Portrait Sittings - Cheapest?

We used to go to Portrait Innovations, but no more. Maybe it was just our store, but they always overbook, and the wait is long even with an appointment. I was one of the first of the day, and I still had to wait for over an hour for rooms to free up. The pics were ok. They always use this horrible tan background that washes my son and I completely out, after I requested that they NOT use it. Then they rush, rush, rush to get through the session and rush you through the selection process. Sure you get your pictures quick, but it's not worth it.
I have had good experiences with Olan Mills in the past. Also, JCPenney did a great job and the pics were very affordable (although I'm not sure they still have photo studios).

I use Picture People and have been very happy with the results for the price. I always go when I have an $18 bundle coupon: http://www.picturepeople.com/PPC_GBranded?type=Baby-Portr...

You get a lot of pictures for the price of one sheet, although they are all the same pose. They also have a portrait club membership that gets you a free sheet each time you visit, free enhancement and maybe something else. It's good for a year and its like $30. You can sign up for emails and mailings and they'll send you the coupons.

Unfortunately with chains it depends a lot on who you happen to get as a photographer. We had a terrible experience at JC Penny and I will never go back because the photographer was really bad.

Portrait Innovations ... do an online search to see if they are in you area.

I LOVED our experience, they took about 80shots we went over to a computer area and as a family weeded thru the photos found the shots we loved and the packages are tailor made. Oh and you do not HAVE to buy anything and you leave with your photos. Okay, we went to lunch and came back an hour later but still same day photos who can beat that?

We have gone to Target in our area for our family and milestone birthdays. They always have pretty good prices and most times there is no sitting fee. Take a look at places that have a fee but offer "Free" portrait sheets vs. those without a fee and not as many deals. You may find a lot of the big box type studios are comparable where smaller, locally owned may cost more. It is the quality that is most important and since it is not a regular expense, it may be worth it to your family to indulge in the higher priced one if the quality is better.

I've used Olan Mills twice and found them to be both high in quality and affordable.

I've also used a local professional photographer. It was more expensive, but he took the best photos I've ever seen.

Search for local photogs and check out each of their websites. Look for the one with the photos of people where you can really SEE the light and personality in their eyes. That is the kind of photog you want.

Best of luck!

I've done Olan Mills and Walmart's Photo studio for the birthday photo's. Both are lovely with them.

Recently, I've just been taking pics of my son doing what comes natural, and making prints of those.

If you have a camera and a good eye, try finding fun shots of your child when they aren't looking, and make portraits of them that way. Taking them to Walmart or Walgreens, etc. and printing them on HQ paper makes them look professional for cheap.
Which reminds me of going to get those cards sent out...*yerg!* Time to get off MP

I go to JCPenney. If you sign up for the program, which I think is $30, you get a bunch of free stuff, including sitting fees for up to 5 people. I remember when I got it, it paid for itself in free stuff, and it's good for a year. I've always gotten good pictures from the one in Texas I would go to. For my boys one year pics, I plan on going back to JCPenney since I had such good luck. Often times with JCPenney, you can find coupons everywhere. Magazines, online, etc.

I don't know if they are in your area but down here we have Portrait Innovations and not only are the pictures great but they are very inexpensive AND printed on the spot so you don't have to wait weeks.