Photo Studio - San Pedro,CA

I've done a LOT of studio photos. I took my daughter every month for her first year....she's now 5-1/2, and several times a year after that for Easter, Halloween, birthday. All except her first Halloween were at JC Penney. I took her to Sears that one time and didn't like the long wait and didn't like the photos. I had twins last year and am taking them once a month also for their first year...all at JC Penney. I love their quality, and people seem amazed when they ask where I had the photos done. For the Christmas photos I bought the CD so I can print my own photos. Even so, I still always use the coupons and buy several sheets. They are only 3.99 per sheet. When I went to Sears it was 4.99 per sheet....AFTER you buy 6 0r 7 at the regular price! What a rip-off! I don't know why, but I've had very good luck with the JC Penney I go to, and I've been a 'regular' there for 5-1/2 years. They are creative, and also do any special requests that I have. I wouldn't go anywhere else. Why fix it if it ain't broke?

We used Sears in the past and I loved them, but since we moved I have not found a Sears Portrait Studio I like. The staff always seems to be running late and not very creative when it comes to poses. I have had a few friends that love Target (I hear that JC Penny and Target are affiliated) or Portrait Innovations.

I used to use Sears and the photos were fine, but after the second time they lost my photos, I had had enough.

Now I use Kiddie Kandids and LOVE them. They are better at posing the kids, better selection of backgrounds, take more time with you and the prices actually seem better to me. Plus, I've gotten the CD with the photos each time and it hasn't cost me extra. They have lots of online deals too.

Good luck.
-M

Go with an independent professional photographer or take them yourself. Those "studios" in the mall or at Babies R Us are not professional photographers and are a total rip off and not to mention a waste of time when not even one picture turns out (happened to me). Anyone can get a job at those places. However, a professional photographer actually understands lighting, how to work with a human subject, etc. We bought a very high quality camera and we just take the pictures ourselves. I have an eye for cropping and my computer has editing programs that can make the picture pop. Good luck and have fun!

My husband and I are pretty picky with photos, since photography is a hobby for both of us. We have been very impressed with Picture People, I know that they have a location in Main Place Mall, Santa Ana. I grew up going to professional studios and was extremely leery of the quality of mall studios but we have been converted! The staff is very good with little ones, they have awesome discounts & amazing photos to boot! Be sure to sign-up on their website for promo updates. Our last time in the bill was $300+ for tons of pics, frames & gifts for the grandparents and with all the coupons (they often accept more than one) and the freebies included with our membership we walked out paying ONLY $18! It was awesome and we love their work. The best part is the free sitting fee, if the kids don't cooperate or pics don't turn out as good as you would like you aren't out anything! Do make an appt. so you get in and aren't waiting around with little ones. Total time in & out with the photos in hand is usually 2-2.5 hrs.Hope this helps!
p.s. they do offer CDs with all your digital images.

Hi L.,
I have used Sears in the past for the same reason. I am a BIG scrapbooker and always want the hi-res photos on a CD. They have done a pretty good job. It really depends on who you get as your photographer though. One time we got a new gal who didn't really know what she was doing and the photos didn't turn out that great. (Of course I still bought them and played with them in Photoshop myself.) But the other times our photos turned out pretty well.
Hope that helps. *Ü*

Babies R Us is great.

Hi L.-

When my kid's were little, we always used The Picture People. They were patient and you could get the CD as well. My only warning, and this might not be an issue after the Holiday's, is that they are understaffed so frequently there is a waitime at the check-in area. That said, we have always gotten GREAT pictures. Now my kid's are 10 & 13 so we just go w/ friend's and take pictures. They take our photo's and we take theirs. It works great!

I know you were asking about studios but there are some really great independent photographers. We had a private session with a great photographer, reasonably priced and went with our ideas what was more "us" in style. I can't find their card but is Snider Photo and Design, they are in Long Beach ###-###-####. Tell Russell and Emily that Jama referred you.

L., I used Sears when my kids were babies. The pictures always came out very nice. I would definately recommend them.

Zoe (pronounced Zo not Zoey) is amazing! Her sitting fees are cheap compared to other experienced photographers and the fee includes ALL photos, which is amazing in itself. She puts together a darling photo book for you and then gives you everything. I paid $15 (I think) extra for high res CD's also. Most sitting fees don't include anything and are higher.....and the pix can be $25-50 each!!!! I believe she is also listed as a mom owned business on Mamasource, check it out.

http://www.mamasource.com/business/4504627177660088321/de...

here is her site:

http://www.photographybyzoe.com/

She just did two of my friends Christmas cards and they are to die for!

I had a great experience with Olan Mills. Yes, it was a little more money than you walk in expecting to pay; however, we got nearly $500 worth of photos for $105, and that included the membership for a program that has freebees for the year you are enrolled (only $20 for the membership and you get a good number of discounted items/free items.) When I lived in FL, we loved the Picture People, but their locations are limited and I no longer have one near me. I especially liked that Picture People's photos were ready in an hour and were good quality, as opposed to mediocre at Walmart.

We go to Kiddie Kandids-a bit pricey, but great pics and u get a CD usually w/ a package purchase. L.:)

L., I used JCPenney once and my daughter cried most of the time. I then used Sears and she was fine. My daughter is now 11 and has school pictures but I still use Sears for family and birthday pix. I absolutly love them. Good luck.

Check on craig's list- there are often new photographers who are trying to build portfolios that will give you a great deal that includes the CD. The portraits can be done at a location you pick and usually they have websites so you can see samples. I was doing photography for a while and that was how I found clients to start- I offered a free re-shoot if people weren't happy with their results so people would feel confident about getting their money's worth and I have several repeat clients and referrals. You may also ask other moms in your area if they know of someone like this. Good luck!

Sears was a major rip off!! I had a coupon so I thought I would get a good deal. Nope, I paid the same price for pics as you would at a professional studio and the photos weren't great.(Could have been the 17yr old taking the pictures prob doesn't have a whole lot of training.) Try a local photographer. Many times they come to your home to take pics and if not,they will have a studio. Worth every penny and they can give you the disk of all your photos! Sears won't be different than JcPenney! Good Luck!

I used take my son to JC Penny's, and the pictures didn't come out as good as I like to be. Most of all, even though they are busy, but they don't listen to me when I told them the trick to make my son smile for the camera. So I decided to switch studio to Sears. Even though I had doubt about it, but it turned out really good. "Both", me and my husband, love the pictures. I would say to try it, maybe you would like it. Good Luck!!!

I can recommend my brother, Robert Bacon Studios. google him and you'll get his website. He's here in the north county and is reasonable and you can get a CD with your photos. good luck

Hi L.,
I've had some luck at Picture People. The one in Redondo Beach is decent enough, but I will never go back to the one at the Brea Mall - horrible customer service each time with 1.5 hour wait for pics afterward after being told it would only take 20 minutes. Also, Brea has no bathroom. They are not equipped on a number of levels to work with kids. No response from customer service when I have complained. Haven't tried any other location. A friend of mine has suggested Target Photo Center. I haven't tried them yet but might the next time we go for pics.
Good luck!
C.

I definately prefer Sears over JC Pennys. We always took our family there when the kids were small and were very happy. I went to Pennys once and didn't like them.

Hi L.,

Try Babies R Us. We've taken our daughter there for her holiday pictures and first birthday. Her second is coming up and we already made an appointment. They have reasonably priced packages and you get to select the shots before you have them printed out. They give you a CD of the pictures plus you can go online to print them also.

Buy a digital camera and take your own pictures.

Is there a lifetouch studio near by? Try to get to one for cheap but very good quality portraits

We went to Olan Mills and got some great pictures and they also have a "watch me grow" program. OM used to be extremely pricey but they've come down alot to be competitive.

LOVE Kiddie Kandids. We have them do our annual pics for the kids and we had them do a great family pic of all of us this Christmas. I do digital scarpping, so I need the CDs as well.

My cousin is a photographer, and she'll come to your house to take pictures (or anywhere else you want to meet). She is amazing at making any lighting work & look natural.

http://lisaisrad.com

I will NEVER use Sears again! I made an appointment for my 2 year old and we showed up a little early to make sure we got in on time..... Anyway, an HOUR later, I asked what was going on and they had FORGOTTEN us... by that time my son was very cranky and the pictures were terrible so I refused to purchase any and vowed never to return. Olan Mills has done a great job for me in the past. (sometimes they're in K-mart).
Good luck!

I've done Sears and Babies R US. I liked both. :-)

i love kiddie kandids. my fav is at the brea babies r us. But they are getting a little pricy. I am always happy with their pictures. My sis in law has used sears and she likes them. She goes to the one at the brea mall.

Babys r us studios went bankrupt, announced this morning. But i would recommend olan mills

With 3 kids, we've tried Picture People, Kiddie Kandids, JcPenney, Sears, and Clix. We have been the most pleased with the professional quality of the photos from Clix. I am never disappointed with their photos or customer service. Plus, a nice service they include is to cut the pictures for you (wallet sheets, 5x7 sheets) so you don't have to cut them yourself. It's a minor detail, but it sure enhances the finished product. Check out their website at www.clixportraitstudios.com. Good luck!

I suggest Nancy Thompson. She's awesome and does give a CD with the high resolution photos. Her number is ###-###-####

Hello, Our daughters use Babies R Us. They are very good with the children and have great plans as well as the CDs. We just had our local grandchildren done and then when suddenly our other two grandchildren came out from Ohio, we had all of them done together again. It was great and gave us a chance to get some of the 5 month old by herself.
Good luck with your precious family.
K. K.

I use Sears all the time... and I use Picture People, but they are more pricey. I'd be happy to send you our Holiday Photos so you can see the quality. We use the one in West Covina.

Hi L.,

You didn't mention what community your in, but I'd like to just mention my studio. Please look at the children and family galleries on my site: www.whitewolfstudio.net. I do wonderful work with children. These are custom family portraits, taking the time to let the children's personality shine through. I travel, and am willing to meet you for a personal portrait session. I find that when I put children in a comfortable setting, rather than on a backdrop, I can get truer portraits!

Have a wonderful new year with your loved ones,
A. L.
White Wolf Studio

Monkeys and Peas! Trina is awesome! The pics are more natural than a place like Sears and yes, you do get a high quality cd as well. The website is monkeysandpeas.com.