Today I took my kids to get a portrait taken in their Easter clothes. Every time I take my kids to get a portrait done, it's always a big debate in my mind whether to go to the Picture People or JCPenney (those are pretty much the only 2 places I go). I've had GOOD experiences at both places, and I've had BAD experiences at both places. The dilemma usually involves these main elements:
1) JCPenney is much cheaper ($3.99 a sheet with a coupon, compared to about $15 a sheet with a coupon at Picture People - however, at JCPenney, if I want to order a sheet with any type of enhancement - like black and white instead of color - it is $15).
2) The quality of the prints from JCPenney are almost always better (sometimes the Picture People has issues getting the color right).
3) I like that JCPenney does 3x5 prints - these work good on scrapbook pages (however, the Picture People recently started doing 4x6 prints- so I guess it's not much of an issue anymore).
4) I like the backgrounds better at the Picture People (the white background -my favorite- doesn't look like a wrinkled sheet, like it does at JCPenney).
5) The photographers are "usually" better at the Picture People (but there are exceptions to this - it's pretty much the luck of the draw).
6) At the Picture People you get instant gratification (I hate waiting two weeks to get my pictures - at the Picture People, they print them out and I get to take them home right away).
So, I pretty much alternate between the two and roll the dice as to where to go. Today I chose JCPenney. Overall, it wasn't a "bad" experience, but not a "great" one either. I don't think I can necessarily blame JCPenney, though. I think most of the fault falls on Isaac and Emma. Isaac was just NOT in a cooperative mood today, and Emma just won't sit still. She's a little jumping bean! Noah, on the other hand, did exceptionally well. He looked at the camera, smiled, and was just very pleasant. Thanks, Noah! Anyway, I think what bothers me most about the pictures is Emma's hair. She kept her hair clip in, but she was moving around so much while I was trying to put it in, that I didn't do a very good job. So, it looks messy. I seriously have issues with that girl's hair! I just can't get it to look good! Actually, the problem probably is that I should have gotten her bangs trimmed, but I was afraid they would cut them too short, and then they would look bad. Poor thing. She's gonna look back someday and be like, "Mom, what were you thinking?"
Anyway, I'm pretty much psycho about portraits in general, so it's always a stressful experience. I really want their clothes, hair, face, etc. to be PERFECT, and when they're not (which they never are) I get disappointed. It's really stupid, though, because when I look back later on, I always LOVE my kids' portraits. David really can't stand the way I act about the whole thing, and usually won't consent to come with me when I take the kids. Today, however, he did come, and I was glad to have him there. A little moral support (and crowd control) is always helpful!
In the end, I spent way more than I should have - ironically, because I wasn't in love with any of the pictures. It was too hard to decide, so I just ended up ordering WAY too many different poses (3 of the kids together, and some of each of them alone). Plus, I ordered 3 sheets in black and white ($15 a sheet), bringing the total to $80.
So, anyway, sorry for all the ranting. I think I'm just a little crazy!
I've never been "creative" in doing this kind of stuff. I remember hating it when I was a kid and I still hate it. I can't stand that they give us TWO weeks to do this, and it says in bold, underlined text, "Please be creative with this project and have fun!!" Seriously, it's too much pressure for me. I'm always self-conscious about these type of projects, because basically whatever Isaac turns in is a reflection on me. Plus, I don't want to do homework. I've served my time, right?
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