This kind of goes with Stephanie's topic....
Nicholas is quickly approaching the 1 year mark. I want to have his pictures done professionally and was wondering if there are places to try or avoid. I would love to go to Sadies, but we don't have the funds. A friend told me she's never had good luck with Sears or Penny's, but likes Target. Her son has some issues, but has a lot more muscle tone than Nicholas. He can't sit up by himself or even in a Bumbo very well. I don't want a new born looking one year picture.

Any suggestions?

You know this is a interesting question. I am a picture freak- I take my kids at least every six months or so. (at least when they are little because they change so much) I took them to Sears a lot and they always came out great. Then I found That the Picture People did a great job. I would drive an hour each way just to go there. What I have found is that it really depends on WHO takes the portraits. The last time I went to the Picture people the portraits came out so horrible I didn't buy a single one.The photographer didn't have a clue about how to deal with kids or pose them. I find that it really helps to get someone with experience. Maybe when you decide where you want to go you could talk with the manager and explian that you need someone with lots of experience.That makes all the difference in the world. I think that some places start their employees and they have good intentions but no clue-and the pictures show it. This probably didn't answer your question but it's just my personal experience.

I think picture places all pretty much stink for our kids. They all seem to have a limit on snapping pics. So they have delays and when you want them to snap a pic they can't. Maybe call around and ask about how many pics they can take, if they can keep snapping away, you'll have more to choose from. You want to have a lot to choose from. That is usually my problem.

Me and Renee took Meg and Lacey to get their's done and the lady was nice but missed TONS of good shots due to the limited amount of space on her compter (Walmart)....so, it is a crap shot...make tons of appts and just buy the pics that come out nice. Good luck and we want to see the outcome

It is true that it depends on the photographer and time of day. I think that early appointments are best. I have sworn off Picture People. I have had a number of problems with them, starting when I took Ethan in for his 2 year pictures. They wanted him to stand and I said, "He does not stand yet". The lady looked at me and said, "He's two and can't stand? Huh.". I could have boxed her head off- no joke.

I have had a lot of luck with Sears and so-so luck with JCPenney.

Thanks everyone! I did put a this out on our local DS site, but it doesn't get too many views unless they are looking for something.

I know that if I call and ask if they would able to work with his special needs they'd say yes. What do they care if it's crappy? If I want a crappy picture, I'd take it myself. I am almost toying with taking it myself anyway. I've had to take all the others - except for one...and they are a special photography place for hospitals.

I was just hoping that there was maybe a specific studio that has a good rep for being able to capture our kids. I would love to be able to take him to a bunch of them, but he's just getting over his first cold and we try to limit his germ exposure....he'll be receiving the RSV shot again this year.

Thanks again!

I agree it really has to do with the photographer not the place. I had the same issue with Sadie when she turned one. She couldn't sit- (and I wanted a big girl picture) but, they had this chair that we put her in and I stood there holding her and pulled away for a second when they took the picture.. it took a few times, but they got it.

JUST SOME SUGGESTIONS I WAS TOLD BY THE PICTURE PLACE ITSELF...
1)CALL ADHEAD AND FIND OUT WHEN IT ISN'T BUSY
2)TELL THEM YOU HAVE A SPECIAL NEEDS CHILD AND YOU NEED TO BOOK WITH SOMEONE WHO HAS EXPERIENCE
3) MAKE SURE THEY TAKE TIME
4) IF THEY DIDN'T GET "THE PICTURE" DON'T FEEL LIKE YOU HAVE TO BUY THE PICTURES-COME BACK!!

Good luck

I had a great experience at Flash! digital photography. They did color and black and white, took tons of pics, let you choose from all the pics on the computer, and they keep them on a website for three months, so you can continue to order for a while after the shoot. Good luck!

I totally agree that it depends on the photographer, not really the place. Most walk-up type places... like Penney's or Sears, Target or WalMart, when they're busy (like before Christmas) can schedule 20 minute sessions. That's next to impossible for a decent shoot, even if you're talking about a child model. Quantity over quality, unfortunately.
For sure, call ahead and see about getting into the slowest spot they have. If you have a good experience with a photographer someplace, get their name, and request them the next time.

And to the original question- I found this photographer that volunteers with Heartworks (http://www.heartworksphoto.org). She's in Grand Rapids, and if that's not your particular end of west MI, maybe she can reccomend someone?

steph

and OH YEAH! I forgot... we'll be in K'zoo in November. Just sayin'.

We have a great digital photography place in Iowa - Flash Photography. They took Brock's 1st photos - and I didn't know it before we walked in for our appt, but they have also taken several of Ds kids in our local support group. They even had one of the kids in their sample photo video and a very large portrait of a girl with Ds in the changing area. That made me feel great! They just recently contributed to our Buddy Walk silent auction. I also agree though - that a lot depends on the photographer who is working when you are scheduled.

Thanks Steph!

It just so happens that Heart Works took his first professional photo - his 6 months - this photo.



There is a lady who is holding him under the tarp. They were terrific, but I didn't know that they had a local volunteer. Thanks for the info. I think I'll start with her. Heart Works is an awesome organization. They take photos of children who are hospital bound. They have costumes and props, but I went with a traditional since it was a milestone.

Gwen

What a handsome fellow!!!! He is a real doll!!!!

Oh, Gwen! That cardigan is adorable... but not as cute as Mr. Nicholas there. I've totally used the 'parent as seating' trick before, but with little ones that were seperation anxiety-ish. Works like a charm, mostly.

Good luck with finding what you're looking for in a photographer- I hope it goes smoothly!
steph

Thanks everyone! We will be doing something - what?, dunno - next week. We want them back before his birthday party on the 14th. After a long discussion w/ DH, we are thinking that maybe we'll go with Sadie's after all and just deal with the cost. We want a really good 1st photo and they said that they would be able to handle it.....that and they have a scene that would be excellent for special outfit. I will keep looking over the weekend in case there is something better.

I say find a local photographer in town who has his/her own studio. There is a book at the library called "Photographing Children with Special
Needs". Either check it out and loan it to them or read it yourself to give them tips . Either way, someone with their own studio will take their time and usually take 100s of shots... then you can get pics like this:

Those are adorable!! We ended up at Sadies. You can view his photos from the Photo group or go to:
http://www.photoreflect.com/scripts/prsm.dll?eventthumbs?event=Y40502KZ&b=0&t=-1&start=0&password=sonday

I love the 'hanging out the wash' one! Kind of a Petticoat Junction feel to it.

I have had great pictures made at Sears and I have walked out of Sears without ever having a picture made. It all depends on the person snapping the pictures and how they relate to your child. I had a lady at The Picture People in VA that was wonderful until she smiled and she had rotten teeth. Then my child was terrified of her. I love to go to The Picture People because they have great props and you get to take the pictures right then. We don't have one here so I use Sears. I now know to go on a Sunday afternoon and have the asst. mgr. take the pictures. Good luck and be sure you let us see them.

Kayla