How to Save Money on Family Portraits

Family portraits capture memories and specific times during a family's history. Families take portraits once a year (or every five years), and the cost can add up. However, there are ways to reduce costs and save money on family portraits. Read on to find out how.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Search for online coupons at favorite portrait studios. J.C. Penney, Target and Sears usually offer discount pricing per sheet on their websites.

2. Sign up for email offers and newsletters from portrait studios or photographers. The Picture People periodically sends email offers to customers especially close to children's birthdays.

3. Take family portraits at home using a digital camera. Coordinate the family's colors, redesign a special room's layout and ask a close family friend to take the pictures. Take several pictures to be sure to get more than one to choose from.

4. Print or upload your own photos to save on the per sheet development at traditional portrait studios. Walgreens, Wal-Mart, Shutterfly and Kodak offer digital portrait photograph printing services at a per print price.

5. Use college students studying photography or other fresh and new photographers that typically charge less when starting out or in school in exchange for a good reference/advertising.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a bed sheet as a backdrop for in-home portraits.
• Remember to place the family's faces close together during the at-home portraits and make sure the family looks natural; that's why using a friend instead of a camera timer is beneficial.

Resources

• To get coupons and find a JC Penny location nearby.
• To get coupons and find which Targets have portraits studios.
• To find coupons and portrait studios.
• Use photo processing service for digital photographs.
• Manage digital photos.
• Upload and print photos.

[acam]

on 10/2/2008 Photographers spend tens of thousands of dollars on the equipment in their studios. You really cannot get the same effect at home with you digital camera. JCPenney and places like that are fine but again you are not going to get the personal attention and time that a true professional will give you. My advice...if you can afford a professional, buy from a professional. It may be a cliche but it's true--"You get what you pay for."