I use to go places where I had coupons for free sitting fees but now for the last year or so I take all my own pictures except for my children's first year pictures which we did have taken at Portrait Innovations in Lincoln,NE where there is no sitting fee and if you buy a large enough package you get a CD with your pictures - and you also get all your pictures in 20 minutes!
The only reason I do for my kids 1st year pictures is so we can have a family picture taken as well but otherwise I dont spend money on getting my kids' pictures professionally done since I have a nice digital camera and I can get candid shots (which I love more than sit & pose shots)!
I used always go to JCPenneys and they are good, but now i do alot myself. I used to work for Sears Portrait Studio for years and i have a hard time going in when i know what i want so i just do it myself. When i went in i like JCP cuz i could order sheets and get just what i want
I've always gone to JC Penney for my kids' pics (3 mo, 6 mo, 9 mo, 12 mo, 18 mo, 2 yr, every year thereafter). I've been very happy with the pics I've gotten there, and for $5 they will e-mail you a link to them. (They are low-resolution, so they don't turn out if you try to send them through Harold's or another photo developers.) I've always been pleased with them, and there are always coupons in the Sunday ad sheets, or they can be obtained at jcpportraits.com. I don't think I've ever paid over $25 for a photo session and my order together.
A lot of the parents I've worked with like the idea of paying one low price and getting the CD with all of their pictures on it. Then they can take them where they wish to print them, use them for christmas cards, and upload them online to share with family and friends.
I'm also willing to handle printing the photos as well, to save my customers the time of running to Wal-Mart or Harolds. There's a small fee associated with it, but for some parents it's worth not having to make that trip.
This is the approach I take. You pay for my time and a little extra to have some things Photoshoped and get a cd and a release. People say that is how they all make their money but I don't agree with that kind of price gouging!
http://imaginativeimagery.googlepages.com/
I personally prefer to have my pictures taken by someone who I can get the copyright release from. We have big families on both sides and I would rather pay for a copyright release and be able to print as many pics as I want for everyone at Harolds or Snapfish or whatever for a lower price than pay the high prices they charge for prints at studios and commercial places. I guess it seems to me that the sitting fee is the cheapest part of a lot of those places - its the prints they get you on...sneaky little devils :) I have a friend who is just getting started in photography and she does an amazing job for us and we get to do whatever we want with all the pics she takes!
Well I tried a photographer in Brookings and spent a lot more than I wanted to. The pictures turned out GREAT! However I am in an ongoing struggle to get them. You can read my post about it at: http://www.siouxfallsmoms.com/beyond_frustrated
However, I have heard that Defined Impressions does a great job! Their prices are great and their turn around is fast. My girlfriend uses them all the time.
Suzie O'Meara Hernes
Defined Impressions
Office: 605.339.4999
Anyway, I am thinking we will take yearly professional pictures of our children until they are in school. If I am impressed with the company’s work I am willing to spend more
AAAGGHH! This reminds me that I still have to get my daughter's 6 month pics taken. Unfortunately, she just turned 7 months! Maybe I'll just do 7 mos, 10 mos, 13 mos...just to buck the trend? I did get 3 month pics taken at Evan's portraits. Spendy, but it was a one-time gig. My friends have had good luck at Harold's so I think I will try that out.
I have a friend that does my pictures and then she just prints me the CD and gives me a copyright release. I like it so much better that way. Family can choose which pictures they like and what sizes and I can print that exact amount off and not have a ton left over and later on if I decide I want another one or a certain size, I can just go print it. Much much easier!
I found a photographer in Sioux Falls, that I LOVE!!! Her name is Jolanta, and her website, is www.JBremer.com She will let you buy a copyright free disk, and her photography is both indoor and outdoor. Her specialty is natural light. I know of 5 girls that have won photo contests/pageants with her photos. She is REALLY good--and a mother of 2-so she is great with children.
I also use Jolanta, she has been taking my daughter's picture since she was a newborn,she is 15months now. She is great with kids, very patient and works at your childs pace. Highly recommend her. Now Jolanta is working on a memory book of my daughter's first year..with all the pictures she has taken.
We use IMIJ out of Brandon. My daughter's Dance/Cheer Studio uses IMIJ also. Cheryl is great!
~*~ God only gives me what he KNOWS I can handle ~*~
After some discussions with Mommies, we have decided to offer a baby & maternity photography session at Elegant Mommy. It will be a session where you pay a flat fee for your session and receive a CD with your photos along with a copyright release. Photo retouching will also be available for an additional fee.
For more information or to find out how to sign up, check out our blog...http://www.elegantmommysiouxfalls.blogspot.com/
Shelly
www.Elegantmommy.com
Tastefully Simple Independent Consultant
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What does everyone prefer for photography for your little ones? Would you go to a studio where you pay for the sitting fee & prints? Would you go to a session where you get a disk with your pics and can make your own prints? How often do you have pics taken?
We have done both and I'm curious what everyone else does.