Enchanted Fairies of Seattle, WA — Attraction in Seattle

Initial Impression (BEFORE we knew the full story):

The photographer, Shayne, was amazing with my 4-year-old daughter. He knew exactly how to talk with her — making age-appropriate jokes, gently guiding her into poses, and never approaching her without explaining what he was doing first. She was totally mesmerized by the experience and is still talking about it days later. It honestly felt magical. The entire vibe in the studio seemed enchanting and special — and we drove over an hour to get there. At that point, I thought it was absolutely worth it.

They also strongly encouraged us to leave a review while still in the studio, before we had seen a single photo or heard anything about pricing. Of course, like many others, I left a glowing review based solely on how sweet and fun the session was — because I had no idea what was coming later. It’s clear now that this is very intentional. You're prompted to give public praise before any of the real sales tactics and pricing are revealed.

But here’s what they don’t tell you…

** EDIT 1:

At no point during the online booking process are you ever shown photo or product pricing. They lure you in with a low “sitting fee” — or whatever they choose to call it — for $25. Throughout the checkout, several pop-ups offer “exclusive deals” and “one-time-only pricing” that supposedly won’t come around again. I opted for what was advertised as a digital copy of the portrait I’d choose — for the low-low price of $47.

But after checking my receipt, it turns out what I purchased is actually listed as a "web shareable" photo, which strongly implies it’s not full-resolution — nowhere near what you’re led to believe you’re buying. Even worse, my bank statement now shows it as a recurring payment, which was never disclosed at checkout. It absolutely better not be recurring — because that’s not what I agreed to.

Just trying to get all the facts out there so others can make an informed decision before getting swept up like we did. I'm also attaching a copy of the price list as it stands today — a page you're never led to during the booking process. Honestly? You’d have to be wealthy to afford these packages.

** EDIT 2:

Be warned — they encourage you to "invite everyone to the viewing — friends, family, even the child in the photos", all in an effort to build up emotional hype and pressure you into buying one of their wildly overpriced packages. These packages are not listed anywhere on their website and are only revealed during your one-time-only viewing session.

We brought our 4-year-old daughter to the viewing, and of course, she loved every photo. But of the 30+ beautiful images taken, the cheapest package — starting at $1700 — included rights to only 7 photos. No prints. No book. No canvas. No frames. Just the digital rights. That’s it.

My husband felt completely trapped — like we’d break our daughter's heart if we walked away empty-handed. It was a highly emotional and manipulative setup. Well played, Enchanted Fairies… well played.

To make matters worse, the “free session” and “free 8x10” that got us in the door? Never mentioned again. When I started asking about other options or questioned the pricing, the tone shifted. The staff became uncomfortable and borderline offended.

And that "free 8x10" and the extra "$47 digital copy"? We never received either of them. Didn’t get my $47 back either… just paid over $1700 + tax for photo-only rights. We now have to pay someone else to print, frame, and display the photos ourselves.

What they’re doing feels like emotional blackmail — grossly taking advantage of families who just want to celebrate their kids. It’s misleading at best, predatory at worst.

Want me to change my review? I need a full refund in...

Predatory company-Gerry and Savannah are awful. Advertised as a free experience AD on Facebook, when you actually signup they ask for a “charitable” $25 per child. No prices are ever given up front. The websites are purposefully confusing as you are sent to a booking site initially vs the actual site w/ no pricing. The photographer Shayne was great but when we asked about pricing he said he didn’t know anything about it and the company would go over everything during an hour long zoom meeting. What? That was the first red flag. The clothing and cleanliness was the other. The 2T purple dress was so dingy and had a hole in the front and the pants had a hole on the butt. So unsanitary. During the photos I had to keep adjusting the front of the dress so the hole didn’t show. (The bathroom also hadn’t been cleaned in I don’t know how long, the toilet had an orange thick ring inside it and counters were filthy.) They refuse to answer your texts or emails to cancel your order after they initially send you a zoom meeting link. I tried to cancel the day after Gerry pressured us into a $2750.50 purchase for 9 digital files and 2 “free books”. The highest package was $4800 which is “40% off”. He said the only way to have pictures of MY kids is to buy during this timed zoom meeting otherwise we’d pay $500 PER DIGITAL FILE. He said the order can’t be canceled once it’s shipped but then Savannah claimed that their actual policy is it can’t be cancelled ever and I have to meet again via zoom to adjust the order where they just offer you more photos but refund you nothing. They make you meet via another zoom meeting to adjust your existing order which is weeks to months out in weird times of the day or they will not do anything. Here's the catch it takes 6-8 weeks to get your order, so if you're waiting weeks to meet during an off time for ANOTHER zoom meeting, what happens then? They refuse to provide any legitimate customer service and pressure you into over priced packages. They harass you once you tell them you are going to file a claim against their company with versions of the same message over and over via text and email trying to get you to schedule the zoom meeting which fixes nothing but wastes more of your time. They claim this is fine art and artistry, it is far from it. Find another photographer, do not use this predatory company. They should be ashamed and are crooks and liars. Using pictures of your babies and children as leverage and lying about sneaky policies and high pressure timed sales is...

Update: Three months and no portrait. This place is a scam. If you win anything from them, ignore it and run. Terrible, terrible to deal with...

Could be a good idea, but unfortunately Enchanted Fairies turns out to be a nightmare for adults.

I brought my daughter in for a "free" photo sitting that I had won from one of their giveaways. This "prize" also includes a free print from that session. I was told the sitting was free, but Enchanted Fairies had to charge me a deposit that would be refunded after the sitting to hold my daughter's place. This seemed shady to me, but I was told to either do it or my daughter doesn't get her session and print.

I paid the fee and scheduled her appointment. The actual shoot was great. The photographer was awesome and we all had a great time. Many shots were taken that day.

After that, it was time to schedule a reveal date. I expected my deposit back after scheduling that appointment, but I actually had to email Enchanted Fairies AFTER the reveal appointment to ask for my deposit back. What they didn't forget to do is keep trying to upsell me, making the lack of deposit refund even more annoying.

The reveal was okay. The products are all super overpriced, and once Enchanted Fairies realized we were just looking for the prize we won at this time, we became little more than a number. During the Zoom reveal appointment, the lady clearly became far less interested in us at this point. It felt more like a just rush us through the process thing.

We were told the print we had chosen would be shipped to us in 6-8 weeks. That was in February. It is now the end of June, and I still have no print or any contact from this company. Their response to my email simply asked for my correct address so they could ship it out as quickly as possible.

As quickly as possible? Shouldn't that have been months ago when we were promised it? Now, it's even more waiting for something that should be hanging on my wall right now.

I would say avoid this company like covid. Their overpriced photoshhopping is not worth the shady business practices, lying, and poor customer service you may receive. Or, maybe they just treat giveaway winners who simply want their prize differently.

Update Enchanted Fairies claimed my daughter's print was shipped out, but there was something wrong with address. That seems to be a common excuse they use based on...