Have you used The Picture People for photos?

[Tink561]

Did you like them?

I have an appt. for my kids tomorrow and I'm looking for opinions.

Do you get (or can you buy) a cd with the photos in addition to the pictures?

thanks!

 

[Stephres]

The one that I used the quality was not good. When I complained they offered to redo them for free, telling me that was the "bad camera." I don't know why they use the bad camera but I was irritated and never went back. I didn't get a cd with my prints, but this was about 4 years ago.

 

[coolbeans]

we used them at Christmas last year and have an appt in 3 weeks for family pics. I like them a lot, they are 1 hour photos, they take lots of shots, different poses and props. You can view your pics online, email them and order reprints from their website. (smilemakers is their reprint site, I think.)
You buy what you want at the time and can do more later. The one we went to had great quality, they are a little expensive but I still like them.

oh, they usually have coupons on their website and if you sign up they email you coupons too. we have one for a free 10x13 or 8x10 and 15% off entire purchase..

 

[Disney Pal]

We were just there last week and we spent a crazy amount of money because they came out great! I've never heard of a CD of your pictures
there. Our pictures just came out excellent. We've had great success.
GOOD LUCK!

 

[In Luv with Disney]

Approx how much does it cost to go to Picture People? I was under the impression it was very expensive. But I'm thinking that after my horrible experience at JC Penney yesterday, I might have to reconsider.

 

[coolbeans]

The sitting is free (like I said, lots of poses and props to choose from) I think the sheets were like $15 or $18, but they take great pics. I want to get a trilogy (I think that's what it's called) a pic of all of us in the middle and DD on one side and DS on the other side (3 pics in one frame) or I think they may have one with more holes for family in the middle, individual's of the kids and me and DD, DH and DS or vice versa in opposite frames too.

The hardest part of this is what to wear???????????????????

any suggestions??

 

[alloyd1170]

I got a membership a year ago and it has paid for itself with just 4 sittings. Also, check magazines, newspapers, etc because I am always finding coupons for free prints. You buy what you want-whether it be a sheet or package. I walked out of there one time with a bunch of sheets, & a pack of kids books and spent about $15 thanks to the membership and coupons.

I will say that if you want those cutesy backgrounds, or lots of prop options, dont bother with them. You can see what they have to offer on their website. They are pretty plain and simple. For the backgrounds, etc go to Sears or JC Penny type places. I used to use Walmart until they claimed the film was bad. I had to take my son back in for a reshoot and wait several more weeks for the prints to come back, and they werent as good. PP is a one hour deal which is great.

alison

 

[cheerbop]

We have had both good and bad experiences and photos from them.
It really isn't enough to say or ask if they are good. It totally depends on the one/studio YOU will be using and WHICH photographer. We have had both good and bad for both from the Picture People. I feel after being to many different studios that their quality is average. They DO have some cute props, though!!
They are more expensive than most normal studios in stores, etc, but less expensive than professional photography studios.

We frequent a JCPenney Studio. There is 1 and only 1 photographer that we will use there and she is fabulous! However, the JCP only 10 miles away from the one we go to is awful. Like I said, it totally depends on the studio and the photographer.

At JCP we never pay sitting fees, always receive a free 8x10 and only pay 3.99 a sheet, with another 10% + off if we buy more than $60. We take so many pictures and almost always have 2 outfits to take pics in. We aveage about 12-15 shots/poses every session. And they do send "smiles by wire", where they email the pics to you and you can save them on disc yourself and email to others.

With 3 kids, I have been to alot of places...Target, Walmart, Sears, Olan Mills, The Picture People, Kiddie Kandids, 3 different Proffessional studios around here and JCP.

It is all personal preference and hit or miss till you find the right one. The lady we see at JCP has people that drive from a few hours away to see her becasue she is that good.

I wish you luck! Let us know how it goes!!!

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

We cant' stand the PP, we do like the 1 hr thing,but it's not necessary for us. No biggie. The quality is the same at JCP and we pay soo much less

 

[justwinnie]

We really like the Picture People and have used them for 3+ years, since my daughter was born. We belong to the club and get her pictures taken 3Xs a year. The photogs we've had have all been good at making her smile and laugh. They're very patient and we never feel rushed, no matter how busy they are.

I think they're all converting to digital now, but they used to be one of the few film places. We've had one digital sitting and they take a TON of pictures. It was so difficult to narrow it down. I think there were over 40 shots to choose from.

They have props year round and they usually change from year to year. I normally forgo the props b/c the pictures never seem to turn out right.

I've tried Target, Sears, and JCP. Although they are all lower priced, I haven't had as good quality and experience with either of them.

 

[emma'smom]

We haven't had much luck lateley with the PP....most of the time we wait an hour to look at bad pictures. I think we're switching to Kidde Candids...

 

[belle&beast]

I loved them when DD was a baby, but lately the quality and turnover of photographers has really made it go downhill. I have only been there once since they went digital, but they had a hard time using the new equipment. I think it is more important to have a good photgrapher than anything, and around here it seems there are new people all the time and I can take better pics of my kids. But be sure to check out the website because there is usually a coupon to be printed.

 

[we're all mad here]

Well, they are closing all the stores around here, NE Ohio. I also heard they are filing bankruptsy(sp?) in the next couple weeks. Who knows though?

 

[tammy1210]

One time they were great the next time horrible - and, I do think they're a bit pricey - we actually went to Portrait Innovations last week - if there's one nearby check it out - much cheaper, and still the one-hour processing. They take many more shots, though!

 

[fishie]

We like the Picture People near us. I do think, generally speaking, that you are always at the mercy of the photographer. Some are just not good with kids. But we've always had *much* better luck at PP than at Penney's, Sears, or other places like that. PP can be pricey, but I love the white background. My girls have very fair skin and I never let the photographer pull down the black background (or any of the colored ones, in fact!), because it seems to make my kids "glow". I've heard of Portrait Innovations, but don't think there's one near us.

 

[Mommytink]

I have had horrible experiences with PP. We ordered a large print that had to be sent to us. It was a Christmas gift and it came the day before x-mas (well after promised) and it was the wrong family! Their pictures usually come out poorly too!

I love Kiddie Kandids

 

[Angelgirl13202]

I would say to the above poster who had problems with the christmas gift go as soon as the christmas props come out---- as it gets closer to christmas it gets swamped and theres more mistakes made, I used to work for a pp and it depended on the photographer, how good a picture you got. I took my mom and brothers and sisters and the photographer scared the babies so our pictures the kids are crying... but later in the week I brought my aunt and cousin and our dog (they used to do pets im not sure if they still do this was several years ago) and we had awsome pictures!

 

[caitty13]

PP is the only place I have taken my son. The only thing I don't like is he is 2 and when they place him up front for the world to see him he would rather play. Now that they have gone digital in my area I feel the selection is much better..as far a a CD I know know but you can view them on there website...

 

[bumbershoot]

I've used them (once, a free sitting and 8x10), JC Penney, and Sears. They all have good points.

The thing with PP, though, is they are HARDcore about the upsell. I mean, they came out with TONS of prints in different sizes, sepia, they had one framed, it was insane. I came in for, and left with, my one free 8x10, but it was very VERY difficult to do so. However, since they are also wildly expensive, my wallet made it easy to leave without purchasing anything, even though my heart (and superstition about destroying photographs) would have robbed a bank at that moment to get all those pictures.

 

[jessica52877]

We have had good experiences for the most part with the PP. My main complaint is they don't always listen to what I want and I have to repeat myself to make sure it gets done, usually involving what prop I want (only one) and background choices, usually only white. With the new digital they turn out better, able to crop and many more taken. I don't spend alot because it is outrageous. I have done their club I think 3x and usually don't spend over $20. This doesn't send me home with many pictures, but I only need them for us so no big deal.