3 Ways to Save Money on School Pictures

It’s that time of year again.  I have already been hit up for school pictures as well as soccer pictures.  And I have a confession to make.

I caved.

Yes, I have now shelled out a grand total of $75 for school pictures. $29 for each of the kids for one of the smallest packages, then $17 for Buddy’s soccer pictures.

Yeah. I know.

Honestly though, I could have just gotten the class/team pictures.  I do think those are worthwhile-I love looking back at my old 2nd grade photos and seeing the clothes, and what everyone looked like back then.  Then I could have implemented some other cost saving measures to get something very similar to a school photo for the kiddos~but it became a time vs money issue for me.

We have the money so I decided to go ahead and just purchase them.

But I feel guilty.

So what else could I have done? What other options are out there if it really just isn’t in the budget?  Here are 3 ways to save money on school pictures.

#1-Take it yourself.

I mean really-which of these do you like more:

I think mine is just as nice as the school photo. I could have done a similar shot to the school photo of him against a solid background.

Need help?  Check out this article over at “Love to Know” with tips on Taking School Pictures. For even more tips, here is a great list of 19 Portrait Tutorials at Digital Photography School.

#2-Find someplace cheaper.

Many retailers and big box stores have small photo studios that ALWAYS seem to be running some sort of deal.  A quick we search brought me up a couple of  examples.  JC Penney had free sitting, an 8X10, 2~5×7’s, 4~3 1/2×5’s and 16 wallets for $7.99.  Walmart had a similar package.

Be careful when using these services.  Typically the FIRST POSE that you say you like (and at Walmart you can’t go back to a previous when you say you don’t like it-they erase it) is the one that gets the package price.  They frequently will take subsequent shots.

First: Make sure that you are not going to be charged a sitting fee for those other shots.

Second: Resist the temptation! The other shots will be SOOOO cute. You will want them all. The photographer will try to upsell you to other packages, add in other shots etc.  Even when you go to pick up your photos they will have some of the other shots in there and you will want to buy them because they are right there, in hard copy. THIS WILL COST YOU.  Resist!

#3-Skip the pictures.

I know, it is practically heresy to say this.  You could just skip the photos all together. If you don’t have them taken, they won’t cost you money.

Just writing this article has inspired me. I am going to attempt to take my own version of the kids school pictures and Buddy’s soccer picture, and then I will post them side by side and see what you all think!

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