First studio pictures

I feel like such a bad mommy for not having any studio pictures of the girls done yet! I have ton of digital pics with our camera but nothing professional. I need to get them done really soon and need some input on how other MoM's did it. I need to keep the costs down too since I've been laid off since Nov and we're down to a single income.

First off, the only places available to me hear in central MA are Target, Sears, JC Penny, and The Picture Place. Any recommendations for those with experience with any of these places?

Also, we're going to want pics of the girls individually and together. I'm wondering if this means I have to buy (3) different picture packages. If so, that seems really expensive. Any advice?

Thanks!

 

I went to sears and they took pics of me with them, and them by themselves and them together. If you go to the website they always have coupons and good deals going on. I really liked them. Here's a link to our photos. GL!

 

I went to a small photography place locally and had a lady do it for me and she charged me a flat fee and gave me a CD of all the prints so that I could get my own prints developed. It was cheaper than Target or JCPenny for me in the long run and I have CD of all the digital prints that I can have made anytime I want. Maybe you can find a place like that. It ended up being $89 for the CD (48 different shots) and session and we had both together and individual..naked (with diapers) and two different outfits. Was really within our budget and we just went to a local print shop and figured out what size prints we wanted and kept it cheap that way.

 

I just figured this out (and if you're a bad mommy, I'm terrible because these are the first professional pics of the kids besides the ones at daycare in the spring and fall)...find a newer photographer in your area who is looking to bolster his/her portfolio. You can get a really good deal that way...check out craigslist too. That's how I found my photographer who came yesterday to our house (photos posted in the 2-4 forum). No sitting fee, I get a CD with 35 photos for a reasonable flat rate, a CD with all photos at lower resolution for web posting free, and then I can order whatever else I want at cost. Just an idea.

 

I went to the Picture Place and they were wonderful with our guys. When we first got there they had a complete meltdown......to the point they said walk them around the mall and come back....in 30 min....not another day! So we went back, fed them, theye had another meltdown and they said change their clothes and we'll try again. After this try, and crankiness (which is TOTALLY NOT normal) they settled down and we were able to get their pics. I was totally happy with them. Their prices were very reasonable. I bought about 7 sheets and a framed 24x12 3 photo picture all for under $300. I'll be back for their 6 month except this time most of teh family can buy their own. I couldn't believe their patience....it really was incredible.

 

Josh and the twins have never had their pictures professionally taken! I much prefer random shots with the digital. Much cheaper too! GL!

 

Hey Lisa ~

I just got my girls pics done at Sears and was VERY happy. I was skeptical about going there, but came away impressed. Now I need to remember how to post a link to show you...... :huh:

 

We set up our own "studio" at home using a sheet as a backdrop and fun toys as props and take pictures when our girls are in the mood. They turn out so much better than the professional pictures that I don't even bother trying to go to Portrait People or any of the other decent studios. If you're concerned about money, I'd recommend trying to do some posed pictures at home and see how they turn out. You may like them so much there's no need to spend the money on professional pictures.

 

Thanks so much for sharing. Love the pics of the boys, Tarin Great money saving tips too. DH and I will be making a decision in the next day or two. I'll be sure to share once we get them done and online.

Have a wonderful night!

 

My mother insisted on getting professional photos of the girls for their 100th day [very special day for babies in the Korean culture]. Other than this, we haven't had any professional photos of the girls. I've taken at least a couple hundred on the digi-cam though. We are also living on one income so we figure paying for professional photos are kind of a waste of money. And plus, there's no guarentee that they're going to turn out good.

Here are some of the photos for example [I took pictures of the pictures, that's why they look funny]:
Babies: http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h241/Hal...ies/BabiesI.jpg
Mom and Babies: http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h241/Hal...ndbabiesIII.jpg
Rose Mae: http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h241/Hal...Rose100days.jpg
Alyssa Lyn: http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h241/Hal...yssa100days.jpg

Look at me, lol. I look like a "Negative Nancy" in this post :lol: Totally not meaning to be. Just stating my opinion ^_^

 

I didn't do it until mine were 6 months old, too.

I have been going to Sears. I bought their Super Saver membership for $40. With this membership I get free sittings any time I like. With every sitting they give me one free 8x10 photo of my choosing from that sitting. If I go Monday through Thursday all photos are $8 per sheet and are buy one get one free of the same print so it's essentially $4 per sheet.

My only complaint is that they really try to sell me on the expensive packages and they obviously don't appreciate my taking full advantage of their deals (I can still use their coupons with this membership). It doesn't phase me, though. I've been 5 times now and have gotten a lot of great pictures. The best thing about it is that I get a variety of shots in different clothes, poses, styles, and ages without shelling out all my money on just one sitting that has only one style, one age, one outfit.

 

I've had professional pictures taken of the babies but the best pictures we have are the ones we took ourselves with just a black piece of fabric for $2 at walmart as a backdrop.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=3627...&id=8101207

 

QUOTE(horizon250 @ May 19 2009, 07:51 PM) [snapback]1320386[/snapback]
I've had professional pictures taken of the babies but the best pictures we have are the ones we took ourselves with just a black piece of fabric for $2 at walmart as a backdrop.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=3627...&id=8101207

very very cute! I should try something like that.

We've done lots of profressional ones... here's what I like about JC Penney:

I did buy their club for $30 or 40... can have free sitting fees for 2 years... otherwise they want to charge $10/person per sitting... though you can usually get the first person free with coupons. Search their website for coupons... under Other Services and photography. usually you can get a $3.99/sheet coupon w/free 8x10.

Also, I always pay $5 for "Smiles By Wire"... you get small -very small images for electronic viewing and sharing. Its great for Facebook and emailing... you are NOT supposed to print and they don't really print really well anyway. But... one you buy the $5 thing... you can purchase a cd with the rights to print all the pictures from the sitting... the cd is $99 + shipping... about $117 total. Then you can print off at Costco etc. I paid an extra $20 or so to get the prints I wanted and now have the rights for life... the images are 20-30" or so... VERY large! i also liked it because I was able to dink around in Photo Shop and copy/paste some of the images so that I got ones with both twins smiling!! seemed that one a couple of them one looked good and then the next... I was able to salvage it!

good luck. I really enjoy my pictures... of course I went overboard (monthly)! sometimes just spending $30... I treasure them all... but do really like the newborn, 6 month, 9 month and my 12 month ones!

 

I have been to Target and JcPennys. I perfer my jcpennys store now. They we great with the twins and they put to photographers in there with us and really tried to get the twins to smile and have fun. I would try to observe both studios and see what you think