Kiddie Kandids vs. Penneys

We went to Penneys for their 6 month pictures, and now I'm trying to figure out what to do for their 1 year pictures. Penneys pictures turned out fine, but it was such a hectic place....everyone scheduled for such short appointments that there was no way you could do it in time, so they were so far behind, didn't take time to change the background or even ask what you wanted, told us to bring clothes to change but then barely gave us enough time and no good place to do it. The pros were that the pictures actually did turn out very cute, and they were crazy cheap.

Our only other real option here (other than a crazy expensive professional that I'm not willing to do or Sears which I'm sure is just like Penneys) is Kiddie Kandids, and based on what I've seen online they're still reasonable but a lot more than Penneys (because Penneys coupons are so good). So tell me about your KK experience...is it worth the extra money? Do they give you time to change the babies clothes, actually choose your background, etc.?

 

I have not used JCP so can't comment on them. But I have used Sears and was pleased with them. I used Kiddie Kandids and was NOT happy with them. Keep in mind it will probably vary from store to store...

The KK I went to is inside Babies R Us near me, and it was a very tiny studio. The actual picture taking area is combined with the waiting room and place where you sit and review/buy your photos. Just one big room, so it is very distracting to little ones.

My biggest complaint was that the photographer only took 6 pictures. Not 6 poses, but 6 pictures. That's it. He only wanted to snap 6 times, and as you know with twin youngsters, you need to snap more than 6 times to get even one decent shot. What I don't understand is it is all digital photography so it's not like they are wasting film on you. When I interrupted and asked why so few shots, and asked if he could retake one or two, because they totally were not looking at the camera, crying etc. He had an attitude and said "we don't review the pictures until after we're done" And I replied, that if he didn't re-take a few, I wouldn't be buying anything that day. What good is reviewing the 6 shots later when you can't retake them, and someone else's shoot has begun? I can't understand why a photographer wouldn't try to capture as many good shots as possible - that would typically mean more selection for you and greater chance of you buying more, right?

Anyway, Sears took a bunch of shots and was easier to work with. Note that at this time of year, every place will be hectic. Next year I plan on taking my photos on a weekday in early November!!!

 

We went to Kiddie Kandids and got a free picture for the kids as a friend gave us some referral card. We got an amazing picture of 1 month olds. They took about 30 pictures but they could only save 6 so we had to keep picking ones we did not want.

It worked well for us.

A good friend uses Pennys and her pictures are so plain. They are nice but in no way artistic.

We tried Wal-mart as well and the pictures came back a month later out of focus. I was really upset. They offered a re-shoot, but the kids were already a month older. The memory is lost.

For us Portrait innovations has been great!

 

I have done both and I DO NOT like kiddie kandids. JMO.

 

What about a Kiddie Kandids outside of BRU? Is that any better, or still the same big room setup?

And what's with this only 6 picture thing?!

Penneys is starting to seem not so bad after all, or maybe we'll try Sears just to compare.

Their birthday is January 8, so that should be a relatively slow time for picture taking anywhere I hope!

 

QUOTE(BridgePort @ Dec 7 2007, 01:26 PM) [snapback]524894[/snapback]
What about a Kiddie Kandids outside of BRU? Is that any better, or still the same big room setup?

And what's with this only 6 picture thing?!

Penneys is starting to seem not so bad after all, or maybe we'll try Sears just to compare.

Their birthday is January 8, so that should be a relatively slow time for picture taking anywhere I hope!



Yeah - the 6 pictures is the thing that gets me most. I wish our photographer would have snapped 30 pictures, like the other poster's did. But he literally only snapped 6 times :angry:
Don't know about a KK outside BRU - maybe the set up is better, but I would still inquire about the actual number of pics taken.

 

I had a good experience with Kiddie Kandids, outside of BRU. They took about 20+ pics, but narrowed it down to the 6 best photos to make package selections from. For the twins birthday, I got two free 8x10 individual pics with my package. We went on a weekday when they weren't busy so we had a lot of time with the photographer. I haven't tried any other place. HTH.

 

We've only been to Kiddie Kandids as we have had such good experiences there. It is inside a BRU, but the photographer we go to is a twin herself, and great with kids. She took probably 50 shots the last time we were there. And the others in the studio help out. They ask which twin is more likely to cooperate, and all sorts of questions about what we want so we plan ahead and get great shots.

I guess from some of the PP it really depends on who you get as a photographer?

 

We have not been to penneys but went to sears and weren't happy there. Then we went to kiddie kandids for 9 months and were very pleased. yes, they only saved 6 pictures but they were all good ones. the photographer checked with use along the way to make sure we were happy with each one and deleted the others. I'd love to have more photos but realistically it's hard enough to pick from the 6 when they're all good. this kiddie kandids was in the mall. we went in november on a weekday morning the first appointment of the day and that worked well. they have some good coupons too for the milestones so we got 20% off the whole package and ended up paying less than we had at sears for more sheets.

 

QUOTE(BridgePort @ Dec 6 2007, 05:46 PM) [snapback]523809[/snapback]
We went to Penneys for their 6 month pictures, and now I'm trying to figure out what to do for their 1 year pictures. Penneys pictures turned out fine, but it was such a hectic place....everyone scheduled for such short appointments that there was no way you could do it in time, so they were so far behind, didn't take time to change the background or even ask what you wanted, told us to bring clothes to change but then barely gave us enough time and no good place to do it. The pros were that the pictures actually did turn out very cute, and they were crazy cheap.

Our only other real option here (other than a crazy expensive professional that I'm not willing to do or Sears which I'm sure is just like Penneys) is Kiddie Kandids, and based on what I've seen online they're still reasonable but a lot more than Penneys (because Penneys coupons are so good). So tell me about your KK experience...is it worth the extra money? Do they give you time to change the babies clothes, actually choose your background, etc.?



Mine were not very smiley for Penney's and there just wasn't enough time to sweet talk them into good moods. It was also very distracting for them. I took my own and I'm much happier with them. Plus I spent half as much at walmart.com than at Penney's! I got such great Christmas cards.