I'm surprised they invite people to rate them here! As others say, photo packages with unhelpful sizes and quantities designed to extract the maximum cash and upsell you to packs with things you... See more
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Review summary
Created with AI, based on recent reviews
What people talk about most
Reviews shaping this summary
Baffled that school continues to use this company. Poor experience year on year. Very difficult to choose from individual photo options as the photos are so blurred and you cannot select them to show... See more
Company replied
I feel very coerced. The photos cannot be selected by size etc, only ordered as packages which means not getting the prints I want for different family members. There is some reference to digital down... See more
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Packages designed to trap you into spending too much on more photos than you need. Delivery also overpriced unless you again spend more. They also invest in Isreal through their use of Barclays Bank s... See more
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Company details
Information provided by various external sources
Founded by Horace Tempest over 80 years ago, Tempest Photography has been at the forefront of the photographic industry for nearly a century. As the first school photography company in the UK to move to full digital processing, with a digital laboratory that is the most state-of-the-art in Europe, you can be sure of first-class images, every time.
Contact info
H TEMPEST LIMITED, TR26 3HU, ST IVES, CORNWALL , United Kingdom
- 01736 751555
- tempest-orders.co.uk
1.9
Poor
2K reviews
Replied to 99% of negative reviews
Typically replies within 24 hours
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It's like being at the airport.......
As many other people have commented this is essentially a captive market situation. They know you have no alternative on the day for a professional service so can charge extortionate prices like being at the airport. It leaves a bitter taste in the mouth that for 3 different images of a decent size you have to shell out £91.50 and that's just in mounts, not a frame. The Universities need to wise up and start offering some alternatives to encourage more competitive pricing
10 September 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Tempest Photography
Hello Trevor, thank you for your email.
We are sorry to hear that you feel the need to complain about the prices of the packages that are offered; as one of the largest nationwide photographic companies working at university graduations, we make every effort to ensure our tariffs are priced competitively and affordably, while reflecting the quality of the materials used to process the photographs, which is of a higher standard to products processed through High Street or online photographic services.
H Tempest Ltd. works closely with the universities we are contracted with, to compile packs that they feel are designed to fit the requirements of graduates and their families across the spectrum, from individual graduates who wish to purchase a single photograph, to larger families who desire packs with multiple prints.
However, I have passed your comments onto our Graduation team who will assess your feedback further.
Kind regards, Olly.
Outrageous social parasites
Well… Another year passes, the kids are growing up and this momentous occasion is suitably marked by having our pants well and truly pulled down by the bandits at Tempest Photography.
Having read the responses from Tempest employees to other reviews, clearly they are essentially aware of their parasitic stranglehold on this sector.
Shame on you and your insane prices.
8 September 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Tempest Photography
Hello Philip, thank you for your review.
I am sorry to learn that you are extremely disappointed with our prices.
We do offer an extensive range of various products to suit all pockets, including multi-image packs and electronic downloads, however, I shall certainly pass your comments onto our Sales/Marketing team who will assess your comments further.
Kind regards, Olly.
Rachel Walker ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rachel Walker ⭐️⭐️⭐️. Amazing after speaking to someone who just kept saying clear search history - no name but she was useless. Thanks Rachel - on your va own you would be 5star!
5 September 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Tempest Photography
Hello Claire, thank you for your review.
I am delighted to read that my colleague Rachel managed to rectify your query in the end, and i have passed your feedback onto her personally.
If you are able to, please could you email us directly at customerservice@htempest.co.uk so we can rectify the issue on our end with who you spoke to and in which department.
Kind regards, Olly.
The prices for graduation photography…
The prices for graduation photography are nothing short of extortionate. We paid over £94 for just three digital photographs, and later were charged an additional £36 for a single ones. This feels like complete greed rather than fair business.
What struck me most was the atmosphere. While queuing with family and friends, everyone was smiling and laughing, celebrating an important day. Yet the moment students and parents discovered the pricing, expressions turned to anger and disappointment. It cast a shadow over what should have been a joyful experience.
I fully understand that a business needs to make money, but these charges feel entirely unjustifiable. For many graduates and families, this is a once-in-a-lifetime event, and it’s disheartening to see it used as an opportunity for such excessive profit.
2 September 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Tempest Photography
Hello, thank you for your review.
We are sorry to hear that you feel the need to complain about the prices of the packages that are offered; as one of the largest nationwide photographic companies working at university graduations, we make every effort to ensure our tariffs are priced competitively and affordably, while reflecting the quality of the materials used to process the photographs, which is of a higher standard to products processed through High Street or online photographic services.
H Tempest Ltd. works closely with the universities we are contracted with, to compile packs that they feel are designed to fit the requirements of graduates and their families across the spectrum, from individual graduates who wish to purchase a single photograph, to larger families who desire packs with multiple prints.
However, I shall certainly pass your feedback onto our Graduation department who will assess your comments further.
Kind regards, Olly.
Great service
Great service from Shannon and the Technical team who helped with my Sons Graduation photo order. Very impressed by their prompt response, helpfulness and care. Photos received and very happy. Thank you!
25 August 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Tempest Photography
Hello, thank you for your five-star review!
Tempest Photography will always aim to fix any issues for our customers, whether the matter is big or small, so I am delighted to read that my colleague Shannon and our Technical team were able to amend the photograph to how you envisioned the original image.
Should you have any more issues, please do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service team on 01736 751555 (opt. 5, Mon-Fri 8:15am-4:15pm).
Kind regards, Olly
Absolutely fantastic service
Absolutely fantastic service! Easy to use site and easy to order. With lot's more options to choose from.
23 August 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Tempest Photography
Hello Rachael, thank you for your five-star review!
Tempest Photography have recently updated our ecommerce system and I am delighted to learn that you found our website easy to use and order from.
We regularly review our products on our website so I am also very pleased to learn that you have found a product to your liking.
Kind regards, Olly.
Disgusting.
I am utterly disappointed by my experience with this company. Sadly, I had no choice but to use them for my graduation photos, and from start to finish, it has been nothing short of a disgrace. The pricing is extortionate, the options are shockingly restrictive, and the entire process feels deliberately designed to squeeze every last penny from customers.
On the day, we were told we could have a maximum of three photos taken, fine, I accepted that. But when ordering, I discovered I could only get two of those images in the so-called "graduate and family pack." The third image? I couldn’t just add it on, I was forced to buy a completely separate, overpriced pack just for that one photo.
Before ordering, I even phoned to explain exactly what I wanted: a large, a medium, and four smalls of each of the three images.
When my order finally arrived weeks later, I was shocked to find that the “graduate and family pack” didn’t even include small photos for both images-just one. When I had phoned as previously mentioned, at no point did they correct me or mention that what I was asking for was literally impossible under their system. There is no option to purchase additional small photos for multiple images, you can only get a “small pack of four” for 1 image in the graduate and family package . No flexibility.
For the third image, there was no way to get it without paying another £50, and if I wanted digital copies, that’s yet another £20 per image, but only for the ones in the family and graduate pack.
To top it off, the four small images i did receive, they didn't even place in the mounts. I have to cut the images out myself. I would rather not have the photos and get a full refund for the price i paid.
Looking at the reviews, seems they're not bothered as long as they get the money in their back pocket. Such a disappointment after such an achievement.
15 August 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Tempest Photography
Hello Jess, thank you for your review.
Tempest Photography appreciates that all graduation ceremonies are a momentous occasion and the photographs should represent the celebration that you felt throughout the day. Therefore I am very sorry to learn that your experience does not reflect this.
So we can raise this further, please can you email your full experience on the day along with image reference numbers to customerservice@htempest.co.uk and we can certainly see if anything can be done to amend this disappointment.
Kind regards, Olly.
Poor proportions.
Lovely quality photo but the proportion isn't great. There is a large section of scabby gym roofing visible which is almost as much as the width of people lined up in the photo. This could have been cropped and more of the photo given over to the people.
11 July 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Tempest Photography
Hello Helen, thank you for your review.
I am sorry to learn that you are disappointed with the overall look of the photograph. Please could you contact our Customer Service team on 01736 751555 (opt. 5, Mon-Fri 8:15am-4:15pm) or email us at customerservice@htempest.co.uk so we can investigate the issue further to see if there is anything that we can do to help?
Kind regards, Olly.
Poor quality JPEG images
Poor quality JPEG images of our daughters graduation. Lots of digital noise, certainly didn't appear to be from professional quality cameras based on image size and quaility.
3 June 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Tempest Photography
Hello Emma, thank you for your review.
Tempest Photography aim to provide the highest of quality for our customers, therefore I am sorry to learn that you have received poor quality Jpeg photographs.
Please could you contact our Customer Service team on 01736 751555 (opt. 5, Mon-Fri 8:15am-4:15pm) or via email customerservice@htempest-co.uk where we can look into your order further for you.
Kind regards, Olly.
Reply from Tempest Photography
Hello Keti, thank you for your five-star review!
I am delighted to read that our graduation staff made you feel welcomed and were able to attend to your needs. I hope they made your day as special as it should be.
Kind regards, Olly.
Arjun was absolutely fantastic and made…
Arjun was absolutely fantastic and made our day with his kindness.
28 July 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Tempest Photography
Hello Jody, thank you for your five-star review!
I am delighted to read that one of our photographers, Arjun, made your day with his kindness, and I shall pass your feedback onto him personally for you. I hope your graduation ceremony was a positively memorable day.
Kind regards, Olly.
Great service when you don't really have a choice
Like most, I had no choice in using Tempest's services. My kids' school made that decision for me. I have to say their service was excellent. I had some queries before ordering and after receiving my photos and they replied (thanks Rachel Walker) speedily and were very helpful.
Like others have said those the prices are are-watering. I dread to think how much money is generated from a day of photography at a school when thousands of parents want to be able to have a keepsake of their little one's early days in life.
The service was excellent, but I'd expect nothing less given what it costs for a single print out of a single photo.
21 July 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Tempest Photography
Hello Anthony, thank you for your four-star review!
Whilst I understand that the decision to use our company was out of your hands and everything is discussed with the school beforehand but I am delighted to read that you were happy with their decision.
I am also very happy to read that my colleague Rachel has provided a speedy and helpful service, and I have passed that feedback onto her personally.
Should we be fortunate enough to take photographs of your child again, I hope we continue to provide the same level of service that you have received recently.
Kind regards, Olly.
Use other photographers!!
Absolutely disgusting company. I don’t know how so many schools and institutions still use them when there are so many better alternatives. I had photos taken for my university graduation and to download just ONE image was £37. Nothing could justify such an expensive price for a digital download of an image. My special event was completely ruined by this company and i’ll never forgive them. I emailed tempest for a reason to justify such extortionate prices and of course, didn’t get a response. I would rather have no pictures of my graduation to remember than be ripped off by crappy company like this.
11 July 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Tempest Photography
Hello Elliot, thank you for your review.
I am sorry to learn that you are deeply unhappy with the prices of our graduation photographs. We have looked into this further and whilst you have been in contact with an advisor of our Direct Order team, they have not received an email back with regards to this complaint.
Please could you forward the reply to our Customer Service email customerservice@htempest.co.uk where we can forward your email onto the correct department who will look into the complaint further for you.
Kind regards, Olly.
Terrible.
Terrible.
I bought a frame which I was told was for the photograph but was actually for the certificate. (Its landscape) The photographer was unpleasant. The packages available are generally geared for one image only.
I have just phoned to enquire how to buy 3 images (after waiting 11 minutes to speak to someone)
The cheapest way is digital and will cost £91.00
I feel completely ripped off. I have never complained before but today I feel people should be warned about how expensive this company is.
18 July 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Tempest Photography
Hello Wendy, thank you for your review.
I am sorry to learn that you purchased a certificate frame on the day. I have been informed that you have spoken with our Customer Service team where one of our representatives has sent you a free post link to return the frame for a refund.
I am also sorry for you have felt the need to complain about our prices and packages. Our graduation prices and packages are discussed with the university with accordance to their contract with us which is something we cannot divulge into.
However, please be rest assured that your feedback has been passed onto our Graduation department who will assess your comments further.
Kind regards, Olly.
Thank you Dawn!
took my graduation pictures today and was photographed by the lovely Dawn. She was absolutely amazing, so professional and friendly! I was nervous about the pictures, but she made the process seamless and stress-free. Coordinated all the shots perfectly and was so patient and encouraging. Couldn’t recommend her enough, Dawn you are a real credit to Tempest Photography!
17 July 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Tempest Photography
Hello Remi, thank you for your five-star review!
Tempest Photography appreciates that the graduation ceremonies can be daunting and nerve-wracking, so I am very happy to read that our photographer Dawn was able to calm your nerves and provide a seamless process to capture these special memories for you.
Kind regards, Olly.
Dan event imaging-Uni of Manchester graduation
Dan at the event imaging at the Uni of Manchester graduation was awesome!!! Professional, Witty, and just great overall.
16 July 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Tempest Photography
Hello Michael, thank you for your five-star review!
Tempest Photography always aim to provide a memorable experience for your graduation, therefore I am delighted to read that Dan provided a professional service for you and was great overall. I hope you look fondly on your event images for the many years to come.
Kind regards, Olly.
Positive Experience
I recently had my graduation photos taken with Tempest Photography and had a really positive experience. I usually don’t enjoy having my photo taken, but the photographer, Hannah, made the experience less daunting. She was incredibly friendly, patient, and made me feel at ease throughout the whole process. Hannah guided me step by step to help get the perfect shots, and the final photos turned out better than I could have hoped for. I'm so glad she was the one behind the camera, she really made the experience enjoyable and memorable.
10 July 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Tempest Photography
Hello Kai, thank you for your five-star review!
Tempest Photography always aim to capture the special moments throughout our lives, therefore I am delighted to read that our photographer Hannah was able to ease you into the process and made the whole experience enjoyable and memorable for you.
Kind regards, Olly.
Not what I expected!
I ordered the group photo specifically in the keepsake folder, as I didn’t want it rolled up in a tube. However, what I received was a tube containing the photo — with no folder — which completely defeats the purpose of my order.
When I contacted Tempest Photography, I was told that because the photo was over a certain size, it is automatically sent rolled up in a tube without the keepsake folder. This was never made clear on the product page, which is quite misleading. It does not state that the keepsake folder is only available for photos up to a certain size.
As a result, I’ve paid more for a format I didn’t want — a rolled-up photo that, over time, will inevitably crack and become damaged. I certainly won’t be ordering from Tempest again.
To make matters worse, they don’t offer a phone number for direct support — all communication has to go through email, which is slow and frustrating.
14 July 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Tempest Photography
Dear David,
Thank you for taking the time to leave your feedback, we're sorry to hear that your order didn’t meet your expectations.
We understand your disappointment and appreciate the opportunity to clarify. For our larger-sized group photographs we use a tube box presentation for protection and durability, rather than a folder as these larger prints are not suited to our standard keepsake folders. We do try to make this clear on our ecommerce site however we will pass your comments on to our marketing team to review how this is presented.
Please be rest assured that we use high-quality photographic paper designed to withstand being rolled. When stored or displayed correctly, there should be no cracking or damage over time.
We’re also sorry to hear you found email communication frustrating. While email allows us to keep a clear record of customer queries, we are always working on improving both our response times and the overall support experience.
If there's anything we can do to put this right, please don't hesitate to contact our Customer Service team again on 01736 751555 (opt. 5, Mon-Fri 8:15am-4:15pm). We’d be happy to help.
Kind regards, Olly
Sally Gamwell did an amazing job…
Sally Gamwell did an amazing job and was very welcoming when we arrived to take professional university graduate photos.
Thank you so much Sally! 🙂🙏🏽
7 July 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Tempest Photography
Hello Aamar, thank you for your five-star review!
I am delighted to read that one of our photographers provided amazing custom for you on the day of your ceremony.
I have forwarded your comments onto the photographer and I hope that the photographs taken reflect the service that Sally has provided.
Kind regards, Olly.
Zero stars … Tempest have a monopoly on…
Zero stars … Tempest have a monopoly on school photographs and offer ridiculous combinations of photographs and frames for inflated prices (as they have a captive market) … why can’t there be an option to either simply purchase the digital photograph for a reasonable price (between £5 and £10) or purchase 1 or 2 normal size photographs in a cardboard frame (again, priced between £5 and £10)??? School should stop using Tempest and switch to local photographers who could offer a service that parents actually want and can afford.
4 July 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Tempest Photography
Hello James, thank you for your review.
We understand that school photography is a personal and important purchase, and we’re sorry to hear that you were disappointed with the experience.
Our pricing reflects more than just the print or digital file, it covers professional photographers, high-quality equipment, post-production work, and a secure online ordering system. For larger group photos, the cost also incorporates specialist staging, organisation, and setup to ensure every child is captured clearly and safely.
Tempest Photography provides schools and PTAs with an excellent fundraising opportunity through a sliding commission on every photo sold. This commission helps support school programs and resources. It could be worthwhile to reach out to your school to see if parents are taking advantage of our more affordable photo options.
We do appreciate your comments and will share this with our management team.
Kind regards, Olly.
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