holiday picture fail :(

amber31288

 This is just a big, long, giant, fussy vent that I want someone to hear! So beware.

So, I somehow convinced DH to go to the mall on Black Friday to get DD's Christmas pictures taken. Seriously, this is a feat within itself and it was totally not worth it. JCPenney Portrait Studio was having a promo for $49 picture CD's (for the whole session) on Black Friday only. I couldn't get into the 2 closest studios on that day, so we had to go to the one in the mall that is further away and is known for being the busiest and craziest mall during the entire Christmas season. It's pretty unbearable. And my DH tried not to complain and agreed, because he knows how much I wanted A's picture taken.

Now, I had been going back and forth for awhile about whether we should just take her to JCP for Christmas pics and make it easy or if I should call my usual photographer. I thought JCP would be easier because the session only lasts like a half hour, you can usually get appointments same day or next day and you get them back pretty quick. On the other hand, our photographer is great, but it usually ends up as an all day affair (3 hours-ish for DD's 6 month shots) and she has about a two week turn around. I also thought it would be hard to schedule a session with her because of DH's busy work schedule and I'm sure she's busy this time of year, too. So, anyway, when I saw this deal that JCP was having, I thought, that settles it, we will go there and it'll be easy and cheap and great.

Well, I decided this Thanksgiving night. I had also decided I wasn't going shopping on Black Friday, but I ended up waking up and running all over town for a holiday outfit for DD, since I didn't have one yet. I got her two outfits and was even MAKING accessories for her on the carride to the portrait studio. When we got to the mall, it took us over a half hour to find a parking spot. DH was already impatient. And it started snowing heavily as soon as we had to walk a mile from the car to the mall entrance.

The mall was a zoo, of course. I couldn't even find somewhere to sit to feed DD. I should've expected this, but I thought people would make room for a woman with a baby. Not on Black Friday! Anyway, got to JCP and they tell me I can't do a wardrobe change today because of the promo. Of course I can't, I've only been running all around creation for an unnecessary second outfit for my daughter and sewing little headbands and scarves while driving here. So, that made me mad. I was also very unhappy that no one had a consultation with me. Usually, when I get DD's picture taken, they ask me beforehand what ideas I have, props I have in mind, what the occasion for the photos are, etc. They didn't ask me anything and I had brought props with me, as well as made a list of props I had seen from their online gallery that I wanted to use. I also saved pictures on my phone to show them what I had in mind. You can call me crazy, but these are DD's FIRST Christmas Photo's, and I am crazy about pictures, so it was really important to me to get some great shots. I had a vision and JCP and I were not on the same page.

As soon as we walked into the studio to start our session, we were on the clock. They just started snapping pictures and I could tell right away I wasn't going to be crazy about any of the poses and pictures. They hardly spoke to us at all and not once was I asked what I wanted! Finally, when there was a break, I showed the photographer one of the pictures I had on my phone. She said our time was up and she would have to ask her manager if she was allowed to take another picture of us. I was not aware we had such a specific time slot. We had maybe been in there 10 minutes. The manager huffed and puffed and talked down to me like I was a child and finally said yes. I would've rather them just kindly explain to me why they could not take anymore pictures. They took it and it didn't even turn out right. It was the photo that another Bumpie posted a few weeks ago of her DD with the Christmas lights. I believe it was frasey. Anyway, her photo turned out MUCH better than my professional one. I was very disappointed.

So, anyway, the moral of my giant rant is: I wish I would've just called my photographer. I think I am going to take DD somewhere else anyway, because it is her first Christmas and I really want good pictures of her. We ended up with a couple cute shots, but like I said, I have all these ideas and didn't even get to share them and I am not used to that.

That's the end of my rant! Thanks for reading if anyone did. And don't go to JCP for your holiday portrait needs. 

MrMrsandBaby

I feel your pain. I had a similar experience at target. I have has that Christmas lights picture onnpinterest for MONTHS and the photographer tried but it just didn't work. I felt bad for her because she really did try. Something about the studio lights wouldn't let it work though.

I think I'm going to ask our regular photographer to try it at her one year. Not the same but I really love the picture!

heymommy

I wouldn't really consider the JCP photographer a pro. Some that work there might be but what they can do there is really limited.

Look on Craigslist and ask your friends on Facebook for a photographer there are so many now I'm sure you can find one. keep in mind there is a wide range of experience with photographer these days. Be sure to ask them to see their work.

Can you share the light photo you are trying to copy.

amber31288

heymommy:

I wouldn't really consider the JCP photographer a pro. Some that work there might be but what they can do there is really limited.Look on Craigslist and ask your friends on Facebook for a photographer there are so many now I'm sure you can find
one. keep in mind there is a wide
range of experience with photographer these days. Be sure to ask them to see their work.Can you share the light photo you are trying to copy.

I understand that not everyone at jcp can be considered a professional, however they are a portrait studio and I am still paying for these services, so there should be some level of quality. And I understand what MrMrsandBaby said, and agree, that the photo I want may not be possible in a studio. I just wish they would've told me that.

I do have a regular photographer that I normally use, but went to jcp for the convenience and the good deal I found. Ifi can, I'll get DD in with her before Christmas.

Oh and I'll post the picture I am trying to emulate when I'm on the laptop.

heymommy

The person taking the photo didn't know it would not be possible. She has been trained to take photos with their limited set up.I bet you were the first one to ask for that idea on Pinterest its the new thing now. I've been a pro for 15 years and for the first time this year I have heard... " can we try this idea I saw on Pinterest??" more than once.

Anyway.. I guess my point is department store photo studios are pretty basic. And this time of year is crazy.

If capturing your LO during her first Christmas is your number one goal even over buying prints for gifts maybe you can book your photographer the week after Christmas to get the shots you want. ( I'm just assuming she is booked until then).

If I were closer to you I'd love to do it. 

Keep in mind that Chrismas lights ( the cord) does have a lot of lead. 

poobear2015

I'm sorry you had a rough experience - but honestly - did you expect anything less on black friday? They probably HAD to work fast and were told to not give any wardrobe changes. Plus you were getting a deal and there are always stupid restrictions with stuff like that. I've never done JCP but I've done target and they were phenomenal! No they weren't as good as the bella baby from the hospital or our photographer from our wedding - but they also have the time to edit them. Target and JCP don't. It also depends on who is running the camera. When Hayley got her baptism photos at 3 months - she was going through this phase where when she saw a camera, she stopped smiling. This lady at target got her to smile every time - she was great with kids!

I would either try your photographer or maybe even try your hand at it. I kept snapping christmas light photos while we were decorating and I got a few I was happy with. Granted we don't have hard wood, there is no shadow/reflection. And I don't have any photoshop resources, but I'm using one of them for our christmas cards because it turned out decent.

You could also try going to another studio next week after the crazy wears down. I know target has a lot of decent coupon/deals too on their website. I'm using one for her 1 year/family photos we'll be doing in Feb. I hope you get some awesome photos! I know how crazy I get when I want something specific from Hayley and she just won't cooperate with me! 

amber31288

poobear2015:

I'm sorry you had a rough experience - but honestly - did you expect anything less on black friday? They probably HAD to work fast and were told to not give any wardrobe changes. Plus you were getting a deal and there are always stupid restrictions with stuff like that. I've never done JCP but I've done target and they were phenomenal! No they weren't as good as the bella baby from the hospital or our photographer from our wedding - but they also have the time to edit them. Target and JCP don't. It also depends on who is running the camera. When Hayley got her baptism photos at 3 months - she was going through this phase where when she saw a camera, she stopped smiling. This lady at target got her to smile every time - she was great with kids!

I would either try your photographer or maybe even try your hand at it. I kept snapping christmas light photos while we were decorating and I got a few I was happy with. Granted we don't have hard wood, there is no shadow/reflection. And I don't have any photoshop resources, but I'm using one of them for our christmas cards because it turned out decent.

You could also try going to another studio next week after the crazy wears down. I know target has a lot of decent coupon/deals too on their website. I'm using one for her 1 year/family photos we'll be doing in Feb. I hope you get some awesome photos! I know how crazy I get when I want something specific from Hayley and she just won't cooperate with me! 

I understand it was Black Friday and a promotion. I didn't care for the rudeness, I don't think there is an excuse for that no matter how busy of a day it is, I was very nice to them. If it is their policy to not allow wardrobe changes and to be on a very tight time crunch, I cannot blame the employees. I think they should've made the time very clear to me though, that I was signing up for a ten minute session. And like I said, they could have given better customer service regardless of their corporate policies. That is not their fault and I understand that. I've also gotten pictures at JCP before, and while I know they are not as great as the ones from my professional photographer, they are usually still nice. These, I am not so sure about.

I am going to try to take the picture of DD with the lights on my own. She doesn't usually cooperate for me either, so that's why I was hoping I could get it at a portrait studio where their camera's are faster. I'm going to keep trying myself regardless. And maybe contact my photographer, lol. And I don't think any Target's in our area have a portrait studio inside. I am going to have to find out because I've heard good things about them but never seen them in our area.

poobear2015

That is crap for them to be rude to you just because they are stuck working on black friday. If you hate your job that much - figure a way to make it worth your while you know? There is no excuse for that. That sucks about Target cuz they are great. I've also looked at Sears and Olan Mills (which are done in a lot of Kmarts around me).

What we did for our lights pic - I gave her the lights and started snapping immediately before the sparkle of "new toy" wore off. that way she was still interested. I caught one of her pressing her face into them (she does that when she REALLY wants to look at something) - its hysterical!

Jen0204

Yes, craziness is expected on Black Friday, and of course you can't expect the same quality from JCP as from a professional photographer. But you're pregnant, have a baby, drove far away for a JCP with availability, walked far (being pregnant and with a baby) in the snow, only to be rushed, not have any input on the shots that you paid for, and were treated rudely. I'd be annoyed too! Even if some of it was too be expected I don't blame you for being pissed and venting.

amber31288

bearsbearsbears:

I'd look on their website to write a complaint.  I had a really terrible experience at a local Sears...I actually walked out after the session without any pictures because the photographer was so rude (plus her pictures sucked)--luckily I hadn't paid yet. I ended up writing a letter of complaint and getting a really good package for free and found a Sears across town who did a great job.

I know that a pro would do the best pictures, but they're prohibitively expensive in my area--like, to get what I wanted, I would have to pay the same price as I paid for my wedding photographer.  I'd just rather go to Sears more frequently than splurge once a year. 

That's the thing - I know JCP isn't going to produce the best pictures, but I have had a few really good sessions there and a few that are so-so. Either way, I've never been treated rudely until now. And you're right, a photographer is just too expensive to splurge on for as often as I'd like to get pictures of DD. I used my photographer and spent more money on DD's newborn shots and 6 month shots and I will do the same for her 1 year shots. I was looking for a good deal for Christmas pictures and now I wish I hadn't. 

amber31288

Jen0204:

Yes, craziness is expected on Black Friday, and of course you can't expect the same quality from JCP as from a professional photographer. But you're pregnant, have a baby, drove far away for a JCP with availability, walked far (being pregnant and with a baby) in the snow, only to be rushed, not have any input on the shots that you paid for, and were treated rudely. I'd be annoyed too! Even if some of it was too be expected I don't blame you for being pissed and venting.

Thanks, I did just need to vent and need someone to empathize! 

jju_stb_jju

Jcp that we go to.does great work but we always go with this one girl who takes her time and has taken great pictures of ds. I'm sure it being black friday didn't help though and that's why they rushed.