SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

Most 8.5x11 printers are not photo printers.

cahale Loc: San Angelo, TX

What assumptions (except that any photographer would want his own printer)? You said nothing about the neighbors paying for anything. Is that to be "assumed?" If so, I would have to "assume" that the photographer should establish preferences first. If you were doing it gratis, then I would "assume" they should have accepted the prints and said "thank you."

Reinforces why I don't take photographs of people - unless they are really good looking.

Jack 13088 Loc: Central NY

I use have exactly the same printing capability. There is a Walgreens I pass 4 times a week day (twice RT turn in and out). For bigger prints I use Printique, most excellent. And when I really go off the rails there is a top notch printing service $$$.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

Nope, both your statements were assumptions. There was no indication anywhere that his neighbors were ungrateful.

Don, the 2nd son Loc: Crowded Florida

Purchase a 4x6 in each finish and let them choose which they would prefer for their 8x10. Easy peasy.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

My Walgreens just recently removed the last vestige of their photo department...

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Nearly all of the low end finishing options are either dead or dying. It's not a viable business option any more. Most folks want images on their screens, not in albums, shoeboxes, or (more than a few) on their walls. Printing is a high end, small volume art now. That is where the remaining demand is.

25 years ago, you could find a mini-lab kiosk in the middle of most any shopping mall. Drugstores and big box stores all had film processing and printing machines, plus central labs for larger prints, posters, and photo trinkets. Comparatively few of those are left.

Several large chains had 150 to 300 mall portrait studios each. Several other large portrait companies had studios in "department stores" and big box stores. Some large portrait companies had thriving church directory businesses. Several large companies had thriving school portrait businesses like the one I worked for. From the late 2000s until now, most of those large portrait companies have sold, merged, or gone out of business entirely.

Photographic paper is not the super-profitable product it once was. Anyone who can afford it, and many who can't, own a smartphone. They network their photos to any place in the world, instantly. Paper can't compete with that.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

Yes, a lot of those stores, Walmart, Walgreens, CVS, all still offer processing but no longer in store. It’s mostly online mail order now.

cahale Loc: San Angelo, TX

So sorry. I missed the obvious assumption that "we don't like them" meant "thanks for your extreme effort." May they cohabit in bliss for eternity and 3 days.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

You’re the one making assumptions. He clearly said they like the photos but don’t want a glossy finish. Which is normal. You rarely see a glossy finish for portraits. The 4x6’s were like proofs and he’s looking to print 8x10’s.

coolhanduke Loc: Redondo Beach, CA

As for the surface, check with customer on the options or use a service that offers matte finish (or order matte).
As for the size, yes, 8x12 will do it but not many places carry 8x12.
A mat of course is a solution.
Or, do image size, am10x? Then do a canvas size 10 x 8 and fill in top and bottom if you can.

TonyF Loc: Bradenton, FL

foathog Loc: Greensboro, NC

foathog Loc: Greensboro, NC

Why don't you ask them??