Baltimore Nesties
BFP#1: 01/10, M/C 6w -- BFP#2: 06/10, M/C 5w -- BFP#3: 09/10, DS born June 1, 2011
BFP#4: 07/12, M/C 5w3d -- BFP#5: 12/12, EDD 08/18/13
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Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Come in if you've been to Picture People
I want to get some pictures of DS taken, and also a family picture of me, DH, and DS. Then my MIL says she wants to get a family picture of MIL, FIL, BIL, SIL, me, DH, and DS. So we thought, let's just all go together. But now I'm wondering, is there going to be enough time? I see that they allow 20 minutes for a group this size, but still. Has anyone gone with a larger group? Do you think it would be better to book back to back sessions (if I can even do that)?
Also does anyone know if they sell a high res CD? TIA!
BFP#1: 01/10, M/C 6w -- BFP#2: 06/10, M/C 5w -- BFP#3: 09/10, DS born June 1, 2011
BFP#4: 07/12, M/C 5w3d -- BFP#5: 12/12, EDD 08/18/13
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Re: Come in if you've been to Picture People
Ok...so it's been 10+ years since I've been there but all of my siblings plus the current in-law siblings at the time went there because that was the only place that could accomidate us since we were such a large group. Looking back on the picture now, I laugh. It's horrible! They didn't space us out well and it's just not a great picture. I don't remember the 20 minute limit but with a place like that it doesn't surprise me.
Two years ago we all got together again to get pictures done but this time we went the professional photographer route. Everyone chipped in to pay for the photog (which I think was like $150 give or take for an hour and a half) and then we each bought our own prints seperately. He was able to accomodate us as a large group and each "family" got to have a few individual shots done too if they wanted. We just went to a local park for the shot and it worked out great because the kids got some pictures done on the playground that turned out really nice.
So...if you're looking at a group of people, this may be a better route to explore. The photog we used has since moved to North Carolina but I do have a friend from high school that is doing Fall Mini-Sessions. She just sent a handful of us an email about it. She is in Westminister.
We went there all the time for DS's 1st year of pics and the big thing there is going in the day when its not crowded and its a great experience . If you go on weekends or Holidays its a cluster f*. At least when we went to Columbia one last xmas . Basically if you bring all those people you will want to try to request the "room " that will allow you space for all those people . After they take them you wait for them to be previewed to you and you pick them ( this can vary based on how many staff are there and how crowded it is ) . Then about 15 minutes later the pics are printed and you take em home .
So it works well when its not crowded - last time we went it took forever over 1.5 hours and we had an appt . Also its hard to keep a toddler occupied during that mess. IMHO - its worth it maybe with a smaller group or plan to be there awhile and have someone walk around with your DS and be prepared to wait .Also you will have alot of people to decide on pics . You would probably be better off at a pro photographer
If you go - check their website for coupons too .
This year we will use a professional - Jen Lowe for her fall mini sessions - I believe a few ladies on her have used her as well and her session you will get a Hi res CD
I dont think PP has a high res CD - if they do its costly
Good luck
We went once because I had a groupon. Kieran was the only one in the photos. I think the photos came out great, but I think experiences can vary from place to place and from photographer to photographer.
The price is very reasonable so it wouldn't hurt to go and try it out. I know you can buy a CD but they limit the number of photos to I think 20. If you have time and a good photographer they may let you look through the photos and choose if they want to delete a few pictures so you can get 20 good photos.
If I were you I'd see if a friend wouldn't mind taking family photos for you. You could go to a park or somewhere outside where the lighting is good and just have them snap away.
My family went about 4 years ago and we had 14 people there. I don't recall a 20 minute time limit, but I don't think it took too terribly long, either. There wasn't a lot of variety to be had in terms of posing with so many people in a relatively small space, so they just took a handful of shots of all of us to make sure there was one with all of ours eyes open and not looking like idiots. Then each of my sisters and I (3 of us total) had mini family portraits done with just our spouse and kid(s).
Given C's age, you may want to just go ahead and book back-to-back: one for the full family portrait and then one for you, DH and DS together immediately after. If the first session runs short, start your session sooner. You'll want more options with C, especially if it's harder to get a smile or he's overwhelmed and it takes more time.
Yes, they do sell high-res CDs (last I was there, anyway), but IIRC, they're quite expensive.
We used her last year and will use her again this year. When all is said and done, I probably spend *about* the same amount. Places like Picture People have free sittings, but I always ended up spending a fortune on the prints. With Jen I lay out more for the sitting, get the disc, and spend less on the prints because I only get exactly what I want.
Stef, when are you doing your session with Jen? My sister's family and my family are doing her 11/5 sessions at Quiet Waters.
This is why I'm so overwhelmed by this. I'm trying to compare JCP with sitting fees and lower cost prints vs. Picture People with no fee but higher cost prints vs. a private photog with no prints but a CD and more time. I'm really overthinking. I think all my MIL wants is a standard portrait of the whole family and she just wants prints so that's why I'm leaning towards a studio. I want to do a more JenLowe-ish type thing when Caelan is a little older. Maybe next Spring/Summer.
BFP#1: 01/10, M/C 6w -- BFP#2: 06/10, M/C 5w -- BFP#3: 09/10, DS born June 1, 2011
BFP#4: 07/12, M/C 5w3d -- BFP#5: 12/12, EDD 08/18/13
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Aw, we'll be there later in the afternoon because DD has dance lessons until noon. Hope you guys have a blast! Jen is a total doll and so easy to work with. I can't wait to see how yours turn out!
I can understand that! We used PP for DD's first couple of years and they were fine. FWIW, A FRIEND OF MINE USES JCPENNEY ALL THE TIME AND HAS BEEN INCREDIBLY HAPPY WITH THEM. SHE LIKES THE VARIETY OF BACKDROPS AND PROPS, WHICH PP DEFINITELY LACKS.
ALSO: SO SORRY ABOUT THE CAPS. MY COMPUTER HAS TOTALLY WIGGED ON ME.
Ugh I was sold on PP until I looked at their pathetic selection of backgrounds. I'm sort of against props so that doesn't bother me as much.
BFP#1: 01/10, M/C 6w -- BFP#2: 06/10, M/C 5w -- BFP#3: 09/10, DS born June 1, 2011
BFP#4: 07/12, M/C 5w3d -- BFP#5: 12/12, EDD 08/18/13
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I would honestly look into a private photographer rather than a retail photographer like that. PP will only give you about 20 minutes and after you buy prints you are well over $100 too.
Most photographers will run you around the same, maybe a little more but you have more time.
My sessions run at $150 and you get a DVD of all images. So that cost is the final cost. I am sure there are many others out there that charge around the same.
Maybe something to look into. Specially when kids are involved, 20 minutes are often not enough. Kids don't usually cooperate, it's all new to them and they are feeling uneasy. If you get pushed to do it all quickly chances are it will end in a disaster
We used JCP when Aiden was just shy of 2. They were great and spent a lot of time with him (even allowing for outfit changes if we needed). There are always coupons, and I think I saved more because I used my charge card. I was very pleased.
Last year we used Portrait Innovations. We spent about the same as with JCP, but I felt we had a better experience at JCP. The pictures were comparable, but I felt the people at JCP were more professional.
miscarriage on 11/26/09 at 5w6d
With a really large group you background options will be even more limited. When my FIL did Family pics last year at SEARS the only backgrounds they had big enough for our group were plain white canvas or a black velvet curtain.
It was fine for what he wanted because he wanted a tradition family photo, but I was a bit disappointed that we couldn't use any of the fun holiday stuff.