Professional Photos - Why is it so Stressful?

Why is it so difficult to find a good place that stays open to take pictures?  I have still have an issue with Portrait Innovations and it seems to start irking me about this time every year now.  They herd them in like cattle to take the pictures and then make you wait 2 to 3 hours to view them on a computer and decide what you want to order.  This is even with an appointment.  I have been taking our pictures this year at Sears Photo Studio and I have like the service they give and when there are issues on-line their customer service is very prompt and treat you nice, always a big plus in my book.  There is still an issue though.  They seem to take one picture of each pose and if it isn't perfect, oh well, on to the next pose or outfit.  They also charge a lot for their "enhancement" photos that only take them minutes to create.  At my last sitting I wanted a head shot of Katelynn in an 8 x 10 photo and the photo was a little off centered so I asked them to fix it. The manager helping me stated that it would be an enhancement to the photo and they should charge accordingly, but she would do it without charging.  I kept my mouth shut, but wanted to state the fact that it was the photographer that took the shot and it wasn't centered.  So, I have yet to decide which is better, option 1 where the photographer takes 100 pictures for you to weed through and you get a couple of good shots or Option 2 where they take a few specific poses and you still get a couple of good shots?  I also have noticed that all the photographers that we have used in the last couple of years have not positioned us for the photo.  They may tell us where to sit and who should sit where, but as far as, chin up, look a little left, fix the hair that is out of place.  What happened to that or is that now only if you pay a really large fee for that photographer that may make us go broke when we want to buy all the prints?
We will be gearing up soon to go and take our Christmas pictures.  We do have a plan as a family that we follow now.  We take two vehicles and when the picture taking is done Dan and the kids head for home and I stay and take my time going through and picking out which is the best for the Christmas card.  Wish us luck for 2010 photos!