Pixifoto - anyone used them?

Has anyone used Pixifoto? Especially Westgate? I want to get photos of Jack and the three of us done for his first birthday. We can't afford the $250+ sitting fee plus print costs that professional photographers charge. So our best option is Pixifoto. Have you had good/bad experiences?

saw there was a mothers day special on at warehouse one at SP ....maybe they have specials up in wstgate too?

they cost a bomb and havent worked out how to do digi photos yet...we used the other one they own in botany for preggy ones....havent had ellas done...

what about those ones that always advertise at the shows...like vivid etc? bet they cost the same at end of day

They are great if you can get the free sitting free. I've heard that they have finally gone digital!

Then they turn into evil photog's. Especially when you go to pick the photos up. Be very careful.. before you know you'll be walking out fo there $300 down..

yeah that PB one keeps sending me random texts abot photos for starship hospital fundraising...but its like every month????

yeah i knew there would be a catch to it...

there is also one around here that is a SAHM who runs business i think...Maree Turner photographer...does families etc....maybe try her as it looks like she travels around a bit too....

Yeah Nikki, I meant to get her to do some of the girls but never got around to it. Oh well, maybe when Iggle Piggle arrives.

Yep I have used the Palmy ones. I prefer the PP ones over PF in Palmy - reminds me I need to book Josh's 12 month one.

We hated our pixie photo's session. I won't bother with them again - even for the free pics.

It was uncomfortable and they put us in unnatural positions. They tried really hard to get my daughter to smile which just upset her and then made rude comments about her (as if my daughter being scared of starngers acting weird is a bad thing) then asked us which photo we wanted free without even showing us any test shots so we had no idea which ones would look good (although if they're digital now that'll be better).

They make their money on the fact that most parents feel inclined to buy pics of their own kids but since DH and I have taken better pics despite not being photographers we didn't bother buying any extras.

In contrast we went to a studio to have some pics done a few weeks later and they were fabulous - we had such a fun photo shoot and it shows in the finished product which everyone comments on when they enter our home - unfortunately that one cost us $1,600.

Personally, and I have several friends who had similar experiences ...PixiFotos are a total rip off! For instance, I won some voucher for a 16" x 20" photo and sitting free, so I took up the offer. They sit you on a cheap block of wood with sheet of satin over it ...they took various shots so they could try sell me a bunch of photos for $390 on special down from $1000 ...WTF - $1000? ...they didn't even turn out great and the thing that got me, was the photographer was a girl that was 2 years younger than me (and a close friend of bubs pr*ck of a father) ...so she was 17/18yo at the time, just out of school ....and I thought they were suppose to be professional photographers? ....the photos were just average, only took the free one!

I've seen pixifotos with the arms of parents included in photo (when they are assisting baby in sitting up)- totally shocking.

All I can say is that good feedback about pixifotos seem to be few and far between, they are not only overpriced, but you can also get WAY better photos at home of your child where they are far more comfortable- you can get creative with b/grounds and props & have them enlarged. I'll prob never pay for professional ones again, I can do a better job myself.

And word of advice, I wouldn't go to Manukau Pixifoto in the warehouse there ...

Not a fan here either- use the money to buy a big white sheet, a bright light bulb and a big memory stick and go nuts with the digital camera! We got them done with Charlotte and they just look cheesy and dated. Not at all flattering of any of us!
We bit the bullet and forked out for proper professional ones and the difference in the quality for me was worth every penny.

Edited by Jennz