This morning the kids and I made a little stop by Portrait Innovations. We have been experiencing a little "second child syndrome" and we had to fix that before time got away from us. When Caroline was a baby, I dutifully made it by the photographer at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months and even threw in a 5 month photo session because she was just too cute. Poor, sweet Roy Austin. We had a family photo session when he was a month old, but that's about it! I missed his 6 month milestone, but made it today for the big 7 month session! I realized I had matching smocks that I had bought the kids at the last smock sale, so out they came:
Have you ever been to Portrait Innovations? The concept is great--decent pictures in a quick amount of time--but the customer service? Lacking just a little. When I first walked into the photo room, they had this background pulled out and I immediately thought of that Olan Mills email that went around a few months back:
I politely told the lady, "I'm not going to lie to you, I don't care for scenic backdrops and props. Just give me a white backdrop and a wicker chair. I like it plain". She didn't like that I said that and told me just to let her take a few pictures and see what I thought when I saw the shots.
The kids did great. I secretly HATE taking kids to get their pictures taken because I want them to turn out and I cringe at the time I'll spend calling their names and making silly faces, waving my hands and talking at a really high pitch to make them smile and laugh. This morning I even considered postponing the idea of pictures being taken, but like I said, we were already a few months behind schedule. My children did GREAT, especially the little guy. He didn't make a peep and smiled like a champ. I have to admit, I almost choked when the photographer's assistant asked Caroline, "Caroline! What's your boyfriend's name?!". What?! Um, yeah. She JUST turned three. I don't think she has a boyfriend or even knows what that is. I immediately answered "Daddy!".
Pardon my hand in the lower left corner. Okay, the girl taking these pictures was interesting. When she was all done, I thanked her and the assistant and told them that they got just what I wanted. No response. Not even a smile. YooHooo? Hello? It was as if I was talking to myself!! I even had Caroline tell them "thank you" and again, nothing!
So, then we went to view the pictures and the great customer service began. The photographer suddenly came to life and told me how cute ALL the pictures were. I mean, she ooohed and ahhhed over every single one. Even this one:
I mean, it's cute, but come on. Caroline looks a little on the hunched over side, don't you think? I told her it wasn't my favorite, and...wait a second! Didn't I say no props?! She was really trying to talk me into picking this shot and the one of them in the beautiful garden, which made me confused so I asked her if I had to buy a certain amount? See? Places like this get you in, suck you in even more with cute pictures of the customer's kids, get you to buy prints you don't even like and then you are left standing in your kitchen two hours later with a LOAD of pictures wondering "what just happened?"
Then she handed me the most expensive package deal and tells me that if I pick this one, I get 4 free 10x13's. Yippee! Who uses 10x13's anyway? I ended up buying a bigger package than I wanted, but I got a free CD with ALL the pictures on it. I couldn't pass that up! I am now the proud owner of 72 prints taken of my kids today. I love these:
So don't be suprised if I hand you a few wallets when you see me. I have TONS of them that I now have to get rid of...including 4 10x13's. I know, I'm a sucker.
23 comments:
I have had all of Sarah's 3, 6, 9 and soon 1 year photos taken at Portrait Innovations. They are good at selling! I have spent way too much money with them!! But I do love all my pictures and Sarah is for sure going to have a huge photo album! I always tell them only white and black backgrounds too, but they still always try to do a couple others, which I always tell them I will not like!
P.S. I love these pictures!!! the first one of RA is my favorite!
Cute pictures Donna. I love the one at the top of your blog the best. That's funny that you caved in and bought them all. I can just picture you there now with them trying to get them to smile and getting their attention. Love their outfits too. RA is a little man!
Donna you are so funny! Good for you! The pictures are great. Send me some! I cannot believe you bought the big package!!!! SUCKER!!!!!
Next time you and HPS, Suzzy and Kristie need to to the fabric store and buy a big piece of white fabric and black fabric. Hang it from a wall and take turns dressing your children up and taking pic's! Use Roy's JF camera!
Donna your kids are gorgeous! Even with the garden backdrop behind them! :) I was lol when I read that. I once had the galaxy backdrop behind Will and I wanted to gag. It's worse around holidays when they put easter backdrops and Christmas trees and trains. Ugh. I'm with you, plain and simple. And the boyfriend comment? Gross lady. About buying all the pic's, I'm sure that when you left the sales person looked at the other associates and said..."and that's how it's done! SELL SELL SELL!" :)
We are totally going there on Saturday and its our first time, let the good times begin!! Absolutely LOVE the picture at the top, your kiddos are so cute! I'm with you, simple is best, especially if you have adorable children.
Donna, The new pic up top sure makes the Station look like a fairytale!!!! I love the pics. Which PI did you go to? You're absolutely right that they sure work it and I always have to sternly say only white or black. I've still gotta do the 12 month. I'm the queen of making my appt and postponing. Way to trudge through! At least it was blogworthy!
The pictures are great and the models are spectacular. RA is so cute..I just want to pinch his cheeks! Of course, Caroline is beatuiful!
Just to give you a basis...Todd charges $150.00...that includes a CD with all the images. Then the client can have them printed at Rite Aid or any camera store. Would you like me to have him post an add for a good photographer with the same pricing?
I love them! So cute! I'm a sucker for some smocks and those are cute! My poor second child is lacking in the pics and my third...don't even talk about it! Thanks for the reminder..I'm calling for my appointments tomorrow!
Donna...these pics turned out great...your kids are just beautiful! Caroline is getting to be such a big girl. :) Way to put your foot down with the background pics...I would have done the same thing. I love the ones in the white whicker chairs!!!
Donna - so cute...and great post! I have never been to PI - but I think there was one by our old house at the Promenade? I have the black and white fabric...so anytime you girls want to try it - I am all for it! I like to practice taking pictures on Norah - it is just getting more and more difficult to keep her in one place. :)
If I were you, I would go to the Molskness's house for your next photo session and have Kristie take them like she does for Norah. Those always turn out so good and would be a lot less cheesy than those back ground pics.
I have been there many times. I seem to be a sucker everytime. They make it so difficult! Now I have a drawer FULL of tons of extra pictures that I will never use again. I have gotten some really cute pictures there though. We will be going there in the next couple of weeks to get some pictures of my kids together. I'll have to prepare myself to say no!
Very, very cute pictures! I laughed at the garden one-looks so natural. :) Way to update your blog picture...definitely gives it a new vibe!
I'm with ya on the sucker thing...why, why, why do I always fall prey to their sales pitch??? I think it's because the thought of some of my child's pictures ending up in the dumpster drives me crazy...it's like I'm letting them down or something. Crazy I know, isn't it?
Donna, I am laughing so hard. I SO DO THE SAME THING! I will go in doing a pep talk on myself, "OK, I ONLY NEED 6 sheets today, that's all, just 6 sheets, Kristi...be tough." I end up leaving with about 30 sheets for some unknown reason.
I do love the pictures. They are so good! I would die for your kids thick hair.
I am glad you explained about the backdrop. I thought for a moment that you left the studio and went to the Arboretum and took MORE! It was so realistic looking. LOL!
I also offend every photographer that I ever use. I could be such a good kids photographer. It amazes me that so many of them just don't have the eye. They only know one way to take pictures. The Easter pics of Olivia, the lady went round and round with me b/c it was Angel Wing Day. I didn't want Olivia in angel wings. The scene wasn't pretty, let me just tell you that.
OK, I so need to learn to be short and to the point. Why am I always the one who writes a book everytime I comment. I am going to get better.
These are really good - how could they not be? :) Yes, Roy Austin is a little man - so cute and Caroline - beautiful little girl!
All I have to say is BEAUTIFUL!!!! Those pictures are so nice, and it was probably worth the agony of the sales pitch that you had to endure just to get those adorable shots of your children. Makes me miss them sooooo much.
I went to Portrait Innovations here in Richmond for Aron's 1 month pictures. Pretty much the same thing here. Just WHAT am I going to do with 4 10x13's?? Those pictures ARE adorable, though! I didn't get offered the lovely scenic background, though.
Great pictures. Of course, it helps when the kids are gorgeous (and cooperative!). I've had to postpone a few sessions due to very obvious boo-boos on the face AND a couple of self-induced haircuts!! I've taken my own pictures to document those moments!
The pictures are great, and those outfits are perfect!
Props or no props, you have some really cute kids!!!
The white backgrounds looks amazing...simple and clean. The "meadow" is so 80's who uses that these days? I"m glad they were good for you; a photo op could be a session that easily turns the other way. Xan is almost three months; so we're taking him either today or next Wednesday for his first shots...the only place we have here is Sears: YIKES! Hopefully they have a white backdrop!
What cute kiddo's! I love the ones of RA at the bottom...You are good at finding the smocked items. I need to find some for my guy. Anyway, that was a great recap of your experience. Glad you got some great shots too!!
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