30 Portraits for $7.99

[Steve Paxton]

---------------------
My wife and I were able to hand the kids off to grandma for the weekend so we set out for Walmart at zero-dark-thirty this morning to get started on our Christmas shopping. My kids are 5 and 7 so it's pretty easy to find gifts for them that don't break the bank. Let me see, for starters.... a Tonka helicopter, some Hot Wheels and a dinosaur for my son - a DS game, earrings and necklaces for my daughter... :)

As we were checking out I noticed that Walmart's portrait studio was offering "30 Portraits for $7.99." I walked over to see if there was a catch and couldn't find one. I think the $7.99 includes the session too. Obviously, I am not competing with Walmart for portrait business (well, I guess I am to some extent) - they are cookie cutter portraits for folks not interested in anything but photos just slightly better than snapshots. If you do the math on what they are offering, it's hard to believe that they make any money on the deal. I am sure they try to up sell their customers (loss leader), but still... it's crazy!

[attachment=0:1ibgleq3]2009-12-12-07.47.30.jpg[/attachment:1ibgleq3]

The best part comes next! I am always taking pictures with my camera phone, more-or-less to remind myself of things I see. In this case, moments after taking the picture (above), I was contacted by a store manager and sternly warned, "You can't take photographs inside of Walmart - it's store policy." She gave me a look like she was going to try to confiscate my cell phone, but abruptly walked off instead. I couldn't help but laugh out loud as she left. :) It's funny that you can be treated so rudely after spending $125 on Christmas gifts.

BTW - It's possible that Walmart's picture taking policy may have something to do with satirical blogs like this (http://www.peopleofwalmart.com/) (viewer discretion advised). More on this here (http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1919401,00.html).

[Ludwig]

BTW - It's possible that Walmart's picture taking policy may have something to do with satirical blogs like this (http://www.peopleofwalmart.com/) (viewer discretion advised). More on this here (http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1919401,00.html).

ROTFL! Sorry!
Oh man, I love it! This is the best Page still before Photoshop Disasters. :lol:
I absolutely must visit the United States. :D

BTW: And Harvey (http://www.peopleofwalmart.com/?p=6174) buys also in the Walmart .

[Chipe]

I had a friend that went to the Target "studio" recently and I hated the outcome of what they did for her and her family. Of course they went there because it was so cheap. Its like $2 per print and no sitting fee. Like you said though, its slightly better then a snap shot. But where Target makes their money is if you want to buy a digital copy (CD) its $100. But most just want prints. I didnt like the outcome at all. I kinda look at it like anything else. People get their hair done for $10 and some get it done for over $100. Whats the difference? Is there even one? If your into hair I am sure there is. But I am pretty much hairless on my head. There are cookie cutter businesses for almost every business. What do you get from a professional? Their time and talent and experience and ability to get you a product that looks 100 times better then Walmart or Target.

[Michael]

I find it funny that they hassled you about taking pics with a cell phone camera, I've gone into the one by me with a DSLR and a flash and taken pictures without anyone saying anything.