Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Picture Me by Walmart
Last week I took the Awesome Blossom to Walmart to try their photo studio, Picture Me. I visited their website to check out their promotions and backgrounds. The backgrounds were nothing to write home about, they looked like the stereotypical cheap studio backgrounds, but they had a huge package for $5.99 so I decided to try it out. I called the studio on Thursday and made an appointment for the next day.

We arrived and got checked in. I was given a book of backgrounds and asked to choose one. The actual studio had more backgrounds than pictured on the website, but none really caught my eye. I choose a pretty plain, watercolor-like background with some brown in it. I had the Awesome Blossom dressed in red & white with a brown, red & white hooded sweater. I also brought along a sock monkey to use as a prop in her photos. I figured if I couldn't find a cute background I'd choose an inoffensive one and showcase the sock monkey theme.

The photographer got the background set up and told me she'd take a couple of shots with the background I chose for the package then move on to some other settings. She wasn't kidding about taking a couple of shots either. She took exactly four shots using the setting I had picked out and spent the rest of the appointment doing what she wanted. When it came time to choose my shot for the package I didn't get the option of using anything she set up. Actually, I didn't even get the option of choosing from all of "my" shots either. I could pick shot one, two or three for the package and that was it. This is the fifth time I've had the Awesome Blossom's photos taken in a studio and the first time I've had my choices restricted.

I wasn't all that thrilled with the rest of the experience either. They have a rule that they won't photograph small children unless the parent is seated on a little stool next to them. From a safety aspect this is great. From a photo aspect it's a disaster. The Awesome Blossom would not smile for this woman. When this happened at JC Penney the photographer and I switched positions. The camera is on a remote anyway and having me out front allowed us to work together to get over a dozen great shots. Here that wasn't an option. Of course we may have gotten some good shots if she would have listened to my suggestion of peek-a-boo rather than waving a stuffed animal in the baby's face. She tried peek-a-boo for about a second, got a half smile and went back to annoying the kid with a toy. I couldn't figure out why she'd abandon a technique just as it started working. She also kept picking up the sock monkey to wave when I clearly wanted it in the shot. By the second background change I had given up and was waiting for it to end.

On the way home from the shot I stopped at Adray Camera in Troy, MI and picked up a couple of photo flood lights. I set up a background and got all of the shots that Walmart couldn't. Next time I'll save my $5.99 and use it toward a $9.99 package at JC Penney.

Picture Me by Walmart in Troy, MI: skip it!

JC Penney Portrait Studio in Troy, MI: go here instead.

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posted by Michelle at Bargains 4 Detroit & Beyond @ 4:20 PM  
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About Me

Name: Michelle at Bargains 4 Detroit & Beyond
Home: Metro Detroit, Michigan, United States
About Me: I'm a first time mom and a life long bargain shopper. I live for the thrill of the clearance rack, I get giddy at the thought of multiple discounts, I love to watch my total go down as my coupons are added up! I cover a little bit of everything for the family from events and attractions to groceries and toys. I'm always looking out for ways to entertain, feed and clothe my family without breaking the bank.
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