Olan Mills (acquired by Lifetouch in November, 2011) has been the gold standard for church directories for years. Church members have their formal portrait taken on a specified date and are required to sit with a sales person to view the pictures. Lifetouch is in the business of selling portraits, frames and greeting cards. A set number of printed directories are provided to the church “at no cost.” Even though they now offer an online directory, their product has become outdated. Here’s why:
Formal portrait directories are usually out of date before they’re distributed to the congregation. Lifetouch recommends a new directory every few years (in order to sell more portraits.) An online member directory with CTRN eliminates the need to “do” a directory every few years because your directory is always updated, accessible and ready to print at any time.
Lifetouch uses the same background for all portraits in your directory and members are posed, not natural. Casual dress is the norm at most churches today. Formal portraits simply do not represent your church. With CTRN, members can upload pictures that flatter their family and reflect their interests. The result is a diverse directory that truly reflects your church family.
Lifetouch’s online directory allows users to create ONE group, and it can’t be shared with anyone else. CTRN’s online member directory allows you to create unlimited groups – Trustees, Choir, Stained Glass Committee, even members who are Veterans, students living away at college, etc. Our group e-mail function allows members to communicate with everyone at once, using updated e-mail addresses.
If you request a new picture for your Lifetouch online directory, a message is sent to a photographer to contact the church for another formal portrait session. With CTRN, members do not have to sit for a formal portrait or endure the sales pitch that always follows.
A Lifetouch online directory requires members to go to connections.lifetouch.com and log in. With CTRN’s online member directory, members access the directory through your church website and log on with a secure privacy key. Increased knowledge of your church website is an added benefit.
The bottom line: Lifetouch is in the portrait business. CTRN is in the directory business.