Photo as gift - best bet?

[trish_ks]

My BF and I want to give a photo of ourselves to our parents for a Christmas gift this year. We're really looking to find one good pose and just buy an 8x10 for us and a 5x7 for each set of parents. No useless wallets or anything...
Do you think it's better to go someplace like Walmart or the Picture People or to go to a real studio and likely pay more?

[sage]

Some of the nicest pictures I've seen (and they probably cost more too) have been when people have had a professional photographer shoot them. Most of the ones I saw that I thought were really cool were taken outside---so they had a really nice backdrop. The people in them seemed to be much more relaxed and natural looking. You got the impression that the photographer was working with them to get that perfect shot...

Just a thought.

[Linda in MO]

Since this is going to be a gift, I'd go to a real studio. I have pictures of my kids from Walmart and also a really good local studio and there's a big difference. You will definitely pay way more, but I think you'll be happier with the outcome. Just my 2 cents.
And I don't think wallets are useless. I think parents like to show them around, don't they?

[Robyn1007]

A high quality photographer will likely use much better quality processing materials than Wal-Mart. I've worked for both Wal-Mart Portrait Studios and Olan Mills and would never recommend someone go to Wal-Mart for portraits. The photographers are *usually* minimally paid workers with no real photography training. You might check around your area to find out if any churches have church directory shoots coming up as they may let you schedule an appointment. Feel free to PM me if you have more questions.

[leightx]

If you have a friend with a nice digital camera (an SLR would be best), you could always have them take one and have it printed at Costco or another photo lab (or at home if you have a nice photo printer). Most cameras have portrait settings that give a slightly blurred background. I haven't been to an actual photo lab in years - we just take our own pictures of the kids instead.

And I'd definitely consider having them done outside, around 4 PM or so (depending on when it gets dark around there). That's when we have the best light here in Texas. Then again, it's "fall" here, and the leaves are still pretty. If it's cold and yucky in Kansas already, you might be better off going to a studio.

[Gumbeaux]

Personally, I would get B&W's shot professionally. Just my .02.

*EDIT* The picture below is not me. I never looked that good.


http://www.sdphotography.com/portraits/images/ha099b.jpg

[Arete]

Gumbeaux, is that you and Mrs. Gumbeaux? You are VERY cute together!

[Gumbeaux]

Gumbeaux, is that you and Mrs. Gumbeaux? You are VERY cute together!

Oh, no! I snagged that pic off the 'net. I'm fat, aging, etc. etc. :(

[BeachBum]

If you go to a studio, I'd suggest Portrait Innovations. You don't get sucked into buying a million photos and they do take a million photos. Photos cost $15 per sheet, with discounts as you buy more. So you could get out of there for $30 I think. (You better check on that though)

I've taken my son there a few times, and there were always a few adults doing photos as well, so you wont feel like a dork. For that type of photo I've been happy with the pictures.

That said, we are much happier when we hired independent photographers to do photos outdoors etc. We've paid $200-$750 for these types of services.

HTH

[DanaSD]

professional photography studios always look a lot better but many of the ones that I've looked into recently have minimum orders at $500 and up. And their 8 x 10s are $25 and up. Also, many are booked up for Christmas - they started taking bookings a few months ago.

You can still get nice photos from the chains. The nice thing is there is no studio fee and you don't need to order anything if you don't like them. So try them first, and if you're not happy to another.

*check first what their sheets are. For example, if you want a 5 x 7 at Target you only get 1 per sheet along with a lot of useless stuff. At Picture People you can get a sheet with 2 5 x 7s.

Most chains have coupons - check the website and your weekly mailers.

[chazkp]

We get our pictures done at Sears Portrait Studio. They do a great job and have many backgrounds and poses. Plus, they will work with any ideas that you have.

There prices are reasonable also. You can buy packages or single sheets. I think it is $9-10 per sheet. They will take a lot of pictures so you will have plenty of options to choose from, and each sheet you buy can be a different pose.

They have been very professional everytime we have gone.