Enchanted Fairies of Hamden, CT — Local services in Hamden

September 2023-Photographer was great. She met me at the door when she noticed I was having difficulties finding store. She worked with me to wear my outfit and theirs. She complemented and provide helpful information. She helped me adjust their dress since I had a bilateral mastectomy and recostruction. She offer to assist anyway she could. She took lots of pictures. It was a lot of fun. I can't wait to see the pictures.

November 2023- They are here to make a profit. They say that you donate $25 to a charity and get a free 8x10. I had other photography sessions charge $25 for a sitting fee and the person gets a free 8x10. What’s the difference? The set and props are small, but efficient. The dresses are lovely. The photographers know what pictures to take for the company. They were polite and friendly. Then you start seeing red flags. The photographer only takes the pictures and then schedule the meeting. They are not the marketing or sales team. (It’s not OKC. My best educated guess is Plano, Texas.) There were no prices revealed until the mandatory Zoom viewing session to receive the free 8x10. Their storybooks range from $3,000 to $3,500 depending if it is the 10x10 (7 poses) or 12x12. The cheapest portrait is the 8x10 for $200. Their portrait collections range from $3,500 to $7,300. Digital photo is $500/photo, but you can get 16 discounted to $4,800 or 25 discounted to $7,300. This is not affordable for new mothers. They did not pressure me like they could a new mother because the picture was me (maybe one of their oldest customers). (I did it just for the fun of it.) I could have sworn the representative had promise me a larger portrait or another one beside the free 8x10. There is no documentation of prices or receipt. I marked the calendar when she said it would arrive. Sure enough, I had to check on the status. It was like they had dropped the ball on the free 8x10 since there were not additional purchase. When asked if I chose my favorite pose for the 8x10, I responded “yes”. They then kept me updated on the status until the delivery. Federal Express delivered it in a cardboard box in the rain. It is like the picture is glued to a black acrylic board. I chose the unicorn and treasure chest. There are a several “magical fairy lights” and the chest was barely glowing. This is enhanced artistic workmanship that they are charging so much for. You have no idea what it will look like until you get the finished product. They did pack it well in a sealed plastic covering and then that in a sealed plastic covering on top of cardboard and thin foam layer. I just have a hard time convincing myself that the 8x10 is worth $200. It is worth $25. The 8x10 took about 2 months to arrive. As a mother who had sons, it was hard narrowing down the selection, and I often over bought. If you are like this, stay clear so you don’t have to tell your daughter “no” or not get all the cute pictures of your cute...

Took my grandchildren there shortly after Christmas day in preparation for a late gift for family members. Couldn't have asked for a better experience for the children or myself. Fred, the photographer, is definitely a pro at his craft. I was especially worried that my 2 yr-old, who has been subject to sitting through entire photo sessions without cracking even a hint of a smile, would predictably deliver the same attitude through this session as well. Amazingly, Fred not only got her to smile and laugh, he also made it a fun experience for her. We were in and out of our session in an hour. Because of the effective way the clothes were constructed I was able to get 2 children dressed and the shoot taken with each child individually and together without feeling overly pressured or rushed. The clothing selections are beautiful and, most importantly, clean with not a hint of dirt on them. It's important to note that at the time this review is being written I haven't been able to see the finished product yet. A viewing session has been scheduled a week out via Zoom with another staff that will allow me to see the results from the shoot. I'll update this review following that session as I'm a huge believer that the product is only as good as the service after the sell. However, given my experience so far I highly recommend using Enchanted Fairies for one of the most original children's portrait sessions one could ever have. If the viewing goes as well as the photo session went then these portraits will become lifelong keepsakes for our family. I'll definitely be encouraging other family members and friends to use their service as well!!!

I'm coming back to update my review. Have to say that HANDS DOWN this photo experience had been the BEST I've ever had! The viewing session, we had Tonya, was performed in a professional and friendly manner. The only pressure we felt was self-inflicted due to having to choose which pictures to consider and those to leave behind. By the end of the one-hour session we were able to select a number of pictures that we were satisfied with that came with a price tag well below the $2000-2500 or even $1000 expense that others have posted was part of their package options. We went into the viewing session knowing the limits of our finances and generally stayed within that range.

I've already talked with several people about using Enchanted Fairies for their little ones. I highly recommend the experience for uniquely different photos that will be cherished for several...

Update: Reply to owner. Thank you so much for commenting to my review so quickly and advising I reach out regarding the photo. As stated, it really was a great professional experience, and the photographer as well as your employees are top notch. I've seen so many pictures and was really excited to get ours, so I will reach out to the email below and discuss perhaps an edit. Again, I had wanted to order more portraits because during the zoom viewing of the originals they were all so adorable. I appreciate you responding directly to this review!

After "winning" an enchanted fairies photoshoot with two free portraits, I was so excited to take my daughter! We went at the end of August. The photographer was awesome! He was great with my 5 year old, knew how to speak with her so she'd understand what to do, and I loved that he asked me and my husband to do any costume touch ups on my daughter, vs him just touching her costume, or her in general at all. The prices are absolutely insane. I was actually considering getting more and setting up a payment plan, because speaking to Bianca on the zoom call was great! She was amazing from beginning to end. But, I just recieved my two free portraits and I'm actually a bit disappointed. My daughter's facial color has been edited to where she looks kind of sickly compared to the original. I also chose a pose where her bare feet are sticking out, as the photographer intended, and they were edited out :( . That was the main reason I chose that photo. But hey, it was free and it is really cool overall! I am just glad I saw these before I went and paid a bunch of money for additional portraits.

Overall, it was a really good experience, though! The photographer, I believe Miguel, and Bianca whom I spoke with on the phone, were both top tier. Both were so nice and laid back. The dress and props were gorgeous.

But the cost, and quality of the finished product, is what led to my 3 star. If prices were lowered, I would've given a 4-5 star because well, some photos don't always get edited like you'd think! But for what they'd want for more than the one free 8x10 (I am very happy I got two with the promotion I won!), it's way too pricey. Again, just not thoroughly impressed with how my daughters face color was edited too much and she looks like she's fighting an illness...I assure you,...