Hi - I have in the past taken my son to "Picture People" for his photos. I find that they are really nice, but expensive and require extra money to join clubs, etc... and I feel that some other peoples I have seen are just as nice and have good backgrounds, props, etc. Any recommendations on where to take him for photos? Target, Sears? I'm not sure and would love some recommendations.
I always use Sears, you can coupons in Parents magazine, for no sitting fee, and a nice package for about $15... Good Luck!!!
Just looked online- here is a link for the deals they have now
http://www.searsportrait.com/cpi/en-US/offers/main/
Hi! It probably depends on the actual store and photographer, but we have had terrible luck with Sears and great experiences with JC Penney. Penney's puts out coupons that make the photos really cheap - I think about $3.99 each. When we get one of those coupons, we order photos for everyone!
We use Portrait Innovations. Not sure if they are in your area but worth checking their website.
We ususally go to Portrait Innovations. I like that you get your pictures that day. Their packages start at $9.95. I usually spend more for a few different poses, but have learned to take my time while looking at the digital proofs and if it's a picture that I can/have taken at home -- not one that "wows" me, I won't add it.
I like them because their photographers are moving all around to capture your children.
We have gone to the one on Rt. 59 - but I wasn't too thrilled with our photographer - could be because it was around Christmas and they over-booked... we normally go to the one in Orland Park and I've loved our experience each time there.
JC Penny's. And make sure you print off a coupon online!
I have used Target and JC Penney in the past and (although it depends on the photographer in staff) they both did a great job.
We love Portrait Innovations. We used them in Normal, Naperville, and Orland Park. All have been great. Yes there is pressure to buy more pictures, but it is truly up to you. There are no sitting fees like at the other places people mentioned. That saves you money there and you can join in the pics for no extra charge if you want. We tend to get the package and 1 other pose. It can cost $15 for one sheet or $25 for three sheets of that additional pose. We gotten into getting the Deluxe Cameo now for $30 since we can get 3 more poses on that one sheet and don't have to find so much wall space at home. Thus we come home with 4 poses for ~$42. They really work with the kids. Just make sure you make an appointment, they tend to be very busy. You also get your pictures in about 15-30 mins depending on how busy they are. Enjoy!
I usually do Walmart. You can still send a good bit but I think last time I got a group picture of my three sons (package), plus just a few of the boys individually, plus the CD with ALL the pictures on there that I could use as I wanted. I want to say I spent about $119. We're getting ready to go next week for some family pictures actually!
Jcpenneys does a good job and good prices, look for coupons.
We had a great experience at Portrait Innovations in naperville... They have 2 people working with you, one photographer and one to help pose the child. The pictures came out wonderful. I spent just about as much as at Picture People, however got a ton more pictures, plus a cd with all the pictures to make copies...
we have used JC Penny for pictures. They usually have packages available and sometimes coupons are in the money mailer type things that come in the mail. They take good pictures, but they aren't creative at all.
portrait innovations is the best at 75th and 59
I really liked JcPenny's because of their coupons, and their photo club, which includes sitting fees for everyone for 2 years plus discounts on orders, is really reasonable.
I went to Walmart once and the prices were great, I received every picture she took plus a CD for around $160, but the second time I went I spent about $110 for 12 sheets. I loved the pictures they took and I can still access them online if I wanted to order more.
We did go to Portrait Innovations once with a coupon, however, my son was sick so I had to cut the photo shoot short. You do get a CD with your order and the photos are printed the same day.
Sears has really good deals if you have a coupon. Several parenting magazines have them inside. You can probably just take an insert out of a magazine in the store if you aren't subscribed. We were able to get a great photo package for my daughter for $4.99! A lot of their coupons are for a huge package that costs $7.99.
We always go to JC Penny's. My SIL saves all the coupons she gets at its like 4.99 for any sheet (a sheet can be 10x13, an 8x10, 2 5x7's, etc.) Usually you still have to pay the sitting fee, but I think thats only 9.00-18.00. Here's my suggestion though, ask for the more seasoned photographers. I got one that had only been there a few months and she was horrible.
I use Target and Picture People on ocassion too. I agree with you about PP, I really like the pictures they take, I think they are a higher quality, but they are a bit expensive. I find Target to be very good too and go there more often. They also put out coupons in the paper and online--also if you get those Entertainment Coupon books Target has a coupon in there for 50% off, that was why I first used them and I was happy, especially witht that price. If you join their mailing list you get them all the time. It does depend on the photographer, some of them are much better, but even the not as good ones I've had still get at least a few decent shots of the kids, and seriously do I need to pick out MORE pictures...I don't think so! ;)
I've always had great photos from Penneys at a great price!
Photo Express has a decent price and you get to keep the proofs. I've tried Portrait Innovations. While they take nice pictures, I find myself spending more money there. They show you the digital proofs right after your photo shoot and you have to choose right then and there which pictures you want to order. I found that to be high pressure and ended up spending more then I would have if I just had a set of proofs to take home and think about.
Portrait Innovations is by far the cheapest! You can get a package deal for $9.95 that includes a 10 x 13, 2 8 x 10s, maybe 4 5 x 7s, a bunch of 4 x 6s, wallets, and picture cards (or a calendar). Plus they don't have a sitting fee either! Sears and J.C. Penny do decent jobs too, but they don't include as many pictures as Portrait Innovations does and they do charge sitting fees (unless you have a coupon that includes one free). Good luck!
