Skylite Studios - It Ain’t No Scam
A week or so after entering a competition, I got a phone call from a woman saying I’d won a makeover and photo shoot at Skylite Studios. I promptly booked a time and handed over my credit card details to pay a deposit for me and a friend. Then I looked the studio up on the internet and found a lot of people saying this was a scam.
I was - I will admit - dismayed. I had just handed my credit card number over to this company. If travelling abroad has taught me one thing, it’s that I’m an extremely gullible person. I’ll fall for any scam going. Perhaps I just have the sort of face that says: ‘Swindle me! Please!’ There was this one particularly memorable occasion in Beijing airport where- Oh well, never mind, that’s another blog post altogether. The point is that giving my credit card to some sort of con artist sounded like exactly the sort of thing I’d do. I had visions of turning up to the studio address in London only to find a ramshackle, rundown shack - possibly with a note reading “Gotcha!” taped to the door.
But after doing a bit of research, it seemed that the people calling it a scam were mostly complaining because they were expecting too much. The refreshments served at the studio, for example, consist mostly of drinks. There is no caviar. People also seemed upset about the fact that they had to pay for photos at the end. And, yes, this is true. If you want photos at the end of the shoot, you do have to pay for them. I suppose you could therefore say that “winning” the photo shoot is not so much a prize as a clever marketing ploy. But calling it a “scam” is extremely unfair. You are never told that you get the photos for free, so it’s unreasonable to expect that you will. It’s the makeover and photo shoot that you don’t pay for. Some of the reviews I read of Skylite Studios were very negative. That, taken together with all the scam hysteria, almost made me not go at all. But I’m very glad now that I did go because I had a really fun day, and so did my friend. We both came away the very epitome of a satisfied customer. So if anyone’s reading this because they’ve Googled Skylite Studios in a blind panic like I did, feel free to email me if you have a particular question about the day or the studio. I’ll be more than happy to give a glowing report of my experience. And I’m not even earning commission or anything.
All the staff there were extremely friendly, and the studio itself was - for want of a better word - swish. We were given a form to fill out, basically saying what sort of photos we were after. One of the options was “tasteful nude”. I resisted the temptation to inquire whether there was a “seedy nude” option.
After getting our hair and makeup done, we got about an hour with the photographer. The only quibble I have with the day is that we were told we could bring 3-6 outfit changes, but we only had time for three. We still got plenty of great photos though, despite any giggling that may have occurred. I fear our shoot may have been a bit like pulling teeth for the hapless photographer who tried in vain to get us to pose like models - sexy pouts and sulky eyes and all that jazz.
‘Look, I’m the quiet, bookish type,’ I announced (like George Peppard in Breakfast at Tiffany’s). ‘I ain’t a hand-through-the-hair, stick-out-ya-hip kinda gal.’
To which he replied that I was, only in the disguise of a writer. Although generally uncomfortable with having a camera stuck in my face, I relaxed more when the photographer started to mock me in this way. I guess I’m just perverse like that. When I first said I was a writer, he even suggested this might be a euphemism for sitting at home all day unemployed. This made me laugh because whenever I tell people what I do for a living, I can tell that’s what they’re all thinking even if they don’t usually say it. Not to my face, at least. I had a copy of Jasmyn with me that day though (I’d brought it for my friend - it’s not my custom to carry my own books around everywhere with me). So, afterwards, when we were sat waiting to see our pictures, and the photographer walked through the waiting area, I leapt to my feet and thrust Jasmyn upon him, all the while quivering with righteous indignation and wounded pride and all that.
‘This is my book, sir! I demand that you rescind all that unemployed layabout stuff! That’s three months of tireless, dedicated work that is!’ etc etc.
Anyway - my friend and I both came away with a nice little selection of photos each. The day was a huge laugh, we had loads of fun, and I would recommend Skylite Studios to anyone.
I came home and duly replaced my author photo on this site. The old one was taken by my Mum two years ago (before I sorted out my hair) whilst I sat on a bench at the bottom of the garden. That set up, I feel, just doesn’t convey the glamour somehow. Plus I had, only the day before, returned from a week of illness in Egypt, so my heart just wasn’t in the whole posing for photos thing at the time. Now, though, I have a brand-spanking-new author photo. Hey, if the moody author look is good enough for Joe Abercrombie, then by heck, it’s good enough for me.
But the “tasteful nude” photos, I regret to say, aren’t here. That would be entirely inappropriate. They’re on Facebook.
Tags: Vanity
June 11th, 2009 at 9:21 am
I had a fantastic time Alex! Such a laugh. Great blog
June 11th, 2009 at 11:37 am
But the “tasteful nude” photos, I regret to say, aren’t here. That would be entirely inappropriate. They’re on Facebook.
You lie Miss Bell
But I do have to say, you both look absolutely stunning. The difference a good photographer and lighting can make is amazing.
And you should have asked about seedy nudes, if only to see their reactions!
- Neil.
June 11th, 2009 at 2:02 pm
Neil - yes, I’m a dreadful fibber. Goes with the job.
June 11th, 2009 at 10:18 pm
Surely the job requires one to be a very good fibber?
June 12th, 2009 at 2:32 pm
I like to think so.
June 14th, 2009 at 3:11 pm
I’m really looking forward to Jasmyn, I love the cover and I love fairytales so I have very high hopes for it (:
Oh, and it’s great you had such a good time, but I think I liked the previous author-photo more. But that’s just me, you look great in the new one too.
July 6th, 2009 at 3:04 pm
Thank you for publishing this. I went to Skylite studio’s on saturday and I had an amazing day! People do expect too much these days! At first i thought oh my god the pictures are expensive but some people will only be able to have the chance to have a day like that once and may as well have fun. When i got home i showed my family the pictures and they all loved them. They did an amazing job and i would recomend everyone going there. Plus my boyfriend came with me and he isn’t vain or doesn’t style his hair at all and he loved the whole day. I am deffinatly going back to them if i ever need professional photo’s done or just to have a fun day with mates.
November 9th, 2009 at 3:32 pm
I had a fantastic day when i went with 3 of my friends, we had a good laugh while having the photos done and since then i won another makeover and photoshoot with a different company that were no where near as good as skylite!
November 26th, 2009 at 3:41 pm
I have just won a makeover day at skylite and I panicked at first too! I can kinda see why they want you to pay a deposit because if you don’t turn up it’s just wasting their time really…
Any idea how much those photos were to buy? I want to take my friend for her birthday and I’d like to buy her at least one photo she likes.
Thanks!
November 29th, 2009 at 5:34 pm
Kaz, this is really bad but I have completely forgotten how much the photos were! They quote you a really high price at first - you have to barter a bit to get them down on it. And the more photos you have the cheaper they are per photo. I think it worked out at £30.00 each but I’m really not completely sure. Hope you have a great time!
December 20th, 2009 at 3:21 pm
Hi, me and my husband we was together in skylite studios on friday 18 th december 2009 and we are so so happy!!!! we had a very nice time a lot of fun, true photos are expensive but they’re great professional so i think everybody will be happy!!
December 20th, 2009 at 3:22 pm
oh and photos cost us 60 £ each but on cd so you can do a lot copy and print it wherever you want…
December 20th, 2009 at 4:18 pm
£60 per photo? Yikes, sounds like it’s gone up a bit since I went. But then we did haggle pretty hard with the guy. And I think it works out cheaper per photo the more photos you buy. Glad to hear you had a good time.
December 30th, 2009 at 12:39 am
I am very glad that I went along because my photos were fantastic and I enjoyed being prodded and poked through my photoshoot even though I usually run screaming from hairdressers. It was very comfortable, I stole a bowl of penguin bars and got a glass of orange juice and got to wear my two outfits and mess around with props. The end of the day I got 27 pictures for £240 which is a good deal and hey, you only do it once
. All my friends are incredibly jealous and everyone has decided I should be a model
so it was a very good day for me. You do have to wait w while though so bring something to do. The makeup artists were amazing because this fat and ugly girl came in after me and they made her pretty so it’s worthwhile, don’t panic people and don’t diss it!
December 30th, 2009 at 1:47 am
They can make anyone beautiful with the right make up and lighting! That’s why glamour is such an illusion!Glad to hear you enjoyed the day!
February 7th, 2010 at 1:18 pm
My partner and her friend went to the makeover - would regard it as a scam - though not necessarily breaching trading regulations - the girls enjoyed the makeover though I have seen better makeover work. The photographs also were good but overpriced and not of a sufficiently professional standard. We didn’t purchase any as I had the gear to take my own.I am still waiting on the refund of my deposit however…
February 9th, 2010 at 5:34 pm
Sorry to hear they didn’t enjoy. I can only speak of my own experience, which was very good.
March 4th, 2010 at 7:24 pm
I only spoke to the woman today on the phone and all sounded very good , i gave them my £50 deposit and my bank details and got a email saying for my portfolio would cost around £300 minimum . I spoke with family and friend about it today and they all said dont do it and if your not guarentted modelling work out of it its not worth it . i emailed the woman back today and asked for my £50 deposit back so just waiting for a reply now .. If some things sound to good to be true they probaly are .
March 13th, 2010 at 1:54 pm
Hi Alex,
I must admit I am in agreement with you. I “won” a makeover and photoshoot on August 7th 2009, I took my friend along and we had such a blast, we purchased only a couple of photos on the day but they keep them on file for upto 3 months so I went back and purchased more. My family absolutely loved them and I have used them in my portfolio. I had a brilliant day there, had fun with the makeup artists and the guys who did the hair, even had chance to have a change in my hairstyle half way through to suit different outfits. I have heard that the studio can be pushy with the way they sell the photos however this industry is hard to get on in and make a living in, my thoughts are its a business not a charity. If you do go to Skylite Studios I think you have to make you’re own mind up, have fun and enjoy yourself. I loved it and would definitely go again and again. I must admit I have had further shoots elsewhere since to build up a varied portfolio and have got some modelling and acting jobs from it, so thank you Skylite for giving me my first step up on the modelling ladder.
xx
March 22nd, 2010 at 7:21 pm
Hello!
You have made me feel so much better about having put a deposit down now, especially after also reading all the negative reviews on it! Myself and two friends are going to go and i will use the deposit on the photos, as a lot of reviews i have read say that they are still waiting on their deposit, (so i dont want to risk it :s!)
I understand that even though it is a competition that you have ‘won’, that a deposit should be put down as, having photography as my hobby, i would be annoyed if you didnt turn up. The place could have booked someone else in and earnt you the money.
anyway! Thanks again and i will let you know how it goes!
April 20th, 2010 at 7:27 pm
hi, i completely agree my sister won a comp to get a free makeover to skylite and put a deposit for her, myself and my mum, both myself and my mum first thought it was a scam but my sister said as we had to travel there on the train and as none of us had been to london before to make a weekend of it, so we went for the weekend, went to the address provided by skylite and found this is no scam we all had such a wonderful day everyone there was amazing!!! you do get your deposit back or could use it to purchas photo’s (and no there not free but well worth the price!) and i think some people on here have been watching to much real hussle!!! i would say do it! we had a great experience and will definatly be going back!
p.s - one girl there (nicole now a page 3 model) had paid for her day (not won a comp!) and she paid over £250.00 just for her shoot with out photos soooo well worth it!!!
April 20th, 2010 at 7:39 pm
p.p.s - i went july 2009 and the pictures started at £40 each but like others haggled abit and got him down to £20 each we brought a few but he did offer us a deal! all of the photos on cd that was well over 300 photos each and there was 3 of us so about 900 photos in total for £300!! absolute bargin! but as we were having a long weekend in london unfortunatly couldnt afford it
however they stored the photos for 3 months therefore can purchase at a later date! goodluck and have a brill day as i did!! (“\(^_^)/”) xxxx
May 9th, 2010 at 12:36 pm
Hi Alex i have won a photo shoot but didnt pay my deposit over the phone,. the3 lady Tanya said i could pay at the bank and i had 6 months to register if i wanted to go ahead and do it.. but after movin house i cant find there phone number of there studio.. if u have it i would a ppreciate it if u could give it to me as i want to now book my appointment.
Thanks
Debs
May 13th, 2010 at 12:32 pm
Sorry, Debbie, I don’t have any contact info for Skylite anymore. Hope you manage to find the number!
May 20th, 2010 at 9:17 am
hey ive won a comp n googled it and started to panik, im stil abit unsure weatehr to go or not . i have a number for the studio its 020880010099 hope ths helps you debbie.
May 20th, 2010 at 10:33 am
soz i put the wrong number lol 02088010099
June 14th, 2010 at 2:38 pm
How much was the deposit? I just got a phone call saying I’d won it too!
June 14th, 2010 at 4:48 pm
Rosie - I think it was about £30.00 but I’m not completely sure, and I hear it’s gone up since then.
June 22nd, 2010 at 12:13 pm
hiya, i just got off the phone to a lady called naz from the company, and am quite chuffed really. sadly i havent got the cash to make a deposit at the minute, but am definately considering this, has anyone been recently?? and if so how much was the photos to get them on a cd? x
June 30th, 2010 at 10:11 am
My deposite was £45 per person so £90 for me as im takin my sister Stacey! Was worried it wasa scam a i never have any luck at all, am looking farward to it, supose i better get saving for those photo’s then hey!! She said i will get a pack through the post which say’s thing’s about it all and im not expecting to much from them!! Hope it goes okay!!xx
July 12th, 2010 at 8:14 pm
Hi my mom has just won a free makeover with Skylite for both of us they have asked for the refundable £45 dep each. Has anyone been recently and got an idea of much the photos are? Can it be dwd onto a CD? Also what sort of time do the shoots normally start from? Thanks xx
July 13th, 2010 at 4:26 pm
I jest beack from skylite , they whuont 60 per photo but u can get deal, I got 4 photos for 150 on cd.
August 11th, 2010 at 8:51 am
i went to skylite i payed £45 deposit and had a fab day i took my kids with me and they were realy nice i had the choice to buy my pictures or not i didnt feel pressured and i put my deposit towards the photoes the only problem i did have was when some dumb girl who was waiting to be seen asked do the kids have to be so talkative the staff had fun with them and they enjoyed the day
October 25th, 2010 at 3:58 pm
hey I’ve just been offered the offer, and have taken it on, without research…stupid i know. however i would just like to know some facts, if you can help.
1. is the offer real?
2. do you have to buy the pictures?
3. is it worthwhile?
the only reason im asking is that i want to take my friends as their christmas present and i dont want it to naff.
any help you could give me would be greatly appreciated thanks rach x
November 19th, 2010 at 2:48 am
thank you so much for this post. i got today a phone call from skylite saying i won and i also did ended up giving my credit cards detaisl and when i had the time to google them up, i became so afraid with all the reviews. i saw the date of this post and although its quite old, would you mind telling me an account of your day? if you could send it to my e-mail i would appreciate it so much! i also loveed the history, you are a great writer, was so captivated by your story! thank you once again
December 3rd, 2010 at 10:48 pm
Hi there,
How does the refund of the deposit work? Do you get it on the day that you arrive at the studio?
January 31st, 2011 at 10:19 pm
Hiya,
Was just wondering if you had any problems and if they were difficult in giving you your deposit back? Am starting to worry a little after reading some reviews.
February 22nd, 2011 at 9:49 pm
Hi, im completely freaking out as i’ve paid £90 deposit for me and friend to go to this skylite makeover, after ‘winning’ it a couple of weeks back. Do you get the deposit back on the day? and also do the pressure you into buying the photos? as really i have no intention of paying £60 for a photo as im a student and dont intend on wasting money on that, just wanted to go for a free day out really. But now worrying that im going to get bullied into spending money. x
February 23rd, 2011 at 12:25 am
I wasn’t pressured to buy photos so I wouldn’t worry too much about that. I spent my deposit so I’m not sure how that works but my understanding is that it can take a few days to process it. You’re probably better off phoning Skylite directly and asking them about that. Basically the makeover and photo shoot are free, but you have to pay for the photos.
March 3rd, 2011 at 4:14 pm
Hi, Just wondering are you forced to buy photos at the end even if you really dont want to? and how long before the deposit is returned ? and thank you, you have put my mind at ease a little now, I was thinking oh no what have I done only I could be so stupid lol x
May 2nd, 2011 at 10:45 am
I won a Makeover at Skylite makeover studios and I was not even expecting much from it tbh. We were not served any drinks or refresh,ents as we were told, we were waiting around a lot of the time, I hated the pictures completely as all the inperfections were showing and they did not look preffesional AT ALL! I’m being serious and I’m a art/fashion student studying a module in photography.I only wanted to buy one photo but the sales person was a bit funny about that he quoted me over £1,100 for 28 photographs. Hhe then narrowed it down to 16 still far too expensive. I ended up purchasing photographs I did not even want as they are SOOOO UGLY!!! for over £100…I left feeling awful as it’s just money down the drain
I would never go back again!!! The sales person kind of pushed us into buying more than one arggghhhhhhh…WASTE OF MONEY!
May 5th, 2011 at 2:57 pm
Please rest assured that anyone entering the Skylite Makeover Competitions - EVERYONE IS A WINNER!!! So it is a scam for sure. The reason how I know this my girlfriend worked there last year in the telesales section in Tottenham Hale and ended up leaving after a month because it was a big con. So don’t go thinking that you have won anything. There is no such thing as a free lunch! However having said that, the makeover and photo’s for the majority of people are absolutely stunning indeed and the price certainly reflects that. If you’re planning on going somewhere special in the West End in the evening and want to look the bees knees and don’t mind spending a bit money on the photo’s then that’s the place to go as the staff will allow you to leave with the hair re-styled and make-up on.
Good luck!
July 22nd, 2011 at 1:14 pm
Dear Alex and all other readers.
Please be warned-it never used to be a scam, but it is now! All the amazing staff that used to work there have left due to this and the management is awful. They are not even legally registered to take payments or create direct debits. They keep your credit card details- very insecure. The owner of the company is a scam artist and the sales people are there to sell. my advice is - look up photographers and buy a few nice pics with them. Never go to studios as they are set up to con you and make you pay as much as possible.
I wouldnt be surpised if watch dog look into them soon!
July 23rd, 2011 at 7:04 pm
I have just come back after having a session with them. All in all I had a really nice day. It was very busy. We were served soft drinks and there were chocs and crisps. My makeover was amazing. Unfortunately I did not buy any photo’s but I did get my deposit back. I initially was going to go to have my makeover done at the mac store but i had to pay a deposit of £35 but u would have to use it to buy products from the store, so I decided to go ahead with the makeover which I paid a £45 refundable deposit and I got a professional makeup artist help me decide what products suited me. So thankyou all.
October 3rd, 2011 at 1:14 pm
i just been there today checked if they were real,i arrive of the place and one men i saw in there told me that they just move out few days ago so tell me where the hell they are???they move somewhere bringing what i deposited to them £50.00 without even calling me to let me know whats going on..can u explain then this to me????