Best studio for baby pictures?

[justlearning]

I hate to admit that DS is 5 months old and I've never taken him to get his picture taken professionally. Before, my excuse was that we were living in a rural area and there wasn't anywhere to get it done. Now, though, we live in a city so I don't have an excuse anymore and need to get some taken right away for family.

My question is where's the best place? I'd like to spend around $15 for a small package of pictures so I'm looking for a bargain, but if paying more would give me a much better quality picture, I'm willing to pay more as well. Any suggestions? I'd really appreciate your input!

[stillplayswithbarbies]

we have been to WalMart, Sears, and Olan Mills (KMart) and we liked WalMart the best. The photographer seemed to know what he was doing, moreso than the other places, and they had better props. The package was cheaper ($3.95!) and the quality of the prints was better. Olan Mills was the worst, out of focus.

...Karen
Jacob Nathaniel Feb 91
Logan Elizabeth Mar 03

[starrynight]

I have had good and bad experiences with Walmart, each one is different but they are inexpensive. I'm not too fond of olan mills and I like sears alot, I almost always go there.

[kaitlinsmommy]

I had dd's pictures taken at Penney's with her cousins because that's where my sister goes. I thought they turned out great and plan to go there again.

[LisaMom2Allie]

I think it is going to vary wildly-I have been to Sears 3 times and think the pictures are awful-bad, nappy looking props, poor color and picture quality. We have been to Olan Mills(individual studio) twice and the pictures were great quality and the props are just okay but better than Sears. My favorite place so far is Kid Shots with the white background the pictures are great, sharp and great props. I am going to do professional studio shots soon since she is getting more predictable. I really wish I would have done professional(with a "real" photographer) shots before now but they are really pricey.
I am not knocking the cheap deals at OM, Sears, WalMart etc. because it is a low cost way to get pictures taken very often but I guess sometimes you get what you pay for.

Lisa
Mom to Allie Nicole
3-10-03

[AngelaS]

I used to be a die hard Sears fan, but my loyalties have changed and now I go to JCPenneys---the pictures are SO much better! :D

[cchavez]

We had good luck at Walmart.

[stillplayswithbarbies]

I think I am coming to the conclusion that it is best to ask around locally to see who people like. I don't think any of the chains are consistent from place to place in the quality and the skills of the photographer. The only standard may be the props.

...Karen
Jacob Nathaniel Feb 91
Logan Elizabeth Mar 03

[LucyG]

I agree that asking locally is a good idea. We have had good luck with our local Olan Mills. I would try Walmart, but our Walmart is a very scary place, and I don't want to even take DD inside the door!

[amp]

Hi Anne, Do a search on portraits. I asked this question at one point a few months ago and I know it was also discussed recently.

We have used Target 2x in the past few months and have been happy with our experience so far. There is no sitting fee and then picture sheets are $5.99 each (one pose per sheet, but you can buy as many sheets as you want, so you can get other poses) if you purchase that day. Later the price goes up. You have to wait about 3 wks for your pics, but they show them to you on the computer so you can pick. You can also see them as she's taking them (on the monitor above). Our photographer does take the time (within reason) to try to get several good shots.

[Jen in Chicago]

Walmart (Nitro WV) was nothing to write home about.

Sears Portrait Studio in Freeport IL and Chicago (State Street) have both does GREAT for us. You can get coupons on-line before going. I always get the package for around $7.00. We get DS's pictures done monthly. Parenting or Parents often has coupons that don't include a sitting fee. Here are their latest on-line coupons http://www.searsportrait.com/Coupons/Coupon_Vertical.asp?country=1&type=1&tag=9EC07760D6DD40EF8941D138D64DDF7820F9F48186624E AFAE9846838D9580B5

Picture People (Old Orchard) again, nothing to write home about and I paid much more than I do at Sears. I walked out with 8 wallets and 2 5x7's and spent around $30- and the wallets were free with a coupon I got from American Baby's website.

Next time SEARS.

I would try JCPenny, but there is not one close to where I live.

I got a coupon for Target (Chicago), so I will try that one month.

I think things differ from city to city, so I included my locations.

[Melanie]

I like Kidde Kandids. Sitting fee is free, but $15 would probably only buy you 1 sheet. They often have coupons on their website (www.kiddekandids.com) though.

[MinnieMouse]

We've done Sears 2x and Picture People about hmmm...8x and dd is 2+yo. I LOVE PP. They are professional, do excellent shots...even when dd is fussy, and are a nice balance pricewise between an all out professional photographer and the substandard stuff I got from two different Sears stores in my area.

PP Pros...

Pictures back in 1hr
Trained Photographers
Excellent Props
Comfortable Atmosphere
Great to Work With
EXCELLENT Quality Photos
Good Coupon Deals and "Club"

Cons...

Pricier than Sears/walmart/target/penneys

For our Sears experiences we had awful barely trained photographers, waited over a month to receive the pictures and the colors were horrible in them. Spend a tiny bit less than PP...once we ordered enough that we wanted but the quaility was about 1/4 of that of PP.

I could KICK myself for not going to PP from the very beginning. I would have loved to have great professional picts of dd as a small infant.

HTH

Christine

[vikivoly]

FWIW, Sears, Penney's, Wal-mart... none of them have professional photographers. Before I started my own photography business I interviewed at a couple of these places and didn't get hired. They didn't ask me one question about my photography skills or training. They asked, "How will you be able to handle running the cash register and trying to get a kid to smile with 3 babies crying in the background?"

[flagger]

Let me preface this by saying, this is not a slam against those who cannot afford any other option.

I would never ever ever get archival pictures done at a chain. The quality of those photos is just horrible in comparison to what you can get done at a true professional. Yes it will be more expensive, but so worth it in the end. You are paying for their expertise, their time, and their experience. I would ask around for references to pro photographers in your area.

Secondly, I tell everyone to avoid the Picture People at all costs. I have read their release parents sign before getting photos done. They say they can use your photos in any of THEIR or any of their affiliates promotional or for sale literature. They are owned by Hallmark which means your DD or DS could appear on a card and you would never know about it nor be compensated for his or her appearance.

[houseof3boys]

Don't feel bad that you haven't done pics yet at 5 months. I just took Ryan for his first pics at Picture People on Thursday for his Halloween picture. We are going to Wolf Camera ( a chain camera store that is also known as Ritz Camera) for pics on Sunday too so I have something else to compare them to. I did like PP as they seemed to take time to get some good snaps. I went into Sears to grab a price sheet (I had coupons already) and the girl that was at the front and she is the photographer was so unprofessional, barely an adult and (sorry in advance) highly uneducated. Yup that is so judgemental of me, but hey I'm being honest. I couldn't even imagine her being a good photographer and am glad I didn't make an appt. over the phone first. It bothers me that JCP takes like 3 weeks to get your shots (what if they stink?), so if you hate them you just waited 3 weeks for yucky pics!

So I will try Wolf Camera since it is a photo lab and they have a $300K machine to develop film so you know the quality has to be good. I liked the photographer when I went in to inquire about their pricing and they do naked pics. Several photo threads ago there was discussion that not all places take naked baby pics. I really wanted them done since he is still little enough that I think they look cute since he can't sit up unassisted yet!

I think the key is a photographer that will work with you and your child to get good shots and the quality of the photos. Getting recommendations is the way to go or you could do trial and error until you find a place that makes you happy with the photographer, the pricing and the quality. I am going to try Kiddie Kandids next so I can compare them too.

I do agree with Flaggers post about not skimping on the pics since this is your beautiful child and the memories we are talking about!

[MinnieMouse]

I have never signed ANY kind of release at Picture People. And we've been there multiple times...like 7 or 8 over the last two years.

The only item I sign at the stores is my credit card receipt.

Christine

[malisa]

I'd love to hear how it goes at Wolf, I have a coupon for their studio and was thinking about going. But, I don't know anyone who has been yet.

Please let me know...
TIA

Malisa
mom to Isabella 11-9-02

[houseof3boys]

I will post about it tomorrow night for you. I have a coupon too and it expires tomorrow...how about yours?

[sarsah]

As far as the inexpesive studios (Wal-Mart, Sears, JCPenny), etc. goes, I think it really depends on the actual studio and not the chain. If you find a good photographer at any store near you, you'll most likely get good pictures.

When DS#1 was little, we lived in metro-Detroit and went to Sears exclusively and were happy with the pictures and the photographer. Then we moved to metro-Atlanta and I tried two different Sears near me and both were awful -- the pictures turned out ok, but the photo experience was just awful both times. Then I tried JC Penny and liked them a lot -- they were my favorite until DS#2 was born (this past May).

I wanted a really special photo of DS#2 as a baby since he's probably going to be our last child , so I asked around to see who people liked/had a good experience with. A good friend of mine had an awful experience with Picture People (photographer not will to work with her shy pre-schooler, wouldn't let them take a break in the middle of the session to nurse her crying infant after making them wait 45 minutes after their appointment time to get photographed, etc.) and someone recommended Master Portrait (www.masterportrit) to her. She showed me the pictures she had done there (she's used them 3 or 4 times since then) and they were great.

We were equally happy with both the photo experience and the pictures. They take a ton of shots -- literally snapping away (not just the 8 taat JC Penny or Sears takes) and then you get to pick the ones you like and order from them. There is a session fee, but you get an album of 8 5x7s from the session (you can keep them in the album or just slide them out to give away or frame). Sheets are $9.95 or less depending on how many you buy. They offer B&W and sepia at no extra cost on any image.

Sarah.....Jason & Devin's Mommie

[suribear]

Sarah said:

As far as the inexpesive studios (Wal-Mart, Sears, JCPenny), etc. goes, I think it really depends on the actual studio and not the chain. If you find a good photographer at any store near you, you'll most likely get good pictures.

This is absolutely true!! I've had fantastic experiences with one of our local Picture People studios. My friend had a great experience with another one, so I went there to check it out. And it wasn't at all impressive.. I didn't get the photographer she had, so maybe that was it. Plus, my kids were not in a good mood that time.

So my conclusion is.. I'll stick to the Picture People studio that I've had good luck with :) OH, I do plan to try out Kiddie Kandids, too, so I may switch to them, now that everyone is doing digital anyway (which is not my first choice). They do have wonderful props and backgrounds!

I like the idea of going to a "Real" professional maybe once every few years, but it gets too expensive to go on a regular basis. There is no doubt they do a better job!

I didn't know about Master portraits. Nor did I know that Wolf does portraits! I will be interested to hear more about that.

Kris

[malisa]

Not sure, come to think about it. I should go look. We've gotten several coupons lately since Isabella's 1st birthday is coming up. Which reminds me, I need to start planning (sigh)...

Malisa
mom to Isabella 11-9-02

[houseof3boys]

Thought I'd post since a few of you were interested in our visit to get pics done today at Wolf/Ritz Camera.

We did a few nudies with black velvet unnderneath and a black background and I am pretty pleased with them. She did about 11 shots and we really loved 2 of them. The photographer was quite tolerant when Ryan decided he really had to go to the bathroom all over the place...yup, #2! We did some with a white background with him lifting his head up so it is chest up. She also attempted some with a black hat and a little tuxedo bib type thing with a rose. I said that wasn't really my speed but DH thought it might be cute for a New Years picture so we took it. We also did a few in a navy RL outfit, but I am really partial to the nudie ones. I think all babies should do nudes and I could kick myself for not doing them sooner. She did get a really good one of him holding his feet though and she got it at just the right angle so the "privates" weren't showing in the pic. Lots of patience and effort went into those so for that, I am happy that she was a trained photographer.

We got to keep all of our proofs and they were ready in 90 minutes. We ordered several sheets at $9.99 a sheet (8 x 10, 2x 5 x 7, wallets) and they will be ready in about a week. Since we ordered 5 sheets we also get to keep the negatives which is really nice too.

I joined WolfPack (their membership club) that gives discounts on the pictures and sittings besides normal film developing. Next time we are going to do a black and white sitting for $25 (with card discount) and just do black and white film. I think when he can sit up a little better that will be cuter!

HTH,

[justlearning]

I just wanted to thank you all for your input. I really appreciate your giving your recommendations and sharing your experiences.
I will take your suggestions and try to ask some mothers here in my town about where I should go and will post an update once I get his pictures done. Thanks again.