Wal-Mart pictureme studios

[doublehmom]

I just have to tell this story. I got a free coupon for a photo package from Wal-Mart and since my daughter just had her 2nd birthday, I thought I would use it. I have a 40d but only black and white backgrounds so I thought I would get some different background pics. Anyway, I saw they had a Canon. I asked what kind it was~she had no clue, it was all covered up but I thought probably a 5d but was a 40d. I asked her what shutter speed she had it on and told me she didn't know what shutter speed, she just pushes the button. She really didn't have a clue. Anyway, you would think WM would teach the basics of photography. And, I should have know better, I could have done a better job. I have gone there and got really awesome pics, I guess I am going to have to invest in some more backgrounds and props. I just wanted to share~thought it was kind of funny.

[doublehmom]

Can anyone tell me where I can get some good backgrounds for pretty resonable? I am going to have to buy a pink one!!!!

[tkbslc]

You know they only charge like $10 for a portrait package, right? And they are supposed to pay trained professionals? This is WAL-MART!! :)

Anayway, it makes sense because they are using studio lights and basic backgrounds. Light will always be the same, so just set up the camera, set it to some known good settings with deep DOF and leave it there.

[natalieegbert]

Yea i dont think the photographers there really do much but push the button they dont change setting or do any of that. I have gotten pictures taken there as well and thankfully they are cheap cuz I have been able to way better myself and Im even cheaper atleast for me anyways.

[zagiace]

She really would not need to know anything. They set the lights up, set the camera (some even lock it so they cannot change the settings) put a marker on the ground and they get the same results every time. the camera operator just has to try to get a good expression.
You can get a roll of seamless pink paper for about $40 at B&H.

[doublehmom]

Thanks, zagiace.

[doublehmom]

Maybe I was thinking she should know more because I saw where my Wal-Mart now does Weddings, etc.

[natalieegbert]

Maybe I was thinking she should know more because I saw where my Wal-Mart now does Weddings, etc.


Walmart does weddings now? WOW! Who would actually have Walmart do there wedding photography?

[zagiace]

Wedding printing, portraits or actual photography?

[doublehmom]

Lots of people would probably have their wedding photograhy done by Wal-Mart. I think it said, we do weddings, parties, etc. I will have to check it out just to make sure.

[[Hyuni]]

I like shopping at Wal-Mart because it saved me from starving when I was in college.
It's funny because when I went to grad school, I felt like I had made it when my roomate and I decided that we could upgrade to Jewel. haha

I don't expect anyone who works at Wal-Mart to know much and rarely ask any questions unless it's "Will you help me find _____" or "Where is the ____?"
If I do ask them anything technical, I wouldn't be offended one bit if they said, "Look... I don't know and I don't get paid enough to care." heh

[stathunter]

They will never do weddings-- does not fit into their business model of quick and easy - they might do formal photos for weddings - which they can turn into a point and click in their "studio".

[doublehmom]

I probably just misread the sign~was chasing my kids. Sorry I even posted!!!

[doublehmom]

WM is doing on location photography, I just got an email. They charge like 500.00 for 4 hours at a wedding. Anyway, I thought I saw that when I was in there.

[doublehmom]

It is on the pictureme.com website. It means that they will come to you to take pics, right? Or maybe I am reading it wrong.

[tkbslc]

WM is doing on location photography, I just got an email. They charge like 500.00 for 4 hours at a wedding. Anyway, I thought I saw that when I was in there.

I am sure their photography service is as professional as the rest of their services. (meaning that it sucks)

[doublehmom]

You are probably right. I hate to hear they are doing it~it might take away some business in my country hometown because I think a lot of people will go there instead of some of the studios in our town.

[OdiN1701]

Anyone who shops at Wal-Mart deserves and gets what they pay for: Crap.

[ryant35]

We got portraits done a few years ago at Walmart with a coupon. It was for a couple printed sheets of 1 pose. Then she pushed to get us to shoot all together and shoot multiple poses just in case. The lady just happened to capture some pretty good expressions on my son's face, so we where forced to pay more for the other poses.

Once we got the prints back a few weeks later, they looked much better on the low resolution monitor right afterwards. Mostly out of focus and the composition was pretty bad.

We got some more done a couple of years later at Sears and they did a much better job and they printed in store.

Of course know that I am a photographer, I wouldn't ever go back to Walmart. Unfortunately I didn't know any better at the time. I only ever shop at Walmart because they are open 1 hour earlier and 1 hour later than Target.