Thorton Studio

[USNA2011Dad]

Boy they really work off your emotions. These prices are robbery. I realize that you have a choice to become a member. But $30.00 for an 8X10! Thank you drop shots.

 

[EagleMom]

I also am very grateful for the photos the ladies are posting at Dropshots. Those two ladies are giving so unselfishly of their time and have made the first week and a half much more bearable for us parents. Would someone please PM me with their names and addresses (or e-mails) so I can pass along my appreciation?

 

[USNA69]

Boy they really work off your emotions. These prices are robbery. I realize that you have a choice to become a member. But $30.00 for an 8X10!

It does sound excessive. The Academy seems atuned to the wishes of the parents. Why don't you write a letter to the Plebe Summer Administration Dept and express your concerns?

 

[USNA69]

Those two ladies are giving so unselfishly of their time and have made the first week and a half much more bearable for us parents.

While I can certainly agree that they are providinvg a service to plebe parents, I am not sure that what they are doing is either legally or ethically violating the privacy of these individual midshipmen, nor is it in the best interests of the Academy.

 

[Blackhawk]

I believe Thornton's does give back a portion of their profits to the Academy. But, I agree that what they are charging is rather steep.

 

[Whistle Pig]

In another industry that's known as payola. I concur that the ladies are not only more affordable but find their pix more impressive. I don't believe they're violating any USNA policies with their Hassleblads.

 

[momofacgcadet]

I'm not exactly sure from the postings what the pictures are for, but last year the parents of the CGA cadets were sent formal pictures of our cadets in dress uniform in many different poses and with all their "gear." The prices were outrageous from that company who did them. We did not order and I know that many, many parents on our listserve were outraged at this obvious attempt to fleece the proud parents. For us, we could have him bring home his formal attire during the times he is going to attend an all-academy local ball or just anytime he is going to be home on break and go to our local professional photographer for pictures to be done. On R-Day, the photographer who was taking the class photo was also charging an excessive amount for the class photo and we again did not order. I would like to say that the reason we did not order was not because we could not pay for the pictures, but we refuse to support any company who is obviously playing on the emotions of parents and again "fleecing" them by charging excessively. Our cadet also said that he felt that the pictures would be more appropriately taken in his first-class year and not during his 4/c year. I just wanted to add my two-cents worth to this in case you think it only happens with the USNA.

 

[NativeTexan]

USNA has a different photographer than Thorntons for the "formal posed" portraits that will be taken at the Academy (you will get them second semester at least that is when we got the proofs last year) These too will be expensive but at least you can see the portrait and select the sitting you want to order - and there is no registration fee to get your proofs! (and you don't even have to send them back - but are watermarked so scanning is out...) These pictures are taken every year; Plebe year and Firstie year they will be the picture for the USNA yearbook "Luckybag."