Pros
If you are a full time manager, you might be able to make almost a living wage if you negotiate for it. Working with kids is wonderful, and learning how to be assertive and confident when photographing was helpful to my personal growth as a person and photographer
Cons
The fastest turnover of employees, as soon as you build a good team, you run out of hours for them due to a RIDICULOUS labor model. They also quite because the the starting rate for team members is MINIMUM WAGE. The amount of learning and skilled labor that is required of every team member is DISPROPORTIONATE to the wages paid. Outrageous expectations of employees and manager alike, ie; answering the phone every single time it rings, no matter what, even if you were mid shoot with a 2 year old or a newborn and you were using all of your resources to get that child to be calm or smile, if that phone rings and you miss it, you will hear about it the next day because they track your answer %. Expecting employees on single coverage (alone all day) to do an appointment every 45 minute from start to end of sale, regardless of circumstances, while also answering the phone, scheduling other appointments, helping guests in the lobby, and doing pickups. I could go on an on about how the labor model stopped working 15 years ago, and the sales expectations basically mean you rip people off, and the cameras are obsolete (even the "new" ones they just sent out) are terrible quality, but you get the picture. This job USED to be fun during the holiday, but it's a horrible joke now. They are literally putting their employee's and guest lives at risk now, with their reopening policies during a pandemic. I am so thankful I don't rely on this job anymore, an I am terrified for my friends and acquaintances that do.