Growing up, we always had our family photographs taken at the Sears portrait studio and it usually ended with my brother crying and me scowling. We just couldn’t seem to pull off the illusion that we actually liked each other, and the camera never lies.
The way we photograph our children and families has changed so much now that we have access to such amazing technology and equipment and editing software. Everyone and their dog has a Digital SLR camera and if you take the time to learn a few tricks, you can work some magic.
That being said, I think there is a time and place to spring for professional photos, to let a master capture the brilliance of your child at this flash of a moment they find themselves in. Today, a friend of mine (be sure to click the link to see the rest of the photos!) spent the morning taking photos of Brinley and it’s safe to say I will be cherishing these for a lifetime, and picking a few to enlarge and hang on our walls.
Take a look:
Have you splurged on professional photographs of your kids or family? Did you think it was worth it, or would a trip to the Wal-Mart Portait Studio have done the job?
I am so glad that my parents invested in professional photos when my brothers and I were young (Ron Miller Studio in Toronto). Yes it was a big expense, but the pictures are classic and forever.
We’ve had photos of our daughter at Bopomo at ages 2 and 4, and with Shawn Nygren at age 3. It’s addictive because they turn out so well and are so nice to share and look back on.
As a professional photographer, I am completely biased. That being said, if you’ve got a good photographer, one you’re comfortable with, it is completely worth it. You will cherish those frame worthy images forever.
We splurged for newborn (like before 10 days old newborn…while they’re still curled up) and then one-year-old photos.
We only choose a very few shots (3-5) that captures our baby perfectly and that helps keep down the cost.
So very worth it.
i believe so….they just come out so much more snazzy for some reason! i didn’t go nuts…6 months, 18 months and a family shot i got for free when they were about 4 and 1 1/2 but some are definitely worth it!
I would love love love to get a professional picture done but on a single mom’s budget it just don’t work.
Her photos are absolutely beautiful.
We’ve done it a few times and really worth it. The pictures of Brinley are spectacular!
I splurged and got some in the midst of my PPD. Best thing ever because I don’t remember that time at all with him and now I have these amazing pictures to look back on. Her studio was so relaxing that I even smiled in my pics…now I see them as my survivor shots. That picture of Brinley is ADORABLE!
Totally worth it…the pics are awesome!
Ugh. I used to have Sears/Loblaws etc. pictures taken of my kids…and while they were sufficient…I look back at them now and wonder what in the hell I was thinking. I take better pictures of them that those 14-year-olds who are just snapping quickly.
That being said, when each baby was one, I took them to a place called Here’s My Baby in Toronto. It was SO expensive. SO expensive. But the pictures are unbelievable. They are amazing. Sometimes I think it’s worth it.
Most of the time I’m content to get behind the camera and shoot the kids myself…but sometimes…WORTH IT.
Definitely worth the SPLURGE! I’ve tried both and unfortunately the supermarket and big box stores don’t take the time or have the skills to take that 1 important photo. I’ve done both and definitely have had that success with the professional photographer rather than at Sears.
Children are only at that age for a precious amount of time – that being said, ask around who people have used, look for deals on wagjag.com, or groupon, I’ve seen many pricey photographers have deals where it would normally cost $500 but they are selling packages for $75 – If not, ask a friend who’s talented in this field if they mind taking some shots for you with their camera too.