Let me start by saying I love Wal-Mart! When growing up in the south that’s all you have, it’s a one stop shop in most small towns. There’s always a friendly greeter, $25 pops and a couple strange works… Generally speaking a use White House Custom Color as my pro lab and print needs but when in a pinch and for family stuff I use Costco pro services. Well today I was really in a last minute bind needed 10 4×6 prints on the fly yesterday! The major, 10 hour travel day coming returning from Cabo yesterday put me way behind today. I squeezed in a re-scheduled meeting this morning at the St. Regis and I need to leave for LA for more appointments and of course basketball tonight. So quick on my feet on my way out the door I have Desiree locate and upload the photos I need near by my appointment. Well she found a Wal-Mart in Crenshaw…

After my lunch I proceeded to pick up my prints with my buddy James… The Wal-Mart was actually located inside a shopping mall and was three stories with escalator and shopping cart movers, crazy but very urban. I go to the photo lab on the second floor and ask to pick up my print that I ordered online. The guy replies, “online?” Then the photo manager comes over to help and locates the my order. It rings up $2.05, awesome! I’ll be on my way, NOT!

It was marked on the envelope, please get a “photos release”… I tried to argue that I was the photographer and I was the professional and how could I have the high resolution files to prints the photos if I were not the photographer. I showed my business card and Visa Check Card. The manger comes and makes me fill out a copyright form with all my info and the photographer’s info, ME AGAIN! Two seconds later my cell rings… “Hi, I have a client of yours here that wants to print some photos from ‘so and so’s’ wedding. Is that okay?” I could see the girl on the phone 10 feet away, so as I turn away quietly answering, “yep, you bet.” I quickly put my iPhone in my pocket. The girl hangs up and comes over to ring me up and had no clue. So if your in a pinch and need some photos stick with Costco!