Getting pictures done professionally

coasterqueen wrote: Does everyone here take their kids somewhere to get their photos done or is there anyone that just does them at home??????

We've always taken Kylie somewhere but it's always been a nightmare! LITERALLY! And her pics never turn out how I'd like them too.

I have her scheduled for her 2 yr pics next weekend and I will probably still take her but I'm thinking if it doesn't work out this time that I'm just going to go buy some fabric, make my own backdrop and do them at home. That's what Dh suggested me do and he thinks it will be cheaper too, but that's a man for ya!

Anyone just do them at home and do you have any advice?

amynicole21 replied: There are photographers who will come to your house to do it... not sure if they would be seriously expensive, but I don't think it would be that bad...

Kaitlin'smom replied: We go to JcPenney.....love them, I have had great experiences, I do perfer one store over the other now. I also joined the club, made sence for me. In fact I am picking up some new ones today, once I get them scanned I will post them. Usually they are not expensive, this time I did splure but I usualy stick to the coupons I get for packages for 7.99 or sheets for 3.99 each with free 8x10. I hope it goes well for you.

Oh the one thing I do fine doing it by myself does not work that well, if I have someone with me she knows and loves she will do soooo much better. I will have to post a comaprison of with just me and with family (not DH, he can be inpatient) with me.

coasterqueen replied: I know having someone come to your house to professionally do it is EXPENSIVE, lol, and I tried that one with DH before and he said no way.

Di, we do go to JCPenny, but Kylie just does not like to get her picture taken in those places. She gets scared and screams the entire time. She's done this from the first time we've taken her and still does, or I should say did at her 18 month one.

amynicole21 replied: Is there a college around you? You might be able to contact the photography department to see if a student would be willing to take on the job for cheap in order to have something for their portfolio.

Boys r us replied: We go to Olan Mills Portrait studios. Brae always does really well, they blow bubbles and make him laugh!

I've tried to take some at home, but they don't come out all that great. I used to take some of Tanner at home but then I left my good camera at a stadium a couple of years ago..and haven't replaced it..so obviously the digi cam just doesn't cut it for taking professional type pics!

Kaitlin'smom replied:
humm I have a couple JcPennys to choose form and she deffinalty does better at one than the other.

I used to work for Olan Mills years ago, back when they were totaly way to expensive, but thay are better now, just have to watch some of the photographers are not trianed really well, if you do check them out ask how long the photographer has been there.

My only other suggestin is to find some coupons and try some different places and see what happens, also what time of the day do you go...that also can make a big difference.

Sorry I am just throwing ideas out form my experiences and background

Heather replied: I do most of my pictures at home. We got to JC Penney when we do go out to get them done. WE just got them done last week and I wasn't happy at all. My normal girl wasn't there...the girl that did it was really bad. She just didn't try at all. She just went through the motions of taking the picture. It was bad....So I am going to be doing the fabric thing from now on....

I wish we lived close, I would take them for you

MommyToAshley replied: I like Picture People, mainly because I can take the pictures home that same day. I usually take DH with me, it's great to have him there to help out.

But, if Kylie doesn't do well in those situations, then I think doing your own is a great idea. You'll have to share them with us if you do.

coasterqueen replied:
HA! I wished we lived close too because I LOVE your work!!!!! Darn! Thanks for the offer though .

coasterqueen replied: Di, we only have one JcPenny around here . The next closest one is like 45 minutes away. Kylie would be a mess before we got there, lol. I've tried different people there, different times of the day, etc, etc, etc. NOTHING works. I think it's the camera moving up and down and the dark room. Even if I take her out of the room while they are moving the camera and screen she freaks out.

I did take her to Meijers a while back and she did GREAT there because their cameras didn't move like that, but their picture paper quality is HORRIBLE!!! And I do mean HORRIBLE. I was so excited to get great poses of her there but when I got the pictures they were blurry and just plain horrible.

There used to be an actual Olan Mills studio around here. That's where my parents always took us as kids, but now the only Olan Mills around here is in Kmart and I think their picture quality is much like Meijers as far as the ones I've seen from my SIL.

My other SIL gets hers done by a professional photographer but she pays like $500 every time she gets them done. Nope, Dh said no, lol. $500 is better off in her college fund, which I agree.

We do not have a Picture People around here either. The closet one is 2.5 hours away Stinks I know. I should schedule an appointment with one when we go down south but it's such a pain when you live out of town and are staying with someone to have to do that, kwim?

Well, I'm still going to give JCP a try again and if it doesn't work we'll just try taking our own. I'm confident they'd turn out like poo though. DH thinks they won't but I think he's just trying to be a dork.

Oh well we'll see how it all goes, lol.

Kaitlin'smom replied: awww I am sorry you have had such horrible experiences, I hope she supriese you and you get some great poses, and you just wont know which to choose from. I would go with you if I lived closer, sad thing some of the photographers, dont really care or are terribly uncomfortable photographing kids so they seem not to put effort into it. I wish I could help more

My2Beauties replied: I had Hanna's last set of pics done at JC Penney's and while the quality of the pics are great I wasn't as satisfied with them because when I put her in her bikini I asked for the beach scene that is on their website with the ocean backdrop, the pail, the booey, the sand looking carpet, the umbrella, beach towel, the whole kit and kaboodle, so when I get in there after telling the photographer what I wanted as far as I want the beach scene because I brought her bikini, I got a seashell in one picture, a beach club floatie thing in another and a booey holder thingy (whatever it is in another) she didn't do the whole scene. She seemed really rushed and didn't work with her, she had me hold the beach club thing and the thing she stood up against and in both of those pictures you can see my hands! I mean the pictures are good and the quality is good but I hate feeling rushed!

Edited to say: I've always had her pics done there and the past two times I've felt rushed but they always turn out pretty good! I've tried other places and didn't like them at all! So, I guess I will stick with them but next time let them know that I want them to take their time and offer more backdrops!

coasterqueen replied: I always feel rushed too, lol. But for what it's worth I LOVE that backdrop they used for her beach scenes!!!! I wish they would have done that for Kylie's instead of the actual beach scene they did. SERIOUSLY, your's looks better in my opinion .