Sears or JC Penney Portrait Studio?

Since my daughter was born I have tried so many places and the only place that we've had the best experience was JC Penneys. I believe they are most affordable, especially with the coupons that are out there and online. The Burnsville Center is where we go. We've tried Sears at several locations, they never interacted well with my daughter and seemed to push the pricey packages.

I have had good luck at Target. They now offer digital photography and can follow the kids around with a small camera. We got some really cute pictures of our girls and they offer free sittings and coupons on their website. Walmart is okay too. Not the most creative poses or backgrounds, but you can really just buy their $5.99 package and you get a ton of pictures. Great to pass out to family a couple times of year. Both places also send out a free 8x10 for the childs birthday.

I just saw my friend's kid pics she had done at Target and they were fantastic. I don't normally like the "chain" stores for portraits but these were very good.

I've only been to Sears in Mplw and MOA. I prefer MOA because it's not as busy and the wait isn't that long. At Mplw unless you go in the morning you have to wait some. One time we waited over two hours and even saw people come and go that came after us. Come to find out they had our slip on the table behind the registers and they forgot about us. I was sooo ticked off. By the time they took us our kid was cranky. I won't forgive them for that. They also allow you to change your order at the same price but you have a day or two to do it and they'll charge you $10.00 but at MOA they said they usually waive that fee. Just make sure to ask them. If you order on-line it's full price and items from 6 months ago are $14.99 but the pictures that I want to re-order now from 3 months ago are going for $21.99. A $15 smilesavers card will save you the $14.99 sitting fee each time you go. Overall it's an okay place to go if you don't mind waiting 15 minutes or way long on the weekends. I try to get the morning appts. If I picked a Sears it would be MOA over Mplw. I haven't gone to JCP but maybe somebody can shed light on them for you.

Some people are recommending you stuff and I want to note that my Aunt had pictures taken at Proex and they are now about 22 years old and the photos are peeling. Maybe the cheapness has gone away. I go to Ron Burg Photography (private) in conjunction to Sears too.

I've worked for both companies. I would not choose either. I also use to be a photographer at Proex I highly recommend them. Or highering a private photographer but that's more exspensive.

Here are my reason's why to choose Proex:

They have appointments that they keep to,they don't run behind (maybe occasionally at xmas time but generally they don't)

They give you exactly what you want not packages where your overloaded or talked into buying that you don't need.
Photographers don't get commission on sales your not talked into anything.

They are price competative with everyone else

They photograph pets

They are more personable and are willing to really work with you.

The training at Proex is AWESOME I had the crappiest training at Penny's and Sear's but when I was at Proex WOW I had very very exstensive training offsite and had follow up training every year.

I am no longer employed by any photography studio's so this is not a biased opinion. I left Proex a few years ago and still bring my daughter there or I take the pictures myself.

Thank you for posting this question -- I have been wondering the same thing. I have only done one portrait session with my son and we went to Sadie's at the MOA, thinking they would be better than Sears or JCPenney. But I was NOT impressed, especially given how much more expensive they are. I'm trying to decide now if I dare try something cheaper (Sears/JCP/Target/ProEx) or just bite the bullet and go to a "real" photography studio. So I hope you get lots of replies!

Hi Stacey,
I have always used the JCPenney in Rosedale because our pictures always turned out beautiful. Plus, they have great discounts also. I always get the best picture and turn it into a package for $7.99 w/coupon and then when I go to pick them up, they add a sheet for you to buy for $9.99 if you like it. I used Sears too but didn't like it as well so I've with JCPenneys. Very kid friendly too! Take care!
Blesst

I like Siji Studios the best. Located on Snelling avenue..

check out his site at www.sijistudios.com