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Went to the one on Overton Rd in Fort Worth, TX. What a nightmare. Customer service? Where? Absolutely a nightmare. Never ever again. No wonder why they don't have a good telephone number at corporate. I will go to Sears like I planned on orginally.
May 12, 2012Was this review helpful to you?
Portrait innovations was fine the first time. But only the first time. I've had horrible experiences several times since then. The customer service at the company is awful. Yes they are trying to sell photos and I don't fault them for that... but cut the crap. I've been there enough to know what deals I'm getting. I want a few photos to print, the 9.95 and the CD. I'm perfectly happy with that package and you're not talking me into $200.
The worst part though... you can go every year and you're gonna end up with the same pictures (just older kids). I hate that. I would much rather spend my money hiring a great photographer who will do a location shoot (or heck, take the photos myself!) and have photos of my kiddos from different locations over their lives. I don't need 15 years worth of my kid on a black/white background posing the same way. Boring.
March 11, 2012Was this review helpful to you?
Bad, bad service, and bad, bad pictures. We won't be going back.
February 09, 2012Was this review helpful to you?
I happened on this page by accident and noticed the large amount of negative comments. Maybe the location makes a big difference, but I have visited three different locations in Missouri and have NOTHING BUT GOOD to say about our experiences. We had a session recently that took an hour and they allowed us a change of clothes. There was NO pressure to buy more than the $10 package and NO pressure to use props and backgrounds we didn't want. In fact, we welcomed suggestions and were given GREAT backgrounds. Nothing is ever cheesy about the pictures and we are very clear about what we want, but open to taking suggestions from the professionals. My son is not always easy to work with and we are never made to feel like we are inconveniencing anyone. The photographers are always pleasant and know just what to say to get the best smiles out of our child. Again, maybe location makes the difference, but we have been THRILLED and will probably never take our son elsewhere for pictures.
September 27, 2011Was this review helpful to you?
I went to the Portrait Innovations in Ridgeland, MS. The experience was TERRIBLE this go around. I normally go every 2 months, but if SHE is there again, I will do my business elsewhere. The photographer's name is Chalonda. She was very rude and kept pressuring me to purchase more pictures. I then heard her tell the other staff that if she would have known that I wasn's going to purchase more pics than I dis, she wouldn't have taken them. She was very UNPROFESSIONAL, and for $30,000 a year, she should have had a little more respect for customers. That is okay, because I am contacting corporate first thing Monday morning because they need to know about it!!
August 20, 2011Was this review helpful to you?
Today was my first and last time at Portrait Innovations. They absolutely do NOT listen. Simply requested white back drop & no props. They kept pushing for tacky backgrounds and put a hat on my son without asking. Told them I won't purchase anything other than what I requested...they did not seem to care. I sat through their high pressure sales pitch...and finally selected my less than stellar photos. After waiting about 20 mins, I was presented with off centered photos and the wrong package!!! I should have read the horrible reviews first.
June 03, 2011Was this review helpful to you?
I think that the business practice of Portrait Innovations is horrible. They advertise the $9.99 special but when you get to the studio, they don't mention that while they are giving you their high pressure sales. My grandson is 5 weeks old and they only allowed 10 minutes to do his pictures. What is that about? The person taking our pictures had VERY short patience!! I was trying to help our son with getting the babe to wake up and she just kept snapping pictures...some had his eyes half open, he was yawning in some, starting to fuss in some, had his head turned a little in some. VERY VERY poor service when dealing with kids and baby's!! When it was time to view the pics and make a decision, she had taken 79 poses of which about 6 of them were good. Then the sales tactics of 12 poses, 9 poses, etc is crap!! We were at 9 poses for $150+ and I asked about fewer poses. We were told that we could choose less poses but at only $15.00 less. So we went with the 9 pose pkg. Come to find out, we could have went
to 3 poses (which there were 3 really good poses) for a lot less $. I would have been happy then, but feel that we were lied to and pressured to buy the bigger pkg. I complained to the gal who took the pics and asked for mngr. The mngr basically blew us off. There were several young women in the printer area, talking abt us, they kept lookng at us. 2 staff went out to smoke. Came in to take pics smelling like smoke and did not wash hands. We will NEVER go back !!!
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1. they lie to you
2. they never tell you there prices
3. high-pressure sales
4. photos can be horrible
5. rude staff
6. company does not care
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Extremely pleased with overall experience at the Ballantyne location. Wait time (we scheduled for Friday @ 10am) was only a couple of minutes.
Photographer "Sadia" was excellent....you need to request her when you set up an appointment. She was very thorough and efficient. She took about 40 shots with excellent results. Total shoot time was about 15 minutes. Gallery review was ready in about 5 minutes.
I misunderstood the costs associated with black & white prints but "Bruce" VP of Training for the location was very accommodating and resolved the issue to ensure total customer satisfaction.
Highly recommend this location. Will go back/use in future. Very satisfied.
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*Book first thing in the morning. *Ask for first available. Sometimes they get so booked they decide to open earlier. If you tell them you want first available and call if it changes, our location tried their best to call to update on the situation.
*If you can't book 1st thing, plan on checking in, surveying how many people are in the lobby and ask how long the wait. You can leave to go shopping or to eat (*if it doesn't mess up the clothes) and ask them to call you if it's going to be a long time. *There is no reason you should lose your appointment!!
*Ask for a manager or a photographer that has been there longer than 6 months. They usually are good at what they do. *Usually.
*They do over book. Just know that
*They want you to buy more than the 9.95. It's called marketing. That's why they are required to take more than just together shots, and use different backgrounds.
*I found that as a photographer, many times a customer said, I absolutely do not want this background, etc. I took it anyway, just in case, because after all, you can't go back in a room but you can always illiminate it from the cart.
*You can change any of your sizes. 10x13, 8x10, 5x7, 31/2x5, wallets. 3 sheets, any sizes, same price. So, 3 sheets- 5x7's is acceptable.
*Photographers are not working on commission, but do have to maintain an average. *I never had a problem with this as I loved what I did and my goal was to make you want them, not force you to buy what you didn't want!! (BTW When I left, no one asked me to come back or gave me an offer to stay. They don't care who goes)
*Ask for a player, if one is available, usually a player helps!
*If your child is scared of a male, request a female
*The CD has all the images on it to put on a website or print smaller ones.
*The studio is required to "overbook" as stated several times. They ghost call to make sure if you have an opening that you are booking EVERY opening and offering today/tomorrow. Even if it is 5:00 and there are people waiting.
*If the studio has a good manager and a trained staff, the appointments work. The volume is not a problem, unless there is a child that is not willing to participate due to, well, being a child.
*I LOVED what I did, but HATED the stress from the company.
The biggest dissapointment was the BONUS "promised" to us. I worked my but off and smashed the sales goal and still didn't receive HALF my bonus. What's up with that?! When I worked there, I knew who to request and how the session would go. Now that I've been gone, I don't know who to ask for as all new people are there and you don't know who has experience.
*I have a degree and I worked there, so don't judge based on academic credentials. For some, it's a passion!!
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Please do not be fooled by this company. I too worked here and found their business practices to be unethical. I worked in the corporate call center in Charlotte and it was run very poorly. I was promised hours that they never intended to give. I took the job because they paid $12 hrly. Now I know why...they only work you 1 day a week. The website makes it look like there are more hours/shilfts available but dont be fooled. They were always sketchy about what my schedule would be the next week and would always say "things well be picking up soon". One week they called and said they didnt need me to work that week, but maybe the next one. WHY did they waste my time? I am/was in dire straights financially and they strung me and every esle they hired along until one by one people starting "getting it" ,It seems illegal. I'm sure there are people out there that only want to work 1 or 2 shifts a week. Why lie????
January 31, 2011Was this review helpful to you?
have insider information from someone who worked for Portrait Innovations and walked out after two weeks of employment. They make a career with them seem so ideal that it's hard for someone to pass up. Paid training was promised, as was a 40 hour work week, but upon starting..was only given 20 hours..with the excuse that (per their company policy) they had every right to cut hours. She was told they only had 10 minutes in the studio and they didn't care if the children wouldn't cooperate, you don't go over ten minutes or you could be fired for being too slow. I don't know about you, but if you have an unruly 2 year old..it's going to take more then 10 minutes to sit them down.
Also, she was instructed to NEVER tell anyone about the 9.99 package deal unless they were asked..and the only time they could sell it to someone was when the deletion of photos made the grand total BELOW $250 dollars. If the packages failed to be more then $100, they were at risk of being fired. If they clocked in a 2 minutes before their time to start, they were written up. If they clocked in a minute sooner then their 30 minute lunch break, they were written up. During their blackout times, Christmas & Easter, they were not allowed to be sick. If they called off..they were FIRED. My friend was told that if she was sick during blackout, she better just run outside, puke in the dumpster, then come back in..because she would be FIRED if she called off. How is that a way to run a business?
She saw instances of racial profiling as well as just all out rude behavior. This was BY FAR the worst job she had ever taken and felt so much better knowing she wasn't aiding a corrupt corporate company.
There are many more instances of employees talking about the customers, just being rude because they know they can get away with it..and just a BAD customer service all around. This not a per studio incident, this type of behavior is encouraged from the TOP DOGS!
If anything, Portrait Innovations looks to exploit its customers..and DOES.
January 29, 2011Was this review helpful to you?
I don't know what the other reviewers are thinking but I LOVE PORTRAIT INNOVATIONS at Providence Promenade in Charlotte, NC. They have always worked hard with my babies to make their pictures just absolutely gorgeous. I have been going to them for 3 years and they have always worked within my budget and never pushed me to purchase more than I could afford. They have sweated through some trying sessions with my then 12 month old so I could get good pictures of her and now I bring my 2nd baby to them to help me capture these precious times of their lives. I love Portrait Innovations. They are always helpful, kind, and will do anything to make the photography session memorable. I will even mention my favorite photographers who have gone above and beyond to help me make fabulous pictures of my little ones; Taylor, Ashley, and Nate and many others at the Providence Promenade store. So if you want to believe any other review, please believe a very picky Mom of 2 babies, Moms are very selective in services that involves their children. Portrait Innovations is a 5 star quality establishment without the killing your budget.
January 19, 2011Was this review helpful to you?
Very Very Unhappy Recieved coupon in e-mail for $9.99 special promotion and my daughter also recieved same coupon. She took her daughter and husband and had pictures done for Christmas. Week to ten days we (Grandpa and Grandma) wanted to have pictures taken of Granddaughter so we made appointment. When we got there (Eastwood Towncenter Lansing Michigan) we explainted and showed them our coupon and they said "this little girl looks familiar" We told them our daughter and son-in-law brought her in for pictures about a week ago. After waiting over 45 minutes to get pictures started we finally had them taken. We waited nearly 45 minutes for them to get printed and sat down to review our pictures. I then told them I had a coupon for $9.99 that I wanted to use. Like I said earlier, I told them about the coupon upon arrival, they new she had been there earlier because they asked us and reconized her. Then they tell me, after all this time, that we were not allowed to use the $9.99 coupon because she already had her pictures taken using the $9.99 coupon when her mom and dad brought her. Her mom and dad had there pictues taken with her and so did we (grandpa and grandma) If this was the case, then why, after they had reconized her and I told them we had the coupon, didnt they say, "we are sorry, you cannot use this coupon, would you still like us to take the pictures. We were never told that we could not use the coupon until all the pictures are put up on the screen and we were trying to decide what picture we wanted to use our coupon on. This is wrong. We then ended up spending several dollars more than we ever expected. The gentlemen new we were not happy so went through the pictures so fast we didnt have time to look at half of them so we ended up getting the cd just to have the opportunity to look at all the pictures.
My $9.99 coupon ended up costing us over $100.00. We have went to Portrait Innovations for pictures on several occasions but I think we have went there for the last time. Very Unhappy Customer but it sure will make an interesting story at our Christmas Party this year.
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I thought their portrait packages online were a good deal and decided to go to Portrait Innovations. When they started taking out pictures they were very unprofessional, unorganized, and didn't know what to do. They couldn't decide how we should sit with out 1 year old, and couldn't make him smile, but kept snapping photos that were terrible. The packages we saw online were innexpensive with no sitting fees. When it came time to pick out the pictures, there were 58 pictures and variations, but only 3 were acceptable. We were told that each package HAD to come with an 8x10, 5x7's, and wallets. There were no 4x6 available at all. Just these mandatory packages with the 3 photos ended up being over $75, much more than the 9.95 advertised. We even left with someone elses photos in our package!!! They can't get it right! Talked to manager next day after husband picked up photos and they said there was nothing they could do. "Nothing I can do for you" Very rude, and I don't know how they stay in business. And I will never be going back or telling anyone anything good about them!!!!!!!
December 22, 2010Was this review helpful to you?
Let me start by saying that I have gone to the same portrait innovations for 3 years and we have never had a problem, but today was awful. We went for my daughter's first birthday and Christmas pictures of my two kids. The photographer was awful. She was not good with the kids and we only got a couple were they were even smiling. Then she kept rushing us. At one point she said they were done with Christmas shots and I had to tell her to take some of the kids by themselves. Then we took my daughter's pictures with a smash cake for her birthday. After we were done, I went to clean her up and came back to find she was having trouble loading the pics on the comp. She finally got them loaded only to find that she had lost over half of the pictures of my daughter with the cake. I was upset and her response was excuse after excuse. She decided to give me 15 free birthday cards. I left and was not happy, as I can never get that back. We waited 15 mins longer than they told us and then came back for our pictures and found out it was going to be another 15 mins, b/c the photographer had messed up the color splash. When I told them I was unhappy with what had happened that day, I got more and more excuses. I asked to speak to a manager, who very rudely told me that we only lost 10 pictures and made it sound like ti was not a big deal. Almost all the pictures of her and the cake were gone and the ones we got were awful. I told the manager that I did not think 15 free cards really made up for what had happened. After more rudeness and more excuses, she finally agreed to refund half of the money. Then when we got home we found that some of the pictures had a big white stripe down the side and the cd would only load some of the pictures that were supposed to be there. I will never go back to the Colleyville, Tx location, as it was the worst experience I have ever had.
December 20, 2010Was this review helpful to you?
Had a poor experience at the Loveland, CO site last week. Had an appointment, waited almost an hour with 3 small kids, pictures werent anything special. Photographer had no interest in knowing anyones name. Studio was dirty and dingy. Flat screen TV we viewed the pictures on was out of focus and needed service. Bought a few packages and were told we would get a waiver so we could print from the CD. We came home to find there was no waiver. Called the studio and was told that if I came back in they would print on for me. I explained that I lived 2 hours from the studio and asked them to send it. Was told they couldnt send it because that was a "privacy issue." Asked for the manager, of course she was out and they couldnt promise she could call me back. Called corporate and got an answering machine. What a joke. We wont be back.
December 20, 2010Was this review helpful to you?
We went to Portrait Innovations yesterday to have my 2-year-old daughter's Christmas pictures made. I already had in mind which package I wanted because I had just purchased pictures form her daycare. By the way, the daycare pictures were much better! First of all, DO NOT ever go the studio in Matthews, NC. The photographer was a joke, he was completely rude and arrogant. When it came time to look at the pictures we went around in circles for 20 minutes about which package I wanted. He kept saying "you really should by more after all that work I did", I think they must make comission off of the packages. I would not have bought anymore pictures from him if my life had depended on it!!! I will NEVER return.
December 20, 2010Was this review helpful to you?
I have used Portrait Innovations in the past and have had an amazing experience. But today i arrived for my appointment ten minutes early, was told of no delay. I have a 17 month old, when she started losing her patience, i took notice of the time...we had been waiting an hour over our appointment time...finally i asked an employee whats going on, he said and i quote" i just got back from my half hour break" which as a customer,,,i saw him leave and return in the time i was waiting...not acceptable..then the pictures that were taken there after were horrible. i felt obligated to buy something...when nothing was really worth spending the money on. had my appointment time been honored i feel the pictures would have been superior...but your staffs ineptitude ruined my experience..oh and my family made another appointment with your establishment. i am telling them how awful this day was and am advising them to cancel the appointment. i am sure there will be no response from the corporation that runs this bedpan, trashbin.
December 19, 2010Was this review helpful to you?
Two years in a row I have had horrible experiences at this studio, They say that customer satisfaction is key, but when the printer broke down and the pictures we were promised in 45 minutes were not ready 6 hours later, no one called or compensated us in any manner for having to drive back to the studio 3 times and we still do not have the CD that was par of the package. Some of the pictures did come out ok, but not good enough for me to consider ever going there again.
December 19, 2010Was this review helpful to you?
(3300 Princess Anne Rd, VA Beach VA)
1. Made an appointment and was taken 45 minutes late.
2. Staff was rude, photographer was most rude and did not make any effort to take basic family portrait.
3. Photographer was extremely inexperienced and there were no photos worth buying.
4. No apologies were made for lack of fulfilling the appointed time, poor photography, or even trying to compensate us for either.
I was a Photographer for 20 years and this was the worse customer service and worse photo studio I have ever visited.
On a scale of 5 stars, I would give it a minus 10!!!
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Terribly rude and disrepectful to 7 families! I wrote the full story on my blog here http://mikebeach.org/2010/12/portrait-innovations/
December 15, 2010Was this review helpful to you?
we went to the studio at our scheduled appointment time and was told that our slot had been given away. The manager was apologetic and offered us free sheets and a calendar if we returned the following day. We did, but upon checking out, the same person who promised the free items before, refused to honor what she said. She said she said something else... The pictures were worse than wal mart quality and terrible poses. I have two toddlers, one autistic, and we were rushed and the staff member did not even try to get a usabe shot. Not cool. Do not waste your time.
December 09, 2010Was this review helpful to you?
This was my 3rd time visiting a portrait innovations, and my 2nd time at this particular location in Johns Creek, Ga. The 1st time I was very pleased with the photos the young man took of my kids. A couple of days ago I took my family of four to have Christmas pictures taken. First off we were seen 25 minutes after our appointment which wasn't that big of a deal but there was no apology for the wait! I specifically told the young lady that I wanted FAMILY pictures that I wasn't interested in individual photos but she explained that she had too, but she took more time doing that than she did on just the four of us! She only did 1 pose of all of us and it wasn't that great! My son's collar was up on one side, my husband had something in his head! As a good photographer I would think its part of your job to fix things like this! We can't see ourselves! I just really made me mad that our Christmas pictures didn't turn out as good as I would have liked them to. I was hoping to pick for a variety of poses of the family together but she didn't listen to what I told her! I always recommend portrait innovations to everyone I know but I will no longer be sending them to the Johns Creek location nor go there myself!
December 09, 2010Was this review helpful to you?
A horrible experience. I booked an appt for my children's Xmas photos for the day (unknowingly) after my ex husband and his wife took the kids to get a family picture. I waited for 20 min (after my appt time) to be told by the manager that my children were here the previous day so she could not offer me the special. It apparently is only 1 special per FAMILY. I explained we were 2 families and we both deserved the special. The manager was rude and told me I could discuss the issue with corporate but that is what the rule was. I walked out.
December 08, 2010Was this review helpful to you?
Went to the Huntsville AL store for a family Portrait the night before Thanksgiving. Had a 6 PM appointment. We waited 3 hours. More people were added ahead of us because the were told to return later from the afternoon because there was such a long wait. When they arrived, they were placed ahead of us. We never got our pictures taken because they told us it would be after 9:30 if they could get to us. Our total family rarely gets together because we live in different states. Me may never get this opportunity again. It spoiled out time together. Will never recommend this company to anyone. The Manager could not manage.
December 07, 2010Was this review helpful to you?
Portraits innovations of Kildeer is absolutely horrible!!!! I waited over an hour to get my pictures taken, 2 hours to view my pictures and I still did not even get to see the pictures after 2 hours. When I FINALLY saw the pictures, there were shadows on them! I was told by one of the employees that they were told by the corporate office they had to schedule 80 appointments for that day. And if thats not bad enough, another employee told me that they did not get lunch that day and if they complained they would be fired. Can you say sweat shop!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I will never shop here!!!!!
December 06, 2010Was this review helpful to you?
Orland Park, IL
I went to this location this weekend with my son and my nephew. My appointment was at 5pm. When we got there the place was packed. We had to ask how long the wait was when there should not have been a wait since we made an appointment. We ended up waiting with 2 children under 4 years old for 2 hours. By the time we got to take pictures the kids had been crying for 20 min and no longer wanted to smile. The manager spoke to me as if I was a child when I asked why this took so long. Then it took them 45 min just to show us the 20 pictures that they got to take. This place is the worst place I have ever been to. Everyone there is very rude and unprofessional. They photographers are like 16 years old. I could have taken better pictures myself in front of my own christmas tree!
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DO NOT use Portrait Innovations for pictures! We were 5 min late. This was going to be our first time to use them. They dropped the ball! We will never give them a second chance, and we are telling everyone we know about our bad experience! Walked in to a lobby FULL of people, most of whom you could tell were walk ins! Stood in their line for 10 min, were NEVER greeted. I had to greet the person @ the counter, only to be told by this RUDE ANGRY gril we would need to reschedule since we were 15 min late.... REALLY??? You must be joking! I just spent 10 of those min standing in your flippin line! I DONT THINK SO Tootsie! We walked out, walked back into the mall, walked into SEARS, were greeted promptly and polietly, and helped as walk ins w/in 10 min! They took great pictures! They got our 200.00 sale... THAT is PORTRAIT INNOVATIONS 200.00 LOSS!! We will NEVER use Portrait Innovations for anything EVER now do to this bad experience...
December 05, 2010Was this review helpful to you?
CEDAR RAPIDS IA, Showed up 15mins early for our appt. to check in, the store was packed with families with small children, and was not informed of any wait. After waiting 10 mins past our scheduled time we were standing near the check in counter when another Father asked how much longer they would have to wait to get their pictures taken and their appt that was an hour earlier than ours and he was told probably another 30 mins, he got upset with the person at the counter and proceeded to ask how often they scheduled sittings and was told every 10mins and double up on the half hour and hour, he then asked how much time was allowed per sitting and was told however long they wanted, and that his family was third in line. so simple math told us there were at least 10-12 families in front of us unless they got tired of waiting and had left. So we made a quick phone call to SEARS and luckily were able to get scheduled later that afternoon with them, since the kids were all dressed, we went to get a quick bite to eat and were able to get our pictures taken that day after all. We will never try to go back there again and will highly reccommend to friends and anyone else that we LIKE not to go there.
December 05, 20101 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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I had Christmas pictures taken at the Evansville, IN location on December 5th and the employees were very professional and courteous. The place was packed and they were only 10 minutes behind. I am VERY satisfied with our first experience at Portrait Innovations and we will definitely be back!!
December 05, 2010Was this review helpful to you?
Drove an hour to get to the Cedar Rapids location for our session that was scheduled for 12:30. They were running over an hour and a half behind and they did not care that we had little kids or that I had to be at work at 3pm. When I made the appt I was told to be there 10 min early so we were there at 12:15. The staff was rude and nobody seemed to have a clue of what they were doing. I was furious at the way they were doing business so we left after waiting almost and hour. We will never go back. The whole experience SUCKED!!!!!!!!!
December 05, 20101 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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I went to the studio in Sanford, FL. First time I went In April 2009, the appointment was about 30 minutes before they closed and we had only one picture taken with one background and when they found out I was only getting the $9.95 package they said they were closing and we had to leave and they were rude.. I tried again on Dec 3, 2010 and this time they did take alot of pictures with different backgrounds but again when they found out that a was only getting the $9.95 package they became extremely rude and said we needed to hurry and pick our picture because they had people waiting. This is the last time I will go there.
December 05, 20101 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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If you are thinking about working for this company, DON'T. Run, run as fast as you can. Corporation only cares about the bottom line and making themselves rich - certainly not their employees or customers.
December 05, 20101 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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This was the first time we have used Portrait Innovations. The pictures were okay, but they were definitely not the best! They weren't very personable at all. In fact, the photographer kept having me and my sister-in-law sit on the floor and we were the heaviest in the group. I made a joke and said, "You keep putting the fat people on the floor!" His response: "Your right. Get up." However rude that may be that isn't even my complaint! When we sat down to pick out pictures we had chose a group picture for our $9.99 package. (These are a Christmas present for my in-laws). Then, my sister-in-law picked out two other poses she wanted. The photographer said if we bought one more we would get the CD free and we would be able to print as many pictures as we wanted at home. So, for that reason alone we picked one more pose. I was happy to get the CD because we could print several poses in a smaller size and put the in a collage frame as an additional present for my in-laws. When I tried to print from the CD the pictures were very distorted. I called the studio and they said that I could only print wallet size photos from the CD! The CD is pointless!!! Don't even bother trying to get anywhere with the Corporate Office. Jessica is the complaints manager and apparently doesn't care!!!
December 05, 20101 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Our family had not had a portrait since the death of my five year old daughter three years ago. This year all the grandparents wanted for Christmas was a family photo. I saw the 9.95 special at Portrait Innovations so we went there. We did have to wait 30 minutes past our appointment time and I agree with the other reviewers that they overbook, but our session was great. Our photographer Monique L. had us all laughing. What I thought would be depressing, turned into a fun family event. The pictures were good and we weren't pressured to overspend. I only spent $40 and got plenty of pics for grandparents. For the price, I think they are very good.
November 30, 2010Was this review helpful to you?
I have been there many times and would have given 5 stars a year or two ago. Recently however the wait has been ridiculous (hours) and they lie about how long it is. Pictures don't turn out as well because the kids had to sit and behave for an hour or two before even starting pictures. Christmas time is the worst, but I have had an hour + wait even in the early morning on a school day at non holiday times. Go somewhere where they actually respect appointment times.
December 05, 20101 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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We had pictures taken at Portrait Innovations in Cedar Rapids, IA. The children were dressed up and the photographer made them take off their shoes Dress slacks, collared shirt, tie, and socks??? They used dark backgrounds in the photos and the childrent looked like floating heads because they had on dark clothes. The staff was very snotty. We scheduled retakes for 10am and finally just left at almost 11am. We still had people ahead of us waiting for photos. The staff was very rude. As we were waiting our turn, a team member answered the phone and made a disgusting face while listening to the customer and she also made the gabbing motion with her hand in front of the customers in the store. The one team member wasn't even wearing her name tag. When a store manager was asked for the answer given was he's not here and I don't know when he will be here because he was suppose to be here at 8am. Horrible, horrible service. Not worth the money they charge. We returned our horrible pictures and left.
December 05, 20101 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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I went to the location in Dubuque, IA. on 11/19/2010 I had a 4:45pm appt. They told me they were running 10 min behind. I thought ok, that's not too bad. By the time 6:15pm rolled around I went up to the counter to find out when we would be in. I got ignored by the girls standing up there and i walked out. The place was packed and loud. Not friendly at all.
December 05, 20101 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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We had a 10:20 appointment at the Rockford, IL store. It was very chaotic and obviously way overbooked. We didn't start our session until after 11:00. I asked one of the employees why they schedule families so close together and he laughed and said "We just do". They schedule sessions every 20 minutes, and that is clearly not enough time in between appointments. It was very, very crowded and loud. We stood for the first 1/2 hour because there wasn't enough seating. Pictures are okay, and photographer was nice enough, but their scheduling is ridiculous.
December 05, 20101 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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We made an appointment we had to wait for 30 minutes. There was no personal attention. I felt like we were just pushed through. We had a change of clothing and was never told when to go change. He took the pictures and said okay lets go look at. I asked about the change of clothing. We said forget it except for my daughter. She changed and he took 6 very rushed thru pictures. I really felt like their goal was to see how many people can we get thru in a day. After we bought the pictures they never gave us our CD. Called twice an a manager was to call me back still have not received a call back & it has been a week. They refused to mail me my CD even though they admitted it was their fault but that is not their policy.Customer service SUCKS.
December 05, 20101 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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At first I thought portrait innovations was the best kept secret in Indianapolis unitl I went in on 10/16/2010 and had photo taken with my grandson. This was our 1st picture together and I was excited about them. Well our appointment was at 3:10 pm and we didn't get our pictures taken until nearly 5:30pm. After being rushed to through our posses I was given my chosen pic's, but without the C.D. upon noticing it missing I called the store to see if it could be mailed to me and was told it would be mailed the following Tuesday. I was cool with that. I have called 6 times since then and have been told it was mailed...... If it was mailed why don't I have it?
THE STAFF HAS LIED TO ME IT APPEARS. That was the 1st picture of my grandson and I. I really wanted it. Guess I'm out of luck
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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We had a 10am appointment at the St John's Town Center location in Jacksonville FL- we did not start taking pictures until 11am. The photographer was sick and had NO VOICE. She could not tell my 2 year old where to stand or when to smile. She just stood there and acted like he should know what to do. I ended up picking up props to make him smile and she still missed great opportunities for pictures. Once we got to reviewing the portraits it was a hard sell- kept telling me the value I was losing every time I eliminated a picture. I understand they have a job to do - but if they cared about taking the best pictures they wouldn't have to be so pushy on the sales. The pictures would sell themselves.
December 05, 20101 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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our experience with the main office in nort carolina was bad.customer service desk ignored what I said. we will not return either.
December 05, 20101 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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The Waldorf, MD location was HORRIBLE the young skinny African American girl said she was a manager. She treated us in a racial fashion. Being white is apparently a crime. I found out from a few of my friends that they too had similar or the same experiences as my family and I did. In fact save your money because their photog style is no better than a Kmart studio. I had to seek out the corp office # or email which they say they have none. I bet they have no email or they would get enormous complaints so I did call Corp 704-844-8633 but they didn't seem to care; I was cut off before even a hello. I called back and again Jessica "consumer complaint rep" cut me off each time I would say I was calling about a complaint...she would reply city and state PLEASE, CITY and STATE PLEASE!!! She said she could hear me JUST FINE so I tried again and again she overspoke me so I could only hang up on her. I asked who their CEO or corp owner or their assistant was but nothing. Our family and friends will never return to that horrible place. I guess others haven't either because their studio is always empty.
December 05, 20102 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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I've had family portraits done at the 7000 Mayo location in Scottsdale a few times already. For such a quick appointment with pretty much kids taking the pictures, we've gotten some amazing shots. We've gotten lots of complimens on our photos from others, too. It's affordable and it totally works for my family. I also love that the photos are ready the same day and there are so many options.
November 09, 20100 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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the pictures were sort of blurry and terrible poses. only a couple ones I was happy with. the photographer's butt crack was showing every time she bent over to take a picture. The rest of my complaint I sent in to BBB, please read below
Complaint Description:
My step mother purchased a $100 gift certificate from Portrait Innovations from the Bloomington, IL store, she was told there was a studio in Brookfield, which was untrue. But the complaint is not about that, it is about how the gift certificate may be redeemed. No where on the certificate does it say that the gift certificate cannot be used at more than one time and no where does it say it can only be used for prints. I was given the $100 to use for 3month 6month and 9month photos of my baby. When I told the employee this, I was told I had to use the $100 all at once -or I would forfeit whatever amount was left on the gift certificate. I asked if I could pre-pay for future prints or buy smaller denominations of gift certificates with the $100, and I was told I could not. I was forced into using the whole amount. When I returned home I called several other Illinois Portrait Innovation studios and was told the same thing. I called and left 2 messages with the corporate office. I have not yet heard back. I believe I was taken advantage of, my step mother was taken advantage of and this business practice is dishonest and probably illegal. If the certificates can only be used at one time and only for prints that should be written somewhere when you make the gift certificate purchase.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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I have used Portrait Innovations twice before my visit today. But my experience today just ensured that I will never return. An inexperienced photographer taking photos, and the hard sell to buy a couple hundred dollars of pictures. I thought I understood what package I was buying after telling the photographer that I did not want all these different package combinations. Then I go to pay and it wasn't the price that I saw when I did my photo selection. I was then told that it was too late to change because the photos had been ordered!
Pros: Get pictures the same day
Cons: Hard Sell to buy photo packages
First, if I didn't have to choose a star i wouldn't. Portrait Innovations isn't worthy of even being rated with 1 star. My family and I have gone to them twice (Promenade Shopping Ctr) off Ballantyne Commons Pkwy, Charlotte, NC. Both times we walked out very disappointed. The first time was last December, the 2nd time being just yesterday. This location has the rudest manager and terrible photographers. We have 2 children, our oldest 4 years and our youngest 1 year. The photographer shot 100 poses, actually only 5 different poses when it all comes down to it. We just received about 20 shots of the same 5 poses. These people require you to sit there and narrow the poses down to the ones you like the best. It's a little frustrating that you don't have time to actually really look at them before making a decision. When you have 2 children there who have been patient for the 1 hour it took them to capture the photos, it's hard to have to sit there for another hour just to look through the poses.They rush you b/c they schedule their appt's on top of eachother. They are horrible with kids. The manager made a comment to me when she pulled all our pictures up on the screen "oh my, she was not wanting to cooperate", she had the nerve to say about my 1 year old. I suggested to her that if they had someone in the room to help the photographer it may work out a lot better. The photographer was busy trying to get the kids to remain looking at him that once he got them looking he had to run and grab his camera, by the time he ran and grabbed the camera they were looking elsewhere again. Also, I saw on their website that they have $9.99 promotion, I told the manager that was all we wanted and she said "the $9.99 is in addition to another package". It doesn't say this on their website, very misleading. Maybe not all locations are like this, but people "BEWARE", do NOT go to the location in The Promenade. They are very, very rude. I have more to say, but I've said enough.
Pros: Clean atmosphere
Cons: Rude Photographers/Managers, Price,
I have an 8-month old and the photographer (Nick) was able to take 40 usable photos in about an hour after which my son became fussy. The only thing the photographer could do to help was say "keep him calm" in a very mean voice. Children are sensitive to the adults around them and my son really, really, really didn't like him. We had to leave before the photos were even ready (we bought the smallest package available) and had already been there almost 2 hours. Our session was cut short by other photographers interrupting Nick explaining that they had to use the bathroom. I think our session was in a location that prohibited employee access to a restroom. There were so many sessions going on at the same time (about 7 concurrent) that the waiting area was jam packed. I was so happy just to get out of there. This was the 10th time that my son was photographed and by far the worst experience that we have had - even Sears and K-mart were more professional. We were at the Promenade location at the intersection of Ballantyne Commons and Providence Rd. in Charlotte, NC and went during the work week while school was in session to keep our session "off peak" for better service, but it didn't help.
Pros: Location, parking, scheduling
Cons: Rude and unknowledgable staff