Where to go for baby pics? [Archive]

mel7dog

10-26-2006, 08:13 AM

We had DS 6 month pic taken last night at Sears and I am not happy with them. I swear we take better ones at home. I am so mad about our experience I want to go somewhere else. We can't afford a professional photographer right now though. Where do you go? Do you get to preview the pics as they take them? That was one of the problem with our family pics. They took maybe 10, but they were all right in a row and we had no idea how they looked till the end and of course they don't look right.

Chimichanga

10-26-2006, 08:41 AM

We took DD to JCPenney's for her 1 month photos. I have to say I enjoyed the experience.

They had a preview screen above the portrait area so we got to see the preview before they snapped the picture as well as after. There were a few really bad ones that they deleted right away for us.

They were fairly reasonably priced too. Of course we had coupons from "Parents" magazine; we got $4 sheets and no sitting fee. The sheets are usually $10 and the sitting fee is $10 - I think. We did their "medley" sheet of multiple images too - they were buy 2 get 1 free ($25 per sheet)

They didn't use a whole lot of props for DD - of course she was only 1 month old! :) We're definitely going to go back for her Christmas pictures and future pictures. We'll probably join their club, but for now we have enough coupons to last us for some time.

MMH

10-26-2006, 08:46 AM

I haven't tried any of the national chair stores, but I've thought about it! When DD was a newborn we signed up with a local photographer for a year long package. Photos taken at 3 weeks, 4 mo, 8 mo and a year. I have been SO happy with them. Granted, it's a bit pricier but so worth it IMO. We have some framed photos around our house and get compliments all the time. No need to buy artwork anymore!

www.bbphotography.com

It might be worth it to find a local photog. that can really capture the photos you want!

pixiecat

10-26-2006, 08:56 AM

We've only had our DD's pictures done once, but we were happy w/ the results at the Picture People. I know that the reviews are all over the place w/ them, but our photographer really captured her sweet personality!

Pamela

10-26-2006, 09:01 AM

I just took DD in to JCPennys for her 1 month pictures. I had a coupon for no sitting fee, a free 8x10 and additional sheets for $3.99. I was really happy with how they turned out and ordered 4 different poses. The photographer was great too.

smurf

10-26-2006, 09:04 AM

We took DD to Portrait Innovations for her 3 month pics and I was pleased with them. The photographer was really good with her and the prices were pretty reasonable. I know they're a fairly new chain, so I'm not sure if they have one where you are.

JenniferEC

10-26-2006, 09:18 AM

I second Portrait Innovations. After crappy service at Sears and Picture People we tried PI and they were great. I spent more than I wanted, but there were so many great poses to choose from. But like the PP said, they are reasonable with pricing.

kenswife

10-26-2006, 09:41 AM

I've had portraits done at Target several times and have loved them every time. I think it really depends on the particular studios though. I've heard mixed reviews on every portrait studio.

Hope you find a studio that you like!

EJH

10-26-2006, 10:30 AM

My MIL had DD's pics done at Kiddie Kandids awhile back. The ones she had done were terrific. I had them done there on her first birthday (albeit it a different location) and I really wasn't overly impressed.

shaqangel

10-26-2006, 11:18 AM

we tried JC Penney for DS 3mth pics and hated the experience. I'm sure it depends on the photographer too. we went to Master Portrait a couple of days later and it was such a great experience compared to JCP. we'll be going back in december for his 6mth portraits.

krbb

10-26-2006, 11:25 AM

I also recommend Portrait Innovations if there is one in your area. They took over 80 pictures to choose from. The prices were reasonable. They had one pose for 9.95 and with that you got a TON of pictures. Of course I couldn't walk out with just that though :p .

Medako

10-26-2006, 12:02 PM

We love love LOVE Portrait Innovations! The photog was wonderful, there were tons of pictures to choose from, we got so many package choices and coloring options, and the price was hard to beat!

ShannonGH

10-26-2006, 12:30 PM

Another vote for Portrait Innovations. After trying and *really* disliking JCP, we'll definitely be going back to PI. We went there for Noa's 6month...they took 75 pics, about 5 of which I really liked....If you practice some self-restraint, you can get out of there with a very reasonable price too. I did their 9.95 package (which is a TON of pics, but only 1 pose) and ordered 2 other sheets of other poses (15.00) each and was out the door with oodles of pics (in hand!) for 42.00. Can't beat that!

Kanga

10-26-2006, 01:48 PM

I just took DD in to JCPennys for her 1 month pictures. I had a coupon for no sitting fee, a free 8x10 and additional sheets for $3.99.

They always have these coupons out, either online or in parenting/baby magazines. For the price, JCP is the best option for us. You get to see the pic before they take the next one, and they usually take about 10-15 pictures. It really does depend on the photographer though. We went at her 9 mo pictures (had gotten all but newborn done before that at JCP) and got a brand new photog. She had no idea what to do when we first got there, but the manager came in to help her and we got awesome pictures. When #2 comes, we might join the club since the free sitting fee is only for one person. I always get a ton of pics for <$40. They also have a single pose package coupon for ~$8, but I can never just decide on one pose.

mel7dog

10-26-2006, 02:15 PM

Thanks for the all ideas! Sadly the only one near us is Sears, so we'll have to drive over an hour to get good pics, but it would be worth it.

Medako

10-26-2006, 02:18 PM

Thanks for the all ideas! Sadly the only one near us is Sears, so we'll have to drive over an hour to get good pics, but it would be worth it.

The nearest Portrait Innovations is 2 hours from us, but we bit the bullet and did it anyways. It was well worth it for us. (we also have family in the area, so we killed 2 birds by visiting while we were in town)

Tracie

10-26-2006, 03:34 PM

We've used Target and have been happy with them.

DianeCourt

10-26-2006, 04:59 PM

SIL lives in Indianapolis & RAVES about Portrait Innovations. I wish we had one in Detroit.

We're giving Target a try on Sunday. I'll let you all know how it turns out!

BTB

10-26-2006, 05:58 PM

We took DD to Kiddie Kandids at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 months and were always very happy with them. Then, we moved. We went to Picture People at 15 and 18 months and they've been mediocre each time - but there's so few children's photographers around here. I'd go to Kiddie Kandids again in a heartbeat if it weren't 100 miles away.

Wrighty26

10-26-2006, 06:15 PM

We went to Target for my DS's 1 month pics and they came out great. That actually reminds me that I really need to make an appt for his 3 months pics.

AlisonCO

10-26-2006, 06:32 PM

I have been very happy with Kiddie Kandids and Sears. KK has cuter backgrouds and props, but does not take appointments. I had one bad experience with a new photgrapher at Sears and when I called to reschedule I specifically asked for their most experienced photographer. The woman I had that time had been doing it for 6 years and was great.

HGMorgann

10-27-2006, 06:47 AM

We always go to Sears. We really like one of the photographers there and try to get her to do the pics. We did have another one once and she did a horrible job. I think it has a lot to do with the photographer. Maybe a different photographer will make the difference. You don't have to buy the pics if you don't like them. After our bad experience at Sears, I just took the free picture and thats it. I told them I didnt really like how they turned out and just wanted the free ones. After that, we made sure our favorite photographer is working:-)

Kelly51703

10-27-2006, 10:05 AM

I agree that a good photographer makes all the difference. We have been happy with Kiddie Kandids. We did try JCP (can't beat those prices!) and Sears. KK has a better selection of back drops and props, IMO. I like the fact that KK doesn't take appointments. I never know if DD is going to be fussy at a "scheduled" time. We always go to KK after bottles and naps so it works out.

jesseybell

10-27-2006, 11:20 AM

The photographer makes all the difference. I took my 11 week old last week to Target for her first pictures. I was stuck with a photographer "in training" who finally admitted she wasn't good with infants. By the time the more experienced photographer came in to help (she should have gone home but stayed later) my DD had already started a meltdown and it was too late. We are going back tomorrow (and bringing DH too to help) to do it with the more experienced photographer.

I wasn't thrilled with their props though so next time we may go somewhere else. But I had friends who live in my area but go to their Targets and love them, so really the specific photographer and the studio really makes it or breaks it so we're just going to try different places until we find one we like. Though we aren't ones to do tons of (professional) pictures so she won't be going that often.

BeachBum

10-27-2006, 03:46 PM

We too have been really happy with Portrait Innovations. I like that they encourage outfit changes, and take so many pictures.

But, that said, nothing can compare with the pics I've had done not in a studio by an individual photographer.
Most recently I found a woman who took pics of my son for about an hour, printed 12 of them and gave me a CD of all the ones she took. She only charged me $200. I found her through a friend who knew her from church. I would really encourage you to ask people in your area. You might stumble on someone who does a great job and isn't as expensive as you are imagining.

BooeyJ2

10-27-2006, 04:47 PM

The only place we've ever taken DD to get pics taken is Picture People BUT i've never really been thrilled with them.

I take a TON of pictures myself and love taking DD to the park or wherever and just catching random shots.

All of my favorite pics of her have been taken by me.

I do however want to have actual professional (like a wedding photographer) shots taken of her soon though.

So In Love

10-27-2006, 05:42 PM

KK has cute backgrounds but I'm not too happy with the quality of the paper. So when it comes to studios I like JCP best.

psusna

10-27-2006, 06:08 PM

Another Portrait Innovations fan. We previously used JcP but the quality didn't hold a candle to PI. We are going back next Saturday for his 18mo pics and our family photo for the year.

Aug2002Bride

10-27-2006, 07:44 PM

Love Portrait Innovations. I went to JCPenny one time and wont go back. I like that PI photographers can move with the child and not try to make them sit in one pose on a podium thing the entire time like at JCP. My pictures from JCP came out okay but I dont think it will work now with how mobile DD is. I also like that I get my pictures within 30 mins from PI and dont have to wait a month like at JCP

kmmommy

10-27-2006, 08:12 PM

Another vote for JCPenney. We've always taken DS there and the pics always turn out great.

Mel, let me know if you'd like to see some that they've done. I can post them on LJ for you.

mel7dog

10-28-2006, 06:56 AM

I think our experience at Sears was bad because of the photographer. The girl we had was in training and the other lady who helped her was so irritatating. They were distracted and chatting the whole time,rushing through everything, not asking me what I wanted (I kept having to jump in and say "no we want this", and even swearing at least twice in front of us! DS is a very happy baby, but this lady kept missing his smile by a few seconds. Blah. We ended up buying one sheet of DS for $7.99 and getting our free family 10x13, so at least all we spent is $8 on it all. I guess I just had my hopes up. DH and I take pretty good pics, so we're going to set up some backgrounds and have our own photosession today. We may try another Sears/JcPenney next month when we are visiting my parents up north. My mom is VERY good at getting what she wants and she already send she would be a pain if needed and not put up with crappy pics, lol. When I was little we always went to Sears. MY mom would basically run the enitre session and we always got good pics :D

Jen309

11-09-2006, 10:27 AM

How are the prices at Portrait Innovations? We have a new one near us and I'm thinking about taking DS there for Christmas/1yr shots. Their website shows what they do, but not how much it costs!! I know they have the $9.95 deal, but that's it! Help!

BTW, all we've ever had done of DS has been at JCP (the coupon). I've never been thrilled with the outcome and I don't think they could hire people with any less personality. Waving the blowcard thing in front of my son (messing up his hair!!) with no expression on your own face is NOT going to create a genuine smile. :rolleyes:

IUAlum

11-09-2006, 12:42 PM

The $9.95 deal is a steal at Portrait Innovations.
After that each individual sheet (1 8x10, 4 3x5s, etc) is $15 and then they have packages.
We didn't buy a package so I don't remember exactly, but I want to say that a 3 pose package was about $70.

krbb

11-09-2006, 01:27 PM

I bought 5 poses at Portrait Innovations and this included one special sheet that had three pictures on it. It also came with a cd of all the poses and 6 cards. One of the poses was the 9.95 deal. The other four came with 3 sheets. You could choose between 1-8x10,2-5X7,or a page of wallets and I think 4-5x7s. (I forget how many are one it). I think it was about $90 for everything. I got a TON of pictures though. You get your pictures that day.

mommy2allyandaveri

11-09-2006, 04:15 PM

We've been doing our pictures at JCPenny's for 3 years now and have had very good luck.

Cr8nme

11-09-2006, 05:59 PM

I ALWAYS go to portrait innovations now! I LOVE them... I usually get 6 poses and it comes with a CD and a few other things and its about $109 I think. What they do is snap away and when they finish with my DD we usually have 150 or so pics... Then you sit down in front of a big flat screen tv and you go through sets of pics (like 6) and you choose which ones you love out of those. Once you go through all of them you can then see what you have chosen and narrow it down like that:) We usually always get our favorite of each oufit. Plus sometimes a naked one.

DianeCourt

11-10-2006, 10:38 AM

Man, I wish we had a Portrait Innovations here in Detroit! I always hear such great things about them.

Anyway, we did The Studio at Target for DD's one year photos. I just got them back yesterday. They did simple backgrounds, which I like - I'm not a fan of cheesy photo backdrops. I wasn't impressed with their selection of props. The photographer wasn nice, but not skilled at getting babies to smile! I had to make a fool of myself for that! Overall, I was satisfied & we spent a little over $80 to supply the entire family with pictures.

Janey

11-10-2006, 12:31 PM

I was just searching around for photography recs the other day hoping to find a place that had a "first year photo package" that I could ask for from the grandparents. I found this thread:

http://www.constantchatter.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7153

Hope that helps for more reviews.

Lizard

12-05-2006, 07:15 PM

Just thought I'd bump this up... after all the great recommendations for Portrait Innovations we decided to give them a try. The whole experience was terrible. Our appointment was at 3:00, we didn't get in until nearly 4:30. The photographer rushed through everything, then we waited for nearly another hour just to VIEW our photos. We finally did that, picked out a couple we liked and left. I have to go back tomorrow to pick them up because DD was screaming her head off (for good reason, we'd been there for 4 hours!).

The pictures were absolutely nothing to write home about. I probably could have done better with our digital camera at home. At least there I would have had more chances of catching a smile on camera (we got NO smiles from DD... not the photographer's fault but I wasn't feeling smiley after waiting all that time either).

I know part of this has to do with the rush of the holiday season, but... wow. I doubt we'll use them again.

nuhmah

12-06-2006, 07:24 PM

Aww, Lizard, I'm sorry it didn't go well! It is such a hassle to begin with to make sure the little ones are dressed, fesd, not spitting up, awake, rested, and happy. Throwing other factors makes it downright impossible!

We went to JCPenney's - it was ok. I joined their portrait club, and we plan to go back and have some photos taken after the holiday season of DS and my parents, and the three of us, and maybe some of DH and I. I have all these coupons I would love to use up! I wasn't overly impressed with the photog (my mom and I did all the work to get him to smile - that, or he is an easy baby!), and the sales girl was not pushy at all. I think I ordered about $40 worth of photos... I can't wait to get them and try my hand at some photoshop. ;)

Traciann

12-07-2006, 07:41 AM

lizard- FWIW I had pictures taken at PI rencently and we had a three hr wait from start to finish. we did get what we were looking for, but honestly i think its not representative of their normal service. i have had pictures taken before and we were in and out rather quickly. i think its the holiday time, and everyone wanting pictures at the same time.

Kanga

12-07-2006, 08:52 AM

About how much is portrait innovations? They just a built a new one out near us so I'm curious as to what they're like and I'm getting a little bored of JCP.

Kanga

12-10-2006, 06:31 AM

anyone?

Cr8nme

12-10-2006, 06:50 AM

Kanga~ I ALWAYS go to portrait innovations... this is what I do know. I went yesterday to a new one in a different state as I have moved recently and the price was the same. I always get the 6 pose collection which consists of 6 different poses 3 sheets of each so a total of 18 sheets of pics. the standard sheets are 1-8x10, 2-5x7, 8 wallets but you could swap out something for 3.5x 5's or get all 8x10s if you wanted or any combinaation you want. The six pose collection is $99.95 With that package you get 2 bonus special effects sheets they are 11x13. Yesterday I got a 3 image special effect and just one of her that I really loved with shading on the sides. You also get a CD with ALL of your images. You only get the CD if you get 3 poses or more. The 1 pose collection is 24.95. 5 poses is 89.95 but then the special effects go down to 1
They also have a $9.95 special all the time which consists of 10 sheets of 1 pose which consists of 1-11x13, 2-8x10, 4- 5x7, 4-3.5x5, 32-wallets this can also be added to any pose package

Yesterday I took DD and I had never been to this one. They took a total of 65 images and I was happy with what they got as DD kept trying to run to play with the other kids in the play area :rolleyes: I ended up with 6 poses and the $9.95 special My total with tax and everything was $118.97 and the best thing of all my pics were ready in 15 minutes:D

Kanga

12-10-2006, 10:01 AM

Thanks Cr8nme! Do they only have packages then, and not price by the sheet? And do they have you on a podium, or are you on the floor? I'd like to get maternity photos taken with dd, and I can't imagine getting up on a podium AND trying to keep dd from getting off (it seems to be her mission lately at JCP:rolleyes: ).

Cr8nme

12-10-2006, 10:19 AM

Kanga~ Your welcome ;) they have you on the floor no podiums at all. Yes you can buy by the sheet and I believe its $15 per sheet. HTH!!

Cr8nme

12-10-2006, 10:22 AM

Kanga~ I would say give it a try... DD has been there 5 or more times and I have never had a bad experience. Yesterday it was really crowded with families taking holiday pictures and I did have to wait for the non christmas decoration room which was about 10 minutes or so but that gave me enough time to change DD into her outfit and smooth her hair.

Here are a couple of pics they took yesterday 2 out of 65,lol

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6cc28b3127cce8fc7bef8a83900000015100AZt2jRm4bMm JA

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6cc28b3127cce8fc7b261299600000026110AZt2jRm4bMm JA

Pink_Converse

01-31-2007, 12:48 PM

Where on the Target website can I see ideas for photos? When I talked to the studio they said I could but I can't find it.

tgal

01-31-2007, 01:21 PM

I wanted to post here awhile back. I'm not sure if anyone here has mentioned looking on Craigslist for photographers. A friend of mine told me about this. She hired someone to shoot her ds's 1st bday and do family portraits. I decided to do the same and found someone who is starting out, but has a good portfolio so far. She is charging me $50 (only because she has to travel ~50 miles to get to my house) for 3 hours and 1/2 off her print prices. Her print prices are extremely reasonable as well. Anyway, just thought I would throw that out there.