Sear's Portraits for kids - anyone go there?

[Grumpy's Gal]

Were you happy? How much was the sitting fee?

 

[scanmom]

but we used sears when my DS was about 4 mos. old. (he is 11 yrs. now). I don't remember the cost, but the pics are still on my wall, and they are great.

 

[ckmommy]

I went there for my DS's 4 month baby pictures. I had previously gone to The Picture People for all of my others kids photos. Because it was a long drive to The Picture People, I choose to try Sears. I bought the "Smilesaver" option, which allows free sitting fees for 2 years. Well, I HATED the way the photos were taken. The person taking our pictures did not spend any time with us. She took 3 of the same pose of all the kids together, and 2 of the same pose of the baby alone. It was VERY rushed. The pictures were able to veiw right away and were printed on the spot. I had a bought 4 5x7's, 1 8x10, and a handful of wallet and spent $130. I was very disappointed. The Picture People usually have a coupon for a free sitting and a free 8x10. If their is a Picture People in your town, I would go with them instead.

 

[Grumpy's Gal]

no picture people in my town. ;-(

 

[missypie]

We stopped going YEARS ago. It was always a terrible experience. The folks who work there aren't photographers. They are people who have been trained to work the video/camera machine. They schedule their appontments too tightly. We'd take three kids in and they would only give us one time slot - not three - even though we'd ask. NEVER AGAIN!

 

[rickdeni]

My daugher-in-law always has the grandchildren's pictures taken at Sears. She is usually pleased with them. On one or two occasions she was not as happy with the photographer but she also admits the kids were not at their best that day either.

 

[pixelpixie]

IMHO - Sears Portrait Studio is a joke. Maybe there are some cities where Sears actually employs people who knows how to focus a camera, takes time with the picture subject, and has enough experience to get at least a few good shots. But I haven't had good experiences with them - in Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX or Columbia, SC. And I know a lot of people really like the Picture People and we do have a year membership with them but I wasn't really all that impressed with them either (although they are definetly better than Sears). When getting budget portraits made, my best experiences have been at Wal-Mart! I know that sounds crazy, but when DD was a baby-3.5 years this is where we took her and we got some GREAT portraits. I always go in person to make the appointment and check out what backgrounds they have available (sometimes the backgrounds can be a little cheesey ). But if you are on a budget, I think this is the place to go.

 

[planning06]

I did it twice and I never will do it again. Both times they messed things up in my order. They don't really do much to work with your children.

The last time was the worst. I brought my 2 month old daughter in and had a pic taken of her laying on her tummy. The photographer took the picture portrait which left a lot of room at the top and her head and feet almost at the edges of the picture. They failed to tell me when I ordered the picture that part of her head would be cropped off for the smaller sizes. I was pissed when I saw what happened. They didn't even apologize. They just said the photographer should have told me it could happen. If she just would have taken it landscaped there would not have been any problem. In my area, I think they hire people with little to no photographic experience or skills. They are just warm (and not very enthusiastic) bodies to do a job.

Another picture that I ordered I got in a large size and bought a frame. When I put the picture in the frame you saw a large white strip along the bottom.

I recently just spent quite a bit of money to get a professional (real one) to take pictures of my family. The pictures were so awesome it was really difficult to pick the ones we would buy. I may not get as many pictures taken, but they will be quality pictures.

 

[jonestavern]

We used Sears for many years w/o a problem. You are not obligated to purchase the pics, just be prepared for the sales pitch & the 'up sell' --and that can be hard to resist 'cuz they are our little darlin's
Yes, some of the 'photogs' have no idea what they're doing. Also, at our branch it was 1st come 1st served, no appointments which can be a pain in the wazoo for the kids. Around here JC Penney, Target & Wal-Mart also do photos

the absolute best is to go to a good local photographer--yes it will cost more. Ask around yr town for recommendations. Then ask to see their portfolio of child pics, they should be proud to show you. The best photos of DS & DNieces were taken locally--no comparison. And it didn't cost too much more than Sears basic & it cost the same as Sears when I fell for the Sears 'up sell'!

Jean

 

[christinadei]

I used to and always hated them. I had the smile savers otherwise I wouldn't have went back as much as I did the first few years. There was always a long wait, even when I had an appointment. The pictures were usually good, I liked them, until I started going to JC Penny's. I always get coupons in parents and child magazines for 8.99 package with no sitting fees and a free 8x10. their pictures are so good! I'll never go to anyone else. I love them, they do the best and you can't beat $9 for a package. They also have coupons for 3.99 a sheet if you don't want a package of one pose. Also, most times when they send your pictures back, they send 3 sheets of different poses, usually one is a specialty picture, black and white or soemthing, for $5 a sheet. They are always my other fav's so instead of adding them to the package at the begining for 12.99 a sheet, I wait and see what they send me back, and only once they didn't. It's not guaranteed, but they pictures are always so cute when they do. So I end up spending less than $35 for the package of my favorite pose and then a few more poses too.

 

[Gillian]

We have a sears studio here that is not part of a sears store. I prefer going there over the one at the mall. It's usually quieter and I feel we get better service. There are some people who are better with the kids and the cameras than others.

I avoid going there at holiday times because they are crowded, rushed and often hire temporary help that is newly trained.

I've been happy with them, but I like taking my own pictures best. I can use my digital camera on its multi shot setting and take a bunch in a row. I use our own toys for props. I buy fabric and pin it up over our picture window to use as a background. It's fun and if the kids are grumpy I just wait for another time.

I would like to go to a professional sometime in the future, and maybe have shots taken at the sculpture garden where we got married.

 

[minmate]

I used to work at JC Penney Portrait Studio, back in my college days. Now, while I had a photography background -- most employees did not. And yes, they always booked the appointments too close together. I'd always look ahead on the nights I was scheduled and strategically schedule "phantom" appts. -- made up people that obviously wouldn't show up, therefore, giving me more time with a larger group. Maybe not in the best interest of the company, but you know what... my pics always had great sales and isn't that the point? Anyway, mostly what you will pay for at a "chain" like Sears, Target, JCPenney, etc. -- is the background and lighting. The rest is a gamble. The posing, the way the kids look, etc, is really variable depending on who takes your pics. Picture people has always done great shots of my friends two children, but I've had mixed results from even them. Always long waiting time which is challenging with four kids in a too crowded space filled with breakable frames and such within their reach... they have always been rushed with us too and my favorite photos from them are ones I've insisted on posing myself. I also don't like having to hang around the mall for an hour to get my pics back... not that waiting three weeks is super either.
We always do a family portrait in the fall (six of us). I had been frequenting Target with the kids lately because they have no sitting fees and you can choose any of the poses they take as your "package" pose if go with that particular coupon. They are also cheaper than the other places around here. Well, we went there for our family photo this year and it truly stunk! She didn't get a single good picture.

So the moral to the story is that you never know what you'll get at a place like this... by "this" I mean, Target, Sears, JCPenney, Wal-Mart, etc. If you frequent them and find a good person, then you can try to go on their shift but other than that, it is a gamble. Just know though, that you do NOT have to buy anything and you can probably even demand a refund on your sitting fee (maybe you'll only get credit though for a return visit)... but don't settle for pics you don't like. You can always have them re-done. I know it's a monumental pain, but that's what I did last fall. I walked right out of Target and wrote down the name of the girl who took our pics and I refuse to go there when she's working.

Anyway, with the Kodak machines nowadays, if you ever take a great pic of your child, it's easy to make reprints of them.

I echo the sentiment that using a local photographer will produce the best results, but if you don't have the luxury of spending that kind of money -- as they are usually more pricey... you'll have to try the other places. They aren't horrible, you just never know what you're going to get and if you go with that in mind, you'll be best prepared. Good Luck!

 

[christinadei]

Oh yeah, that was the other reason I prefer Penney's to Sears. They let you choose your favorite pose as the package, not the first one like sears. That's great to be able to pick your favorite one, because there's usually always at least one good one! For me usually about 3 that I just really want. The first time I went, I later regretted the pose i picked, i wished I'd gotten another one, and I was so happy when I went back and they had 3 sheets of the one I'd wanted for $15.

 

[becky7953]

Wow, I thought I was the only one that had bad experience with Sears. I went to get my 1 month old and 2 year olds pics taken: * had to wait 50 minutes after my scheduled appointment. I told them to just take the package pic and that was it. By then my 1 month old was crabby. * When I went to pick them up they lost the pictures.
Then I went to JCPenney, they were great! Lots of neat backgrounds and the photographers were always going the extra mile to get a good smile. Would recommend them.
Since I have moved out into the country (no malls near by), I tried Walmart portrait studio. They have extremely cheap packages with no sitting fee. Most of the pics I have gotten have been good. 1 time the pics were a little blurry, but for the cost (4 or 5 dollars) it didn't matter to me. I just went back and did it again.

 

[ntburns22]

I just had my DS's pics done at sears and they were great. Now you do not have to use the first pose for your package. They will let you pick which one you want. Personally for the cost I did not like Picture People. I guess you just need to try the ones out in your area and find out which one works best for you.

 

[WDWorBUST]

I have been most satisfied with JC Penney's Portrait Studio. Sears has done Sammi's pics twice - once I had her 1st b-day pics made at both places and just bought the package from Sears. The photographer at Sears that time was great and the pics were good. Then I took her to Sears for Valentine's Day and they were okay. I used Wal-mart for her 1 and 2 month shots because she was so little and we were having a flu epidemic that I wanted to stay in town. I was happy with the photos but Wal-Mart is very expensive for anything outside the package. Then I took her to Wal-Mart for her 18 month shots and they had a camera malfunction and all the pictures were orange - HELLO!! she is only 18 months old once It was fine - we went back the next day (3 weeks after the first apt) and had them redone and they turned out great!! Again though VERY expensive outside the package. JC Penney I've had problems with - but mostly only around Christmas. It drove me crazy...but overall I like their photos and I can buy them for $3.99 a sheet and get different poses....for what I want most the time that's great. So OVERALL - they all have their downside - and you always take a chance on whether you get a good photographer or not....but I personally like Penney's best.

 

[ZanneMarie]

I have photos taken at Sears for years. As has been stated a big problem can be if you get an inexperieinced photographer (or temporary one at the holidays). I have learned the names of some of the good ones and always request them. In the begining when I did not know who was good Ii would ask for the manager or ask how long someone had been there. I cant say I never had any problems -I was dissatisfied with a holiday picture once becasue of the cropping -cut part of my 3 month olds head out of the picture but I had a photographer i did not care for because the one I wanted had called in sick. But I also do not heisitate to 'not approve' the picture if I do not like even a tiny bit. They will try to get you to accept so-so pictures so they can move on and take the rest but if there is even one detail I don't like I ask them to take another. I always prewarn them in a very friendly way that I will be very picky and then they know what they are dealing with (of course some of them recognize me too, now!) The only way you will know about your particular studio is to try it out! Good Luck and I hope that you have a good experience wherever you end up.

 

[ArielsMommy]

We have used Sears Portrait Studio several times since DD was born. However, they changed their system last Oct and you can no longer see the pics as they take them. And they will only take 5 shots. This was a real problem for us because we always go in early to mid Nov to get pics done for our Christmas cards and for our DD who's b-day is in early Dec. Plus, we go with DH's sister and her family to make sure that we have pics of DD and Dnephew for gifts for DH's parents for Christmas. So, when you go with 2 families and you want several poses, they won't do that anymore. Plus, you have no idea what the pics look like until you sit down to tell them how many you want of each pose. DSIL was very disappointed with the way Dnephew's pics came out and you can't just go back in and have another shot taken because the photographer has already moved on. I hope this makes sense. We will probably try our WalMart this year and see what they can do.

 

[amarberry]

Sears Portrait Studios are actually run by a company called CPI, not Sears. The portrait studio is a ''licensed business" of Sears (i.e.: a third party who has acquired the right to use the Sears name for their business...same thing goes for the Sears optical, dentist, floral shop, hearing center, etc.).

I used to work at Sears corporate, so I qualified for a very nice Sears employee package (no sitting fee and 20 sheets for $50). The studios are really hit or miss depending on how creative and talented the photographer is. We had a below average sitting the first time we took our DD for pictures. We hated all of the pictures except one (which we loved). It was around Christmas time (busy) and the photographer chose a horrible background and didn't do any original poses or use any props.

The second time I went to a different location and had a fabulous photographer. Every picture was great and she did a great job getting my DD to smile.

The most recent time was a disaster. I went to a different location, again. I had an appointment scheduled for 4pm. There was only one CPI employee working there that afternoon. I was told when I checked in that it would be 5-10 minutes. An hour later, they finally got around to me and the employee was so frustrated (and my 1 year old DD was so cranky) that I knew the pictures would be horrible. The photographer basically just plopped my DD in the middle of the background...no props, didn't even adjust her position. Everything that the photographer did to make my DD smile just made her cry at that point. After about 5 minutes, I cancelled the session and rescheduled. When I went back, I had a different photographer who did a pretty good job.

I can't say for sure, but I suspect that the quality from a Sears Portrait Studio is going to be similar to what you'll get at Target, Walmart, or JC Penney's. It's all very dependant on the individual (and likely minimally trained) photographer.

 

[we3disneygo]

we used Sear's one time and did not care for them at all. we then tried JC Penneys and LOVED them, meet a real nice lady Ardeen who has a ds my dd age born a couple days apart! and we have been going there for the last 11 years....she's the reason why...our pictures have always turned out great! good luck.