We use a local place; they're really good and work with us very well. AFAIK, we haven't had any problems with contracts or anything.

We used to use a local place, but that place ALWAYS messed up something up every year and would take forever getting the composites to us. Since we don't have a house, we don't get the big composites. So, last year, my lil sis did the composites using her digital camera.

sorority composite
 

I feel like a composite company expert. ok where to start...over the past three years I was historian, treasurer, and now President of my sorority. we used several different companies and because of my positions I had a lot of involvement with these companies. First Fraternal composite Service. They were absolutely terrible, the photographer was late to our shoot and so creepy. Then last year we used Valtine. They were better but a little pricey for us and it took awhile to get the composite. Their customer service was good though dealing with some problems we had, but we shopped around again after using them.

This year we started using GreekYearbook (www.greekyearbook.com). We photographed in October and got our composite in mid November which was amazing. you design your composite on their websitee which was cool, but it took a little getting used too. they were really friendly people that work there and the price was really good too. It didnt hurt either that our photographer looked like Justin Timberlake ;) you can see his picture on their website its crazy how much he looks like JT..omg! (http://www.greekyearbook.com/new/about.asp). he shot our composite and we just hired them to come out for our bid day too this spring. i think all composite clients get a free bid day photographer. so, all in all I would highly recommend them!:)

I would do a google search to find some companies. talk to them about all the costs up front. that way you can avoid issues down the line.

I know my chapter used Greek Yearbook, as did most of the chapters at my campus. We had our pictures taken the end of October, and have yet to receive them, but I am assuming this is because of the Holiday season.

Wow - what good advice! I wonder why no one else thought of this.

We owe you a debt of gratitude, daniellory.

I know!!! We must be fools to not think of such. I guess people do not lie about thier services on the internet or in person. Who knew?:rolleyes::p

Our chapter switched to Vantine from Fraternal Composite, and it was the same old crappy service. We just switched this year to Collegiate Composites. So far, so good. They kept their deadline agreements, and we even saved some money.

Fraternal Composite
 

I would run about as far in the opposite direction from Fraternal Composite Service as possible. We have used them for the last 4 years now, and have not had a problem-free year. The photographers constantly cancel their appointments and reschedule new time slots without checking our availability, the photographers themselves are complete perverts whom I would not leave alone in a room with any of my sisters, every year they try to charge us twice for the composite, which delays the shipment of the composite while we try to explain to them that we've already paid and have the check stubs to prove it, and last year's composite (taken in Fall 2006, delivered in FALL 2007, after they came to take the NEXT composite) was printed in what can only be described as gray scale... it looks like they took the pictures in the dark, you can barely see some of the girls' faces, and I know it wasn't the photos themselves because all of our proofs came out normally. Two years ago, they also delivered the composite to the incorrect apartment number, which meant that our dorm returned the package after it sat in the package room for a month and was never picked up because our Historian was never notified...the apt number of our house was wrong on the address label, and her name was misspelled. Every single time we have worked with them, we've had at least one MAJOR problem, and their customer service department must screen for being a completely miserable human being as a prerequisite to be hired, because I've never spoken to a group so disagreeable in my life and my work study job is setting up A/V equipment for cranky professors during early morning lectures! Don't use them! Our contract expires after this year and we are DEFINITELY not renewing!

Hi, the chapter I advise has tried just about every company mentioned in this thread. The most professional-looking composites have always come from Vantine. I would definitely recommend them over the others.

Vantine is on my campus this week photographing, so I'll ask my students if they have any comments. From what I know, all of the chapters have been pleased with Vantine (but our biggest chapter is 50 members, so we probably fall into the "smaller chapters" category that someone mentioned upthread).

I do know that last year I called Vantine to try to work out a deal for one of my chapters that had about 14 members, and they were really nice on the phone, added them to the photographer's schedule nearly last minute, and worked with us on the pricing.

The newest chapter on campus called them this year and said they were rather rude to her on the phone and not so helpful, which I was surprised to hear. Maybe they've had some turnover in office staff in the past year.

If I hear anything surprising I'll come back and post.

PsychTau

Have anyone of you ever asked around to some local companies? Like the ones who do your Bid Day photography...I know those are usually people who we all seem to have good relationships with and a lot of times are the most honest with us for price....just a thought.

You should look into University Photography. We really like them, everything is included in one price and the service is great. I think their website is www.universityphoto.com, but I'm sure you could google it if thats not it. :)

ehhhhhh.....If you're thinking about using this company - PM me, I'll tell you my story. If you've got a chapter that hovers around 50 people, and cant guarantee that at least 50 people are going to show up to the photoshoot, then you'd might as well look elsewhere, bc otherwise, this company's too expensive.... (read: flat fees)