The Sears photo shoot is an American tradition that is now optimized with internet technology. Instead of receiving physical proofs of portraits taken by their professional photographers, images can be viewed online and purchased over and over. An unlimited number of your own personal photos can be added to the account as well. Sharing is an additional convenience that eliminates the need to order copies for the whole family. Invitations can be sent to guests and they can order the prints they want.
Sears also preserves photo tradition by offering 35mm film development and classic portrait prints.
Sears Portrait is the companion site to Sears Photos. This site provides many added services, including restoration, photo collages, composites, enhancements, fine art renderings and many more professional services. Currently, personal photos can only be added to Sears Portrait accounts by submitting a CD and scheduling an in-store session.
If you are a digital imaging rookie, you may want to check out the glossary for descriptions of general features found on photo and video sites, and for some insight into basic industry terms.
[#Unique#]
Professional Sears portraits added to your account
35mm film developing
Many quality products and services available through Sears Portrait
Photo Companions – special borders and layouts for prints with poems, graphics and personalization
Smile Saver – a package of unlimited photo shoots in Sears studios
Magical Effects and other photo effects
[#Membership#]
Membership allows you all the basic benefits of other photo sites plus Sears portraits are added.
[#Drawbacks#]
Photos are arranged in sessions or rolls, maintaining the aura of traditional photography and allowing easy location of professional sessions. However, photos cannot be arranged in customized albums.
Products and professional services are only available through Sears Portraits and require an in-store appointment.
Prints are expensive.
[#Uploading#]
Only basic uploading is available. You must select each photo individually. Sears will upload the portraits taken in the studio.
Upload Speed*
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Fast
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upload speed, modem is a T1 modem.
[#Storage#]
Although an unlimited amount of photos can be stored on Sears Photos, albums cannot be organized and product selection for personal photos is limited.
[#Products#]
Sears Photos offers prints and film for purchase. Sears Portrait offers many more products, like beautiful blankets and wall hangings. These products are available using portraits taken by Sears. They have just introduced the ability to use personal photos with these services, but photos cannot be uploaded to Sears Portrait. A CD must be brought in by appointment.
[#Prints#]
Prints are only available in 3 x 5 through 8 x 10 sizes through Sears Photo. Sears Portrait, the supplemental website, offers more sizes and printing options, but only for portraits, not for personal photos.
Borders and captions can be added to prints.
[#Sharing#]
Only entire sessions (albums) can be shared, not individual photos. An email is sent to the recipient who clicks the link to your session to view the photos. The guest must create an account to order prints.
[#Privacy#]
Sears Photos is a completely private site. No one can view your albums without an invitation.
