Target for Newborn sessions

ichamommy

Forgive me if this has already been posted, but does anyone have experience with target for Newborn sessions?  And how to get the best bang for your buck?  I've decided against using an artsy pro photographer because of 1) cost and 2) maybe too artsy for really good squishy baby memories.... 

Any advice on using Target or another in-store photo studio for newborn pics?

AMcLaws

I took DD1 to Sears. Loved the pics! Unfortunately they've since closed their portrait studios.

klynne924

I took DS to JCPenney when he was around 9 months because I had a $19.95 session and prints coupon. Big joke because I ended up spending almost what I would have on a professional by the time I ordered the prints I wanted. That was the first and only time I have used a studio. I would definitely check on what you get for each place and you may be surprised with how much the studio will run you. I prefer a disc with digital images over actual prints so I can print specific quantities of the image I want when I want instead of having to immediately decide before leaving the studio.

bluejeanbaby1217

Jcpennys has a groupin for $25 where you get four sheets of any print and a cd with any three poses that you can print however many you want. I've had very good luck with them and plan on doing a session once dd gets here.

ginger313

When DD was almost 3 months we went to portrait innovations. They seemed like they do baby pics all day long, had all kinds of props and ideas. After that we used Sears portraits a few times until they closed, and they were almost as good. The only thing I was concerned about was the potential germs on the sets and props available at both places. Of course, the timing aspect of scheduling the little baby pics is another thing, it's hard to estimate when the baby will be alert, hungry, or asleep for the first few months. I plan to drive out to portrait innovations again with this one. I'm so glad I had them done with DD.

likeanoldtimemovie

JCPenney's is pretty good! We had a Groupon and got some pictures I really cherish. You just have to talk them down on the editing. They like to do lots of text like LOVE IS PURE or whatever across the top of the image. They can be corny, but just tell them what you want!

INmommy871278

I use portrait innovations for all pro pics, they know exactly who I am at this point when I call by my name. I like the props and how accommodating they are. They also welcome you to bring any props you want and you get one outfit change. There is no sitting fee and they usually have a $19.95 package of some kind going on that consists of 2 8x10, 4 5x7, 4 3x5, and 32 wallets. Each additional sheet is $20 or you can get 3 sheets I believe for an extra $25. The price is right and they take a minimum of 65 pics I believe to choose from. Also, the pricing is off the top of my head and it may vary at different locations. DD's baby pics will be done at portrait innovations as well.

aimeepigott

As a PP stated, I used a studio(olan mills) once and after ordering prints etc it was more than what I spent on a private photog and I didn't get near the images I get with him. My wedding photog has great deals and he creates the disc as soon as our session ends, so I have my photos immediately. I use shutterfly to get my prints and to edit the photos and it's WAY cheaper than the studio! My photog ran a maternity special that included: maternity, birth (hospital), and newborn session for $300 and I get a disc at each session! As pp stated, look and call around...you may find they are a lot cheaper than studio and have more patience with LOs also!

Skeemer

Have you considered asking around your circle of friends for an amatuer photog with decent prices? I know a few who are building their business & portfolio who do EXCELLENT work for great prices. We just did our maternity pics for $50 with a disc of 20-ish images. You can always ask to see their previous work too. Good luck!

AMcLaws

Skeemer said:

Have you considered asking around your circle of friends for an amatuer photog with decent prices? I know a few who are building their business & portfolio who do EXCELLENT work for great prices. We just did our maternity pics for $50 with a disc of 20-ish images. You can always ask to see their previous work too. Good luck!

I'm going this route with my newborn pics this time. She's still building her portfolio, but does GORGEOUS work. She's charging me $50 with images on a disk.

Skeemer

AMcLaws said:

Have you considered asking around your circle of friends for an amatuer photog with decent prices? I know a few who are building their business & portfolio who do EXCELLENT work for great prices. We just did our maternity pics for $50 with a disc of 20-ish images. You can always ask to see their previous work too. Good luck!

I'm going this route with my newborn pics this time. She's still building her portfolio, but does GORGEOUS work. She's charging me $50 with images on a disk.

@amclaws

There's a lot of people who do amazing work & just feel they don't have the time logged to call themselves professionals. In my maternity pics case, my friend does it on the side & is a L & D nurse for her regular job. We were super pleased with our pictures.

AutumnBonfire

I did DS's newborn pics at JC Penny and I love them. We did his one year there and I wasn't as impressed. We went to Olan Mills for his six month pics and had a horrible experience (three hour wait past our appointment time). They've since closed, but those are my favorite pictures of him and I think I paid a total of $30 for all the pictures. I plan on JC Penny again for this baby. With the studios, it depends on the photographer. Some take more time to get a good shot than others. You just need to be on top of things and don't be afraid to say if you don't like something.

Skeemer

AutumnBonfire said:

I did DS's newborn pics at JC Penny and I love them. We did his one year there and I wasn't as impressed. We went to Olan Mills for his six month pics and had a horrible experience (three hour wait past our appointment time). They've since closed, but those are my favorite pictures of him and I think I paid a total of $30 for all the pictures. I plan on JC Penny again for this baby. With the studios, it depends on the photographer. Some take more time to get a good shot than others. You just need to be on top of things and don't be afraid to say if you don't like something.

^ This. I used to do portrait studio type work long ago & we made commision on everything we sold. So if I catered to the client & tried my hardest I knew I'd sell the pictures. Most of the time the photog will want to do exactly what you want because they know if you're happy with the pics then you'll buy buy buy them. Take your own props too if you want to. Most studio photog's I know welcome that & it also makes your pictures more personal instead of only using studio props.