Someone please be my voice of reason!!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-28-2003
Someone please be my voice of reason!!!
8
Thu, 12-02-2004 - 4:32pm
OK, I am really in need of some help here. Even during the times when I have really been trying to reduce debts (and was successful up until October-November), I really go off the deep end at Christmas time. Well, not so this year, we have declared. My husband and I are really on the same page...we are putting the kids presents on layaway today..there won't be as many this year, but it is ok. So what is my problem? I want to get my kids pictures taken professionally to send with our cards. I've only had their pictures taken once before and they are 5 and 7!!! Most of the time I take them myself and have them reprinted at Wal-Mart, I have a very nice digital camera and I can just go click, click, click until I get one worth sending, though I don't get the pretty backgrounds of a portrait studio. Is that nuts? I mean they turn out pretty nice anyway... I can probably swing pro pics if i cut everything else over the next couple of weeks (we are finally done with our moving disaster)...but I know I will have to go somewhere pretty pricey anyway to get them back by Christmas. Does it really matter where the pictures are taken? I feel pathetic!! It is such a catch 22. (I can always wait and have their pictures done after Christmas and send them for Valentines Day or something...we will definitely have more money then...it is always just a now! Now! NOW!! thing with me. BTW< my paychecks from now on are going to be $200 more than before since I went full time...so we really will start doing better. It is just staying determined at Christmas time that is driving me nuts!!! Heather
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-19-2004
Thu, 12-02-2004 - 4:42pm

I think self made pictures are just as good. I haven't gotten dd's pictures taken professionally for nearly 2 years, although I did it twice a year before. It's so expensive! Even when I take pictures with a camera I never have enough money to get them developed, something else always takes priority. You should see the pile of film I have not developed.

I was thinking about getting dd's pictures taking for Christmas too, but after reading your post I decided I can do it myself. I will just take them in front of the Christmas tree this year and put them in my cards. Of course, I don't even have that in my Christmas budget so I will have to find a way to squeeze it in. Sometimes those backgrounds in the professional studios look cheezy anyway, and they are not always very good at getting my very shy dd to smile anyway.

You can do it too. It's just your compulsive spending bone trying to get you in there to spend hundreds of dollars you don't need to spend right now.

Photobucket

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-14-2003
Thu, 12-02-2004 - 4:45pm

I have never done this before and don't even know if it is possible, but I was thinking of calling around to local photography classes and asking if a student would like to shoot some children and family portraits. This may not fly, but could be worth a try.

Windy

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-29-2003
Thu, 12-02-2004 - 4:55pm

I have always gotten my dd's pictures done at Walmart portrait studio or sears w/ a coupon. I have never paid more than $10 for a set of portraits. They look just as nice as the expensive portrait studios. I get portraits from walmart for $5 in the summer, right now walmart usually charge $13-15 for the same package.

I see no point in going to a 'real professial' when you will most likely pay a couple hundred in pictures.

Good Luck,
Sola

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-28-2003
Thu, 12-02-2004 - 6:58pm
Yeah, I thought of that.... a little too late. We just moved a month ago...and now we won't get them back for Christmas anyway. I have to go at a time when it isn't very busy because of my daughter's autism (too many people around just gets her wound up and that is how we didn't get any last year...she was so upset she wouldn't smile. ) It is not an easy feat in the first place. i huess I'll do it myself again this year, and try to have them done in January Heather
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-28-2003
Thu, 12-02-2004 - 7:00pm
Compulsive spending bone? I didn't know such a bone existed, but you must be right. Thanks for making me smile...I can wait another month and do it when it isn't rushed. So hard to get my girls pictures done anyhow!!! Thanks, Heather
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Thu, 12-02-2004 - 11:57pm
I am the same way! Dh and I went to Walmart and spent $17 on our family photo package. When they asked if we wanted extra pictures I said my very well rehearsed "NO!" (I didn't actually shout lol!). I won't even allow myself to look at professional photos, plus I was happy with the results they showed me. I will get my package in a few days!
Running Woman
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-16-1999
Sat, 12-04-2004 - 1:39pm
There was a time when DH made his living as a photographer (one of the top schools in the country). Photographers are expensive for a reason. You are paying for their talent, education, experience and patience as well as the liability they incure when trying to make you happy. Very good photographers are worth every dime you pay if what you need/ want are breathtaking photographs. The Walmart photographers are not as well trained or crative as the high priced guys. They each serve a purpose. Look at the examples of work at the local discount store and if the quality is ok with you dress the kids up and take them there. Do not buy big packages since there is tremendous money to be made in the reprints. Go to you local photo place and get the cheapest reprint price you can. Better yet... Take the photographs yourself. You can sit them infront of the tree, on the sofa or create a back drop out of a piece of fabric or a table cloth. The kids will be more comfortable and will be more relaxed. You own the negs if you use a conventional camera or you have the digital image. Have printed what you really need. Most of the time the people end up shoving the photograph in a drawer after a couple of weeks so I would only send to those people who will really treasure the photograph. It sounds as if you have done well keeping Christmas under control. Do not let this break the budget.
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-14-2004
Sun, 12-05-2004 - 5:52pm
We always faithfully go to WalMart for the package special (the Christmas ones we just did were $6.88 for the package). You can go back and buy the proofs from the additional poses for $22 within 2 weeks (they keep them for a while). With all the additional expenses, WalMart is the best!