JCPenney Portraits — Local services in Frisco

I am giving an overall two stars, but if I could give JAC our photographerfive stars I would. We came in with my 12 day old grandson for our appointment at 1 PM on a Saturday. As soon as we walked in, we noticed it was already unorganized people were everywhere and we checked in for our appointment. They made us wait one hour. We had already fed and changed him thinking that we would be up next like the greeter told us but next was an hour later. I heard her take a phone call Take walk-ins which I think is a big mistake. But corporations want their money money money so there you go.

JAC Is the baby whisperer if you ask me my grandson was trying to wake up and he had poopy We didn’t dare change his diaper because he would’ve had a fit and the photos would’ve been ruined. He is a wonderful photographer with baby skills like a rockstar. My grandson continuously with the utmost patients. Ask for him definitely if you’re getting newborn pictures and I’m sure he’s great with kids as well.

The studio needs to do better as there is one lady checking out people checking Answering the phone. That is ridiculous. You are setting her up for failure. She is sweet as pie and has patience as well but for you guys to make us wait with a newborn for one hour was just ridiculous. Our entire time there was A little more than two hours. Once you pick your favorite pictures, then you have to still wait for the one lady to check you out. I guess you get what you pay for!!!!

Go on Groupon and be prepared to have a coupon because it will save you a lot...

I arrived 15 min early. Upon arrival, everyone was with a customer aside from the manager Trevor who began making phone calls & clutching the phone tightly as if he didn't want me to bother him. I even heard him advising a caller that he was with a customer and he would call them back. He was not assisting anyone. After my appointment time passed (I had been there for 30 mins) I stopped a worker who not wearing a name tag and asked if I was supposed to check in. She rolled her eyes and said yes. I let her know that everyone seemed busy and nobody asked me if I had been helped. She told me I would be next. Our Photographer, Steve, then allowed us to enter the room where my 3 year old ran in circles until I began directing him to stand still & smile. I also posed my other child with no help or direction from Steve. He simply said, "I'm tired" . Once he assured me we had "plenty of "great shots" he walked out of the room and out of the studio entirely. I pulled the "no name tag" employee to the side and asked was I suppose to follow him. She said he is going to the restrooms. After about 10 mins she called me over to show me my pictures. They were dreadful. Every photo except one was of my children looking at me VS the camera. I reluctantly chose one pose of my children, laying on the floor, staring blankly at me so the shoot wouldn't be an entire waste. No background shot was useful. No props were used as promised. I am deeply disappointed in the entire experience. I would not recommend this...

Here’s my reasoning to giving a 1-star review:

My wife and I were so excited to bring our 11-month-old daughter to JCPenney Portraits for our very first family Christmas pictures. Unfortunately, our experience was not as great as we had hoped.

The first photographer assigned to take our photos made the entire process awkward and uncomfortable. He didn’t seem to know how to handle taking pictures of an infant and gave absolutely no direction during the session. Even more concerning, we felt that he was being homophobic toward us as a two-mom family. His demeanor made it seem like he didn’t want to take our photos at all, which was incredibly disheartening during what should have been a special moment for our family.

Thankfully, Zoe, another photographer, stepped in and completely turned the experience around. She was fantastic—professional, kind, and took beautiful photos of our family. We truly appreciate her stepping up and making the best out of an otherwise uncomfortable situation.

That being said, I feel it’s important to mention the issues with the first photographer. Customers, no matter their sexual orientation, gender, or race, should never feel awkward or unwelcome. I believe additional training is needed to ensure all customers are treated with respect and professionalism.

While we did end up with lovely photos thanks to Zoe, the initial experience left a negative impression, and I hope changes are made to avoid this happening to others...