JC Penney Portrait Studios offers professional portrait photography services, including family photos, children's portraits, and printed products. RetailCoupons.com's review page provides shoppers' honest feedback on their experiences at this photography service, helping you understand what to expect before booking your session.
JC Penney Portrait Studios Reviews
2.5
19 reviews
What Shoppers Say About JC Penney Portrait Studios
Created with AI, based on recent reviews
JC Penney Portrait Studios receives highly polarized reviews, with shoppers either praising individual photographers or expressing serious frustration with management and service. Positive reviewers consistently highlight specific photographers like Wesley and Raven, noting their skill at posing, background selection, professionalism, and ability to work well with children. These satisfied customers report stress-free experiences and long-term loyalty to particular staff members.
Negative reviews cite unprofessional management, disorganization, poor customer service, aggressive upselling of add-ons, scheduling failures, and quality issues with final products. Common complaints include rude staff behavior, long wait times despite confirmed appointments, lack of accountability for booking errors, and concerns about overall cleanliness and professionalism. The stark divide in ratings suggests the quality of experience depends heavily on which location and photographer a customer works with.
Customer Reviews (19)
Sorted by: Most recentSusan G.Dec 3, 2024
The studio in that Louisiana city ruined my sister's 90th birthday photos. They kept her there for hours, gave her only two bland background options with no real character, and the only prop was a cheap plastic flower. The top of her head got cut off in the framing. They advertised special pricing that they took back once she'd decided what to order. When we asked if they could reprint the digital files so her hair would actually be in the picture, they basically told us to go somewhere else. The photography was really subpar and the customer service was even worse.
Marcus T.Nov 28, 2024
My 21st birthday photo session was really disappointing. The photographer just seemed to point and shoot without much thought or creativity. I honestly think I could've done a better job myself. I won't be going back. They used to offer some interesting ideas, but now it's just pick a backdrop, sit down, and pose in the chair while they snap away. Nothing special about it.
Kevin S.Mar 24, 2024
Had family portraits taken there. The quality was great and the cost was really reasonable.
Michelle L.Mar 24, 2024
Got some family photos done here and they turned out really nice. The pricing was fair too.
Rachel V.Mar 7, 2024
I was really looking forward to getting Valentine's photos of my son, and the photographer was super willing to work with what I wanted. Unfortunately, all the pictures turned out pixelated and blurry. For the price, they should be way better quality. I downloaded them from the online platform, posted to social media, and realized how bad they looked. When I tried ordering physical copies, it kept warning about low quality, but I ordered them anyway. Every single one is blurry and pixelated. Why spend that much money for such terrible results? I'm never going back.
Lisa M.Nov 27, 2023
We had a 3:30 family portrait appointment and arrived on time, but didn't leave until 6:30. Three hours of waiting with zero explanation about what was happening was really frustrating. There were only two photographers handling everything including taking photos, reviewing them, and calling customers back. The young man who took our pictures was friendly and really helpful, but the guy is overworked. We absolutely love how our portraits turned out, but the studio needs to improve their wait times and pricing.
Jennifer K.Nov 25, 2023
We had our family Christmas portraits done at a local mall location in New Jersey. The photographer was fantastic and took incredible pictures while being incredibly patient and fun to work with. The front desk team members also went above and beyond to make sure everything went smoothly and we felt welcomed. These folks really deserve recognition for how hard they work. Thanks so much!
Amanda H.Oct 30, 2023
Katrina at the mall studio did an incredible job with us. She was so patient and kind throughout the whole session. My child has some sensory issues that make it tough to sit still and adjust to new situations, but she handled everything with such grace and understanding. I'd book with her again in a heartbeat. The photos came out amazing, and honestly, she deserves a raise for the quality of work she delivers.
Margaret C.Apr 18, 2022
We set up our appointment for the first slot of the morning to avoid long waits since we had a toddler. We arrived early as instructed, but there was another family there who apparently also booked the first slot. With only one photographer working, she started with their session, and we were still waiting 40 minutes after our scheduled time. We finally left, and she still wasn't finished with the first family. She never came over to let us know what the wait would be like. She just ignored us completely. The studio used to be better, but it's declined a lot. Don't trust that your appointment time means anything here.
JC Penney Portrait Studios Review FAQ
Why does JC Penney Portrait Studios have such different reviews?
Quality varies significantly by location and photographer. Reviewers with positive experiences frequently mention specific staff members by name and describe excellent service, while negative reviews often focus on management issues, scheduling problems, and inconsistent staff professionalism.
What do satisfied customers praise most?
Shoppers consistently highlight individual photographers' expertise with posing and background selection, their ability to keep children comfortable and engaged, professional demeanor, and the stress-free experience they provide. Several customers report returning regularly to work with the same photographer.
What are the most common complaints?
Recurring issues include disorganized scheduling and appointment mismanagement, rude or dismissive management behavior, aggressive sales pressure for add-ons, long wait times despite confirmed bookings, and concerns about product quality and staff professionalism.
Would shoppers recommend JC Penney Portrait Studios?
Recommendations depend entirely on location and photographer. Five-star reviewers strongly recommend returning to their specific photographer, but one-star reviewers advise against the service due to poor management and inconsistent quality. Research your specific location before booking.
How should I approach booking a session?
Ask specifically about photographer availability when booking, and if possible, request your session with the same photographer as previous satisfied customers at your location. Confirm your appointment details in writing and arrive early to ensure your reserved time slot is honored.