 as an add-on to any package (or they charge you $200). They don't even provide an option to just purchase the portfolio, which would be my preference because who needs multiple prints nowadays? What a waste.
They give you very limited package options, which are VERY expensive for what you get, and no way to obtain digitals copies of the photos unless you purchase all in an expensive package.
When I was going through my package purchase, the website was constantly down, and I couldn't select poses for the prints.
Overall, would NOT recommend them and don't understand why schools partner with them for photos that are insanely expensive and not even that great.

Per AI-

Why Consider Alternatives to CADY for School Portraits?
Based on widespread feedback, CADY's school portrait services—often mandated by school contracts in the Southeast U.S.—face criticism for high-pressure upselling, overpriced packages ($100–$600+), inconsistent photo quality, and poor customer service (e.g., delayed orders or unedited images). While they excel in speed (e.g., 3,000 students in 90 minutes) and structured senior sessions, many parents seek options for better value, customization, or control. Note: School contracts may require CADY for yearbook inclusion, but you can often submit external photos for personal use or opt out.

I ordered a photo package online and then decided to purchase a different package. I called to get a refund only MINUTES after ordering. I was told they could not refund it as the order had already been processed. The photos had obviously not been printed yet, are you kidding me? I would not go through them again.

Really feeling tricked. Paid initially 300 dollars for photo sessions including senior graduation photos. Just learn later on that that price didn't allow me to have any pictures. And the email saying I had 2 free digital copies and a 200 off on additional packages was a lie. They refused to honor any of that and I was forced to pay more than 2 thousand dollars for a USB drive of my daughter's pictures. Really bad experience and I don't recommend it to anyone.

My experience was terrible. After I put on my cap, my hair got messed up and the photographer never told me. When he asked if I wanted to review the photos, that’s when I noticed the issue. I tried fixing it myself and continued taking pictures, but when I checked again, the same section of my hair was still out of place and he didn’t mention or assist me at all. I asked to retake the photos, and he allowed me to retake one, even though my hair was still visibly messed up in all of them. I was told I could only retake one photo. It wasn’t busy during my session, so I don’t understand why I couldn’t be helped or at least informed that my hair was not right. These are my senior portraits and yearbook photos, which is a huge milestone, and I’m really disappointed by the lack of attention and care. To make things worse, the messed-up hair was not edited or retouched in the final photos. Also when I contacted CADY about this inconvenience they told me I have to pay $50 to get it fixed, I bought the standard package btw.

Terrible placement of the CADY logo in the bottom right corner of the pictures which in the layout we got for my 9th grade daughter's school photos, make it look like a tattoo on her arm. We have never had this issue with previous school photos before. I spent almost $100 and will not end up using any of the printed photos. They also are deceptive in that none of their website photos shown on their site have this logo, even in the picture frames they show on their site. Horrible customer service.