They don't even layer when the pictures are done- all 3 kids had pictures within the first week of school, with no warning, and no way to plan for the costs, either. It's just a "Here you go, decide now, or don't get them done" sort of deal.
It has been years since I've given in to the temptation to have the school take their pictures. Some years we went to Walmart- where for $8, you get a huge amount of pictures, and you get whatever background you want. But even then, we usually wind up with more than we want, or can give out.
Last year for Christmas, I took some pictures of the kids near the Christmas tree, got 1 good shot, and played around with it. I made it black and white, did selective coloring, added borders, that sort of thing. I then got mutliple 8x10's printed up, bought some nice (but cheap) frame, and gave the grandparents each a framed picture of the three kids.
That was the first time I've done that- today we went out and did it again. I'm planning to pick 1 nice picture of them each, and 1 nice picture of them together, and get 5 x 7's printed up and framed for Christmas gifts this year.
Here are some of my better shots.
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I love the one of the kid's leaning on the trees. I did a simular shot of my three at an apple orchard a few years back, unfortunately the camera ended up in the river so...lost forever:(
I need to get off my lazy backside and take some decent photos of my kids before they flit off to the ends of the earth. I'll have to remember them somehow eh?
I was hoping to get them lined up, but none of them were too keen on standing how I wanted, but I still like it :) As we were leaving, I found 3 trees in a triangle shape, and had them each stand behind one and peek around, but the kids were barely visible. They didn't turn out, and by then, the kids were so crabby, I just gave up. ;)
I am 100% with you on the cost of school pictures. I have 3 kids too and it just simply was not part of a young families budget during their school years. They charge utterly ridiculous prices for complete crap. Bleh!
I should have known better than to let them take it out on a tree branch over a partially frozen river. THEY can swim...the camera could not!
Crabby kid's always cut short our dreams and goals as mothers eh? I wish it were legal to sedate them at times. Sheeeesh!
When my grandma was alive, she would always pitch in half, but back then, we only had 2 kids in school, so it was already cheaper. That was a big help. Since then, we have never gotten them regularly. Gilly's pre-school year, I got the cheapest package I could, which was a single 5x7, and a few wallets. Not enough to pass out, but I wanted a picture for her first year in school.
I agree with you -- school pics are WAY too expensive. We love Wal-Mart, but we also like to make our own at home (for the cost of prints only!).
I've been doing that myself for years now.
I like the one of Chris looking up at the camera, but they are all great ones!
This is such a great idea! I bet the kids will remember this with joy instead of as a boring chore like getting a professional portrait is. I'm going to set up a date with my kids to do this too when it cools down a bit more.
Priscilla, I think that's my favorite picture today as well. I didn't even want him in that pose, he just plopped down, and since I was already standing, I took a few snaps of it. After that one, he started doing a bug eyed thing, and they weren't as cute as the first. ;)
Thanks everyone! I like how they turned out. There were several duds, but I got more than enough to get some good prints. :)
Bridget, I recommend it :) It was fun (ok, it wasn't fun WHILE I was doing it, but I'm glad I did do it!). ;)
Thanks everyone! I've started editing some, and will post those soon ;)
I did this last year with my boys. We went on a "cool tree" hunt! Found a great one and there was lots of snow....I was really happy with how they turned out. So were the grandparents!
Great job!