The cost of baby photos
By Cynthia E. Brodrick • Bankrate.com

Kids grow so fast that those precious baby days are gone in a flash. Thankfully, you can capture your child in a portrait that will last forever. Understanding your photo needs can help you fit the cost of baby photos into your budget.

The first thing to decide is where to go for the portraits.

While specialty photographers usually offer high quality artistic pictures, they cost a lot more than at a national chain, which often offers affordable large packages of prints.

One option is to use these two types of studios at different times. Consider how many portraits you want done over the next few years. A less expensive studio will do for your quick photo needs and help you to save for an artistic portrait of your darlings.

"Budgets do make people prioritize," says Christine Haslet, a Seattle photographer who specializes in baby photos. She acknowledges that inexpensive department store photos have their value but considers her photos an investment.

Karen Siwik, a mother of one in Norristown, Pa., sees advantages to both types of portrait studios. The latestphotos of her son Daniel were taken at Sears because of ease of location, speed and convenience. "With Sears, you get what you pay for," she says, "a decent photograph for an inexpensive price, yet no personal service."

Siwik reminds us that more expensive portrait studios offer advantages the national chains do not. "The quality is much better, plus you and the child don't have to wait in long lines," she says.

Pretty as a picture
Once you've selected a type of studio or even a particular photographer, it's time to check the prices and deals. You'll discover two sets of fees and a variety of discounts.

Some photographers charge a sitting fee, the cost for actually taking the picture.

About $50 is common among private studios. Some shutterbugs may charge more for special locations or hauling all their equipment to your home. National chains generally charge $10 for a sitting fee, yet they often offer coupons to avoid the fee altogether.

Sears and Olan Mills have downloadable coupons on their Web sites. Remember to check for locally advertised specials as well.

After paying (or not) for the picture to be taken, it's time to lay out cash for the prints. Generally, you can buy various size portraits individually or as a predetermined package of portraits. Don't forget all of the grandparents, uncles and aunts.

Prices for individual shots and packages range all over the place, again depending on the type of photo studio you choose. With a coupon from the Sears Portrait Studio, you can get 49 photos for less than $10. For this price, you won't get a choice of poses.

At the other end of the spectrum, Christine in Seattle only sells her portraits individually, and she requires a minimum purchase of $200. Her 5 x 7s cost $48. Before dismissing a pricey picture-taker, investigate the quality and services he or she offers. It may be worth the dough. You get selection, personal attention and archival quality photos, which means they won't fade over time. In other words, your great-great grandchildren can enjoy them.

Join the club

Because of the dramatic changes that babies go through in their first year, many parents like to have portraits taken at three months, six months, nine months and a year. Like most things, buying in bulk can save you money. Most studios offer some sort of saver's club, where for one membership fee, parents can save on sitting fees and get reduced rates for frequent visits.

Frank Donnino in Boynton Beach, Fla., offers such a club in his studio. For a one-time $79 sitting fee, parents can have their babies' pictures taken every three months up to a year.

Getting regularly updated portraits of your little one isn't necessarily cheap or easy. However, something that reminds you of that adoring face and this innocent time will be something to treasure forever. Don't forget to make your budget and shop around. Then you can get busy showing off your baby to co-workers, friends, store clerks and any stranger that stops long enough.

Myra Cristobal also contributed to this story.

-- Updated: Aug. 4, 2003