Last year we had photos taken of our son at JC Penny's and the photos were cute but the lighting wasn't the greatest on some of the photos. Well it's picture time again. Can anyone recommend a good studio? I'd also like to be able to purchase a high quality CD of the pictures so I can print my own in the future (for scrapbooking or whatever). I know that Sears does that--has anyone used Sears for photos?
Babies R Us is great.
I use Sears all the time... and I use Picture People, but they are more pricey. I'd be happy to send you our Holiday Photos so you can see the quality. We use the one in West Covina.
We go to Kiddie Kandids-a bit pricey, but great pics and u get a CD usually w/ a package purchase. LAURA:)
I know you were asking about studios but there are some really great independent photographers. We had a private session with a great photographer, reasonably priced and went with our ideas what was more "us" in style. I can't find their card but is Snider Photo and Design, they are in Long Beach (714) 863-2702. Tell Russell and Emily that Jama referred you.
Hi Lisa,
I've had some luck at Picture People. The one in Redondo Beach is decent enough, but I will never go back to the one at the Brea Mall - horrible customer service each time with 1.5 hour wait for pics afterward after being told it would only take 20 minutes. Also, Brea has no bathroom. They are not equipped on a number of levels to work with kids. No response from customer service when I have complained. Haven't tried any other location. A friend of mine has suggested Target Photo Center. I haven't tried them yet but might the next time we go for pics.
Good luck!
Christina
Buy a digital camera and take your own pictures.
Hi Lisa,
You didn't mention what community your in, but I'd like to just mention my studio. Please look at the children and family galleries on my site: www.whitewolfstudio.net. I do wonderful work with children. These are custom family portraits, taking the time to let the children's personality shine through. I travel, and am willing to meet you for a personal portrait session. I find that when I put children in a comfortable setting, rather than on a backdrop, I can get truer portraits!
Have a wonderful new year with your loved ones,
Amy Levinsohn
White Wolf Studio
Hello, Our daughters use Babies R Us. They are very good with the children and have great plans as well as the CDs. We just had our local grandchildren done and then when suddenly our other two grandchildren came out from Ohio, we had all of them done together again. It was great and gave us a chance to get some of the 5 month old by herself.
Good luck with your precious family.
Kathie K.
I suggest Nancy Thompson. She's awesome and does give a CD with the high resolution photos. Her number is 714-813-2612
Monkeys and Peas! Trina is awesome! The pics are more natural than a place like Sears and yes, you do get a high quality cd as well. The website is monkeysandpeas.com.
Hi Lisa-
When my kid's were little, we always used The Picture People. They were patient and you could get the CD as well. My only warning, and this might not be an issue after the Holiday's, is that they are understaffed so frequently there is a waitime at the check-in area. That said, we have always gotten GREAT pictures. Now my kid's are 10 & 13 so we just go w/ friend's and take pictures. They take our photo's and we take theirs. It works great!
Check on craig's list- there are often new photographers who are trying to build portfolios that will give you a great deal that includes the CD. The portraits can be done at a location you pick and usually they have websites so you can see samples. I was doing photography for a while and that was how I found clients to start- I offered a free re-shoot if people weren't happy with their results so people would feel confident about getting their money's worth and I have several repeat clients and referrals. You may also ask other moms in your area if they know of someone like this. Good luck!
Zoe (pronounced Zo not Zoey) is amazing! Her sitting fees are cheap compared to other experienced photographers and the fee includes ALL photos, which is amazing in itself. She puts together a darling photo book for you and then gives you everything. I paid $15 (I think) extra for high res CD's also. Most sitting fees don't include anything and are higher.....and the pix can be $25-50 each!!!! I believe she is also listed as a mom owned business on Mamasource, check it out.
here is her site:
http://www.photographybyzoe.com/
She just did two of my friends Christmas cards and they are to die for!
Hi Lisa,
I have used Sears in the past for the same reason. I am a BIG scrapbooker and always want the hi-res photos on a CD. They have done a pretty good job. It really depends on who you get as your photographer though. One time we got a new gal who didn't really know what she was doing and the photos didn't turn out that great. (Of course I still bought them and played with them in Photoshop myself.) But the other times our photos turned out pretty well.
Hope that helps. Ü
Sears was a major rip off!! I had a coupon so I thought I would get a good deal. Nope, I paid the same price for pics as you would at a professional studio and the photos weren't great.(Could have been the 17yr old taking the pictures prob doesn't have a whole lot of training.) Try a local photographer. Many times they come to your home to take pics and if not,they will have a studio. Worth every penny and they can give you the disk of all your photos! Sears won't be different than JcPenney! Good Luck!
Go with an independent professional photographer or take them yourself. Those "studios" in the mall or at Babies R Us are not professional photographers and are a total rip off and not to mention a waste of time when not even one picture turns out (happened to me). Anyone can get a job at those places. However, a professional photographer actually understands lighting, how to work with a human subject, etc. We bought a very high quality camera and we just take the pictures ourselves. I have an eye for cropping and my computer has editing programs that can make the picture pop. Good luck and have fun!
My husband and I are pretty picky with photos, since photography is a hobby for both of us. We have been very impressed with Picture People, I know that they have a location in Main Place Mall, Santa Ana. I grew up going to professional studios and was extremely leery of the quality of mall studios but we have been converted! The staff is very good with little ones, they have awesome discounts & amazing photos to boot! Be sure to sign-up on their website for promo updates. Our last time in the bill was $300+ for tons of pics, frames & gifts for the grandparents and with all the coupons (they often accept more than one) and the freebies included with our membership we walked out paying ONLY $18! It was awesome and we love their work. The best part is the free sitting fee, if the kids don't cooperate or pics don't turn out as good as you would like you aren't out anything! Do make an appt. so you get in and aren't waiting around with little ones. Total time in & out with the photos in hand is usually 2-2.5 hrs.Hope this helps!
p.s. they do offer CDs with all your digital images.
i love kiddie kandids. my fav is at the brea babies r us. But they are getting a little pricy. I am always happy with their pictures. My sis in law has used sears and she likes them. She goes to the one at the brea mall.
I will NEVER use Sears again! I made an appointment for my 2 year old and we showed up a little early to make sure we got in on time..... Anyway, an HOUR later, I asked what was going on and they had FORGOTTEN us... by that time my son was very cranky and the pictures were terrible so I refused to purchase any and vowed never to return. Olan Mills has done a great job for me in the past. (sometimes they're in K-mart).
Good luck!