I was recently interviewed for an article regarding bargain shopping and moms with blogs. The website it is for is called momseasychair.com. They are a website for moms that "nurtures the female identity while celebrating parenting . . ." Well anyway, here is the link to the article.
Moms Easy Chair - Article with my name in it!
So take the time to stop by and read it. And if you have any other topics you would specifically like to see covered let me know.
Upcoming plans are for . . . personal shapshot printing, consignment sales, summer camps, bible schools, etc. . . .
Ginny
Monday, January 29, 2007
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
A quick review of picture places
As a busy mom of three kids and one who did the baby plans for them all. And as the serious shopper that I am I tried out LOTS of places.
First of all let me say as the budget permits, professional portraits are totally worth it in my opinion. You will be more likely to get a customized session geared towards exactly what you like and want on your schedule and timetable. Even if you are only buying them for yourself and let your family order what they want too. And I do give the prints as gifts to family sometimes too. Remember you will not get the same experience at the chains that you do from a professional photographer operating independently. At these places you are more likely to get a standard set of poses and shots that are done each time you visit with little to no variation.
For the general gratuitous picture to hand to Great-Aunt Sally I am a totally cool with the trip to the "chain" photography studio. Just keep in mind that you are more likely to get the standard posing and sometimes super cheesy backdrops and props. So here are my tips on how to do better at these places and which ones to go to.
General Tips for Chain Studios
My Top Rating
Portrait Innovations
They are a nationwide chain but have arguably the best deal. For $9.95 with no sitting fee you get a package of 1 -10x13, 2 - 8x10's, 4 - 5x7's, 4 - 3x5's, and 32 wallets. This is from your favorite pose. And there are restrictions on how often you can use the coupon.
Good variety of backgrounds, traditional props, and seasonal stuff too.
JC Penney
Another chain, in almost every shopping mall around. I have had the best experience with their selection of props and backgrounds. There are always coupons floating around and about half of them have a free sitting fee attached. I generally get the package versus buying sheets and you choose your favorite image from the session for the package. Usually the package runs from $7.99 - $9.99
Target
They get the same rating as Penney's since they are owned by the same company and the prints come out about the same. The coupons for Target are generally better and ALWAYS seem to include a free sitting fee. They have most of the same backgrounds and props as Penney's but often have some different and better ones. Their package deal works the same way, it is from your favorite pose from the session.
2 Star Rating
Sears
Sears received its rating because when I was a member there they had the more cheesy looking props and backgrounds and their package "USED" to be (i am not totally sure if it has changed, so please correct me if i am wrong) from the first accepted pose taken. And yes that says accepted so if this is still the case if you don't like the first picture ask them to take another until you see one that you like. The problem with this policy is generally speaking the first pose is a full body pose. Which might be okay from time to time but chances are you are going to prefer the close-up head shot type picture or at least a picture with a little bit more interest. This is how they upsell the package buyer to order additional sheets at full price. Their package runs about $9.99 and they appear to have some free sitting specials as well.
Picture People
Admittedly they have some really cute props and I love the seamless backgrounds but they are way overpriced for what they are. I would NOT go there without a coupon for something. The perks here are your pictures are printed and ready to take home about an hour after the session. But from my experience that is the only perk. Their coupons range but generally just involve a free 8x10 from your session or some sort of small incentive purchase. One other tip here, don't dwell on the fact that what you don't get goes in the trash. You have NO need for all the pictures and poses in your house. And often you can convince them to give you 2 5x7's instead of the 8x10 if you ask.
Least Favorite
Walmart
There is just something about the fact that the package is SOOO cheap that makes me question it. Their coupons ranges in price seasonally, meaning around holidays they are more and when they are slower they are less. Right now the local coupon on the website is $5.88 for the package. There are no session fees here either. They also "Used" to have the rule of the first accepted pose. This may have changed, but I will not go back to find out. Of all the locations, Walmart has the props and backgrounds I like the LEAST. I just don't like them. I don't like the paper quality of the pictures here. I just don't like them. For a couple dollars more I would rather go to Target.
Kiddie Kandids
In case you thought I was going to leave Wal-mart all alone here, I'm not. Kiddie Kandids is located inside Babies R Us. They have a great thing going with all the new mommies shopping and they will come up and ask "if they can practice on your baby" and you will get a free 8x10. They don't have sitting fees either, their prices are less than Picture People, but they are more like a cross between Picture People and Wal-mart. The pictures are printed while you are waiting, but not at a sacrifice. The paper quality is about like it would be if you printed pictures at home on photo paper. It is not heavy paper nor does it feel worth what it costs. They usually have coupons and specials running as well.
Picture-Obsessed Mommy
Ginny
(*Coming next the best places to get your shapshots printed!)
First of all let me say as the budget permits, professional portraits are totally worth it in my opinion. You will be more likely to get a customized session geared towards exactly what you like and want on your schedule and timetable. Even if you are only buying them for yourself and let your family order what they want too. And I do give the prints as gifts to family sometimes too. Remember you will not get the same experience at the chains that you do from a professional photographer operating independently. At these places you are more likely to get a standard set of poses and shots that are done each time you visit with little to no variation.
For the general gratuitous picture to hand to Great-Aunt Sally I am a totally cool with the trip to the "chain" photography studio. Just keep in mind that you are more likely to get the standard posing and sometimes super cheesy backdrops and props. So here are my tips on how to do better at these places and which ones to go to.
General Tips for Chain Studios
- If you want just the package, stick to your guns. Don't get sucked into purchasing additional things you don't need. It will increase your bottom line and likely be regretted later. To help with this I don't like most props. I am okay with white benches, or chairs, but keep the teddy bear that does not belong to me out of it. When my kids ask in 10 years where the bear is I don't want to have to say, it's not your bear they had it at the place. I would prefer things like that to belong to my kids and have meaning. So I avoid props until I see a pose I can deal with for my package and then let them use props and backgrounds I don't like to finish the session.
- Generally they have to take 4-6 shots at least to show you at the end to select from. I was always a big fan of basic - black or white as this did not detract from my children and they were what I wanted to see in the picture. I always took mine in pretty simple clothing too. Tell them upfront what you want and if they say they have to do other things tell them you won't be buying the picture that has your child at the fake beach or with the pretend Santa behind them. Generally they will concede and do what you ask. I do the same thing when it comes to props. This aggravates them too since they have no idea how to change the pose without adding a fake tree.
- The photographer is a total crap shoot. Just about anyone could get a job at these places. That is not to say that there are not some good people working at the studios but you could end up with joe blow high-schooler looking for a summer job that has no real ability with children and therefore can't manage to get your child's attention. This will be a direct influence on the likelihood of getting any pictures that you like. And yes I have left a session at Penney's and not even bought the package because the "photographer" could not get my child to do anything useful. (and it was not my baby's fault)
- Always book a session for right when they open either in the morning or right after lunch. These places are notorious for running behind. If you book any later you could end up sitting there for 30 minutes or more just waiting for your turn and that will not be good for your pictures in the end since your children will be SUPER tired of waiting before they even have to have their pictures taken.
- Never go to any of these place without a coupon or an in store special running. There is always one and you should never pay full price for this.
- When you go to pick up your pictures and in the envelope for you to consider are all these extras don't buy them unless you really need them. Photo bookmarks may sound great in theory but after you get them home and forget where you put them they might not be worth the $10 you spent on them. Don't get them just because they are there. They are trying to up sell you again.
- Remember everyone's tastes and styles are different and you may have had a great experience at one of these places. I have at some and not at others and yours could be totally opposite, but the principles are true. Just be forewarned that things could not go like you want next time.
My Top Rating
Portrait Innovations
They are a nationwide chain but have arguably the best deal. For $9.95 with no sitting fee you get a package of 1 -10x13, 2 - 8x10's, 4 - 5x7's, 4 - 3x5's, and 32 wallets. This is from your favorite pose. And there are restrictions on how often you can use the coupon.
Good variety of backgrounds, traditional props, and seasonal stuff too.
JC Penney
Another chain, in almost every shopping mall around. I have had the best experience with their selection of props and backgrounds. There are always coupons floating around and about half of them have a free sitting fee attached. I generally get the package versus buying sheets and you choose your favorite image from the session for the package. Usually the package runs from $7.99 - $9.99
Target
They get the same rating as Penney's since they are owned by the same company and the prints come out about the same. The coupons for Target are generally better and ALWAYS seem to include a free sitting fee. They have most of the same backgrounds and props as Penney's but often have some different and better ones. Their package deal works the same way, it is from your favorite pose from the session.
2 Star Rating
Sears
Sears received its rating because when I was a member there they had the more cheesy looking props and backgrounds and their package "USED" to be (i am not totally sure if it has changed, so please correct me if i am wrong) from the first accepted pose taken. And yes that says accepted so if this is still the case if you don't like the first picture ask them to take another until you see one that you like. The problem with this policy is generally speaking the first pose is a full body pose. Which might be okay from time to time but chances are you are going to prefer the close-up head shot type picture or at least a picture with a little bit more interest. This is how they upsell the package buyer to order additional sheets at full price. Their package runs about $9.99 and they appear to have some free sitting specials as well.
Picture People
Admittedly they have some really cute props and I love the seamless backgrounds but they are way overpriced for what they are. I would NOT go there without a coupon for something. The perks here are your pictures are printed and ready to take home about an hour after the session. But from my experience that is the only perk. Their coupons range but generally just involve a free 8x10 from your session or some sort of small incentive purchase. One other tip here, don't dwell on the fact that what you don't get goes in the trash. You have NO need for all the pictures and poses in your house. And often you can convince them to give you 2 5x7's instead of the 8x10 if you ask.
Least Favorite
Walmart
There is just something about the fact that the package is SOOO cheap that makes me question it. Their coupons ranges in price seasonally, meaning around holidays they are more and when they are slower they are less. Right now the local coupon on the website is $5.88 for the package. There are no session fees here either. They also "Used" to have the rule of the first accepted pose. This may have changed, but I will not go back to find out. Of all the locations, Walmart has the props and backgrounds I like the LEAST. I just don't like them. I don't like the paper quality of the pictures here. I just don't like them. For a couple dollars more I would rather go to Target.
Kiddie Kandids
In case you thought I was going to leave Wal-mart all alone here, I'm not. Kiddie Kandids is located inside Babies R Us. They have a great thing going with all the new mommies shopping and they will come up and ask "if they can practice on your baby" and you will get a free 8x10. They don't have sitting fees either, their prices are less than Picture People, but they are more like a cross between Picture People and Wal-mart. The pictures are printed while you are waiting, but not at a sacrifice. The paper quality is about like it would be if you printed pictures at home on photo paper. It is not heavy paper nor does it feel worth what it costs. They usually have coupons and specials running as well.
Picture-Obsessed Mommy
Ginny
(*Coming next the best places to get your shapshots printed!)
Thursday, January 04, 2007
Happy new year!
Hey! Hope you all had a great and happy holidays. (without major incendence of course) I am finally catching my breath after all the craziness of the season and will soon be posting all the stuff that i find coming my way to share with you!
There are all sorts of great things from sales, to camps, and more that happen in the spring. So keep an eye out.
Ginny
There are all sorts of great things from sales, to camps, and more that happen in the spring. So keep an eye out.
Ginny
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