Getting in the Gift-Giving Picture : If you’re struggling over ideas for presents, a family portrait can be a great gift that will be valued for many years.
Family portraits are always a wonderful gift, but are usually the result of careful advance planning. With new computer tech nologies, however, a family or a child’s portrait can be a last-minute gift--and one that will be treasured for generations.
Recently, I researched several of these portrait studios and found one in the Glendale Galleria that offers quality at a good price--Portraits & Memories. Women are given a professional makeup make-over and a quick hairstyling before the private photo session. Five poses are taken, and one of them can be a glamour pose with the usual glitter and boas. And, if you wish, you can change clothes and props five times. The session takes about half an hour, and within one hour the prints are ready. There is no additional sitting fee.
The package prices range from $39.95 to $314.95. The basic package consists of two of the five poses: one 8-by-10, one 5-by-7 and four wallet-sizes of each of the two poses for $39.95. On the high end, the $314.95 package includes an 8-by-10 of all five poses, a 5-by-7 and four wallet-size prints of each pose, plus an impressive framed 24-by-36 portrait. Eliminate the framed portrait, and you’ve got The Show Stopper package for $149.95, which is probably the best deal in the house.
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During the holidays, the Christmas special, for $19.95, offers one 8-by-10, one 5-by-7 and four wallet-size photos of one pose. Seven or eight poses are shot, and the best five poses are printed for your selection.
Manager Heidi Cadwallader runs a happy ship. The technicians are pleasant and helpful and, unlike some fast-photo operations, the studio uses no hard-sell tactics. The quality of the work is excellent.
There’s a sweet sale this weekend at The Clothing Factory, which is the Reseda outlet for a local manufacturer of medium-priced women’s apparel. With a purchase of $50 or more, you receive a gift certificate for a one-pound box of See’s candies.
Everything will be priced at wholesale this weekend only. The highest-priced item in the store is $19, for a voluminous velvet skirt now in the stores for $40 to $50. A dolman-sleeved V-neck top to match is $16. These come in some wonderful colors--burgundy, black, forest green, amber, brown, red and navy.
Many comfortable and easy-care styles in cotton knits are on the racks. Sweat shirts that regularly sell for $15 to $20 are $6 each, or two for $10. What a great way to fill the gift list and the candy dish at the same time!
Where and When What: Portraits & Memories. Location: 1184 Glendale Galleria, Lower level (near Robinsons-May; enter parking structure on West Colorado Street. Hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays. Cards: MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Discover. Call: (818) 246-1422.
What: The Clothing Factory. Location: 6831 Tampa Ave., Reseda. Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. today, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Cards: MasterCard, Visa, American Express. Call: (818) 609-7219
