Portrait Studio Question

[AmyP]

I'd really like to get Sarah's 18-month pictures taken soon. I've used JCPenney in the past, and while I like them okay, I've had trouble with them before. Her 6-month shots took three tries! One time they lost our pictures (they had "a film problem", but we think they lost them), the second time the camera wouldn't load pictures to their computer, third try was great. We've used Sears and Picture People, but they get pricey awfully quick.

I want to try our local Wal-mart, but I haven't had any experience with them before. Anyone gone there? I figure it's worth a try since I think a package from them is around $7. I want something of good quality, though. Are their pictures generally good? I'm not majorly picky about backgrounds, although I do like a nice pose. Of course with Sarah's new-found walking, I don't know how well they're going to get her to pose anyway.

Anyone have another suggestion of somewhere to go that isn't going to break the bank?

[Cami]

Walmart has the setup where you have to pick a pose when you see it and that's your package shot. Then you can buy extras but even at low price, it adds up. Most of the Walmarts I've seen don't have a ton of space for taking their photos so the options for poses are limited. But we used to go to Walmart a lot and had the same photographer all the time. She did a great job and she'd fudge the rules to let us use whatever pose we liked for the package.

Is there another JCP close to you?

Before we moved, we started going to Portrait Innovations, which I think is a mostly national chain. They are very patient, take tons of shots, and have lots of options. And you get them immediately. It can get pricey and the pricing setup is confusing but it's cheaper than, say, Picture People.

[AmyP]

The other JCP close to me is at a mall that's not in the greatest of locations, so I don't want to go there. I have used JCP since and have been fine, but I'm still a bit nervous.

Portrait Innovations sounds great, but it's not in Maryland. :(

I may try Wal-mart and also go to Picture People and just get the shot and enter in the contest (the grand prize is a $3,000 Gymboree gift card, next prize down is a $1,500 Gymboree gift card, gotta give it a shot!) and see what happens. DH said for $7 to give Wal-mart a try.

ETA: I just looked online and the other JCP close to me isn't listed as having a portrait studio online. I'll be in the neighborhood of another one next week and I suppose I could give that one a shot since I do go out that way regularly, just not in the summer. Hmmm...

[Mandi]

I've used Walmart twice when I wanted something really cheap. IMO you get what you pay for. The quality of the paper they print the photos on is crappy. :nod: I was very disappointed when I got them.

[Jayne]

I've used Walmart twice when I wanted something really cheap. IMO you get what you pay for. The quality of the paper they print the photos on is crappy. :nod: I was very disappointed when I got them.

I agree with this!


I have used Sears and been pretty pleased with them. We had them mess up a film at Christmas and I was really really upset but it was a rush time so I give them the bennefit of the doubt. They gave me a lot because of the mess up. I have always been pleased. We also have a local photographer who has awesome prices so I have been going to her. Do you have anyone in your area that is a proffessional photographer. I have never been upset by the private person!

[TtownAnne]

I've never had a problem with Walmart. :dunno: How can AGFA paper be bad? You get a truckload of pictures for not a lot of money, and the backgrounds are cute instead of the hokey plastic stuff at Picture People.

[Karri]

Target

[AmyP]

The closest Target with a portrait studio is about 35 minutes away. :(

Sears tends to be pricey, even with us being in their smile savers. Although I have liked their photos. Of course our closest Sears isn't that great. The pictures are fine, but their service sucks. We had an appointment the last two times we were there and we still waited an hour both times. It was so frustrating! I told DH I'm not going there again unless I can get an appointment time right when they open.

I guess we will give Wal-mart a try and hope for the best. I've seen pictures Anne has gotten of Caroline and they're nice.

[Mary DK]

I might have to give Walmart a try, I need to get Ian's 2yr old pics.

We have used Sears and Picture People.
Sears is okay but it can get pricey, we have pretty much gotten good service everytime and the photographers have a good way with the kiddos... I just wish it didn't break our bank account.
Picture People, we used them about 3 times and two of those were AWFUL experiences and there weren't even the same studios!! So even though we got a new one at the mall closest to us I will not use them and my hubby agrees 100% with this decision.

[Shel]

35 minutes isn't bad for a Target Portrait Studio. We've always had great luck with them

[AmyP]

To clarify, it's 35 minutes and $2.00 each way in tolls. :(

[MrsPeacefrog]

If the session is better and worth it, then I would pay an extra $4 and a 35 minute drive for it, if it isn't, then I would stick to whats around and give the Walmart a try, you never know till you give it a go :dunno: