Date of Visit: October 25, 2025 Location: JCPenney Portraits - Rockaway, NJ We had a very disappointing and upsetting experience during our recent photoshoot at this location. We came in for a family session to celebrate our daughter's first birthday, but the photographer's behavior completely ruined what should have been a joyful occasion. Our 5-year-old son, who is special needs, was understandably a bit distracted by the lights and camera flashes. Instead of showing patience or understanding, the photographer started yelling at him for not looking at the camera. This made all of us extremely uncomfortable and anxious. Her tone and attitude were completely unprofessional and insensitive -- especially toward a young child with sensory sensitivities. At one point, she even asked rudely, "Is he okay?" in a way that felt judgmental rather than concerned. It was deeply upsetting. We just wanted the session to end as quickly as possible. When it came time to review the photos, the photographer rushed us and gave us barely 10 seconds to make a purchase decision. She kept pushing us to buy the full package so she could move on, instead of letting us choose calmly. It was an awful experience from start to finish. I strongly recommend that JCPenney Portraits provide proper training in sensitivity and customer service -- especially for working with children and families. If this person cannot be patient or kind, she should not be in a job that involves interacting with people. We will never return to this location. read more

I honestly would never leave 1 star for a business. People have jobs and lives that depend on this business. However...I scheduled an appointment yesterday (the Saturday after thanksgiving) with my 2 year old and 5 month old. They knew the age of my kids because they called me 2 times to confirm my appointment and the ages of my children. I got there at 9:45a which was the time of my appointment and was told it would be a half an hour wait. I asked why we had appointments then and the response was, "that's just to get you in. You can walk around if you want." We did, and I went back at 10:22 to see how they were progressing and where we were in line. I was told there were 3 groups ahead of me, that there were 3 rooms open, and it takes 15 mins per shoot. Okay... so about 20 or so more minutes. They called in the 3 groups. I then see a photographer pick up my paper to call us, put it down and then take another family in. They proceeded to take 2 more families in. I went to the desk to ask what was going on and was met with, "we're o so backed up and busy today, I'm sorry." I asked him if there was a manager and she was one of the photographers who was shooting. So I asked him to go find out what was going on. I was finally taken in at 11:15 and the photographer again with a smile on her face said, "I'm sorry we're so busy today." I told her it was unacceptable and this is no way to run a business or do any type of scheduling. Her demeanor changed immediately and she got an attitude (I know she was stressed and probably very over it) and she told me the manager is outside and I could wait to have her do my shoot if I wanted to. I said no way- I want my pictures and I want to go home. The pictures were alright. She missed many opportunities to capture special moments that were happening between my kids. She didn't read the kids and capture the moment my daughter was smiling and I don't know why. Overall, I was very unimpressed. I asked how long it would take to view the pictures and check out and the photographer told me she was uploading them now and the gentleman outside would go over them with me. My husband took the kids to the car to nap and I waited about 10 more minutes. Jacob, the person at the front desk who had been helping me earlier called me over to review my photos. He was awesome. Definitely had the spirit to work there. I know this mess was outbid his hands. The photographer came out and was met by other people asking when they'd be called so she proceeded to ask Jacob why he took me to review my photos. I was so dumbfounded. They literally just told me I'd be called as she uploaded them and now he's trying to make right by assisting me and he's being yelled at by a coworker? None of the staff knew any type of surface recovery or customer service. They said what they thought would placate the 30 or so people outside if the studio and buy them more time. ALSO their main clientele from what I could see that day was families with children. How can you have people set an appointment time, call to confirm multiple times, and then ask them to sit there for hours on end with babies. I don't even want to do that as an adult. If that's the case do first come first serve and do away with appointments. And honestly the skill of the photographer was lacking. It's sad. I used to go there when I was little for annual Christmas photos. From now on though, I will find a different company or 1:1 photographer when possible. read more

The worst, and I mean the worst location to take pictures. I have driven all the way to Bridgewater mall so as not to come to this location but for some reason I thought this year would be different. Run as far away as possible from this place. The wait was almost 2 hours just to take pictures.....WITH AN APPOINTMENT!!! There is no order or system in place at all. If you complain, they push you to the front of the line. I completely understand that its Christmas and its hard to find help. I was fine with the wait until they began to push all the irate customers to the top of the line. When i questioned the process, she shrugged her shoulders and stared at me. The manager has been there for years and needs to re-evaluate her career choice. read more

Absolutely the worst time taking pics... appointment was scheduled 3:15 didn't get in to start the shoot for over 3 hours. We were rushed through the entire shoot, when checking the quality we were supposed to choose 15 pictures we didn't have 15 quality photos to choose. A couple before us complained of the same thing. Several of our photos someone had closed eyes, or the photo was taken too close. UNSATISFIED AND DISAPPOINTED! This was not how it was last year and after this experience i don't think we will use them ever again Christmas photos read more

This place is awful. Stay away. It's not even worth the Groupon. We called because we were unfamiliar with the location and the woman gave us the most unclear directions. It was finally someone unrelated to the studio and the store that told us where to go since so many people were lost. We got to our appointment late because of all this and then were told we would be "tried to be worked in..." She was the reason we were late. Everyone there had already been working for an hour to have their pictures taken and then another hour to view those pictures. One complaint from another customer that we heard was that the photographer they worked with were not comfortable photographing children.... the waiting room was full of children. We took off and decided to make sure our money was spent well and booked a professional photographer. read more

The people who work here are very nice and patient and they have a small play/waiting area for kids. The "dressing room" is literally a closet that is just a leftover triangle of space. We were taken on time for our appointment which was great, no complaints three-wheeler staff was very accommodating. Our photographer was incredibly nice and very eager to please, but seemed inexperienced when it came to kids. Children don't hold poses. Each pose got two picture snaps, when it should have been a series of pictures to be able to get one or two good ones. After our session was done, we were shown the proofs then given some kind of bait and switch where they sent in the experienced associate but this time to sell us. Maybe because I used a Groupon, but felt overall like we were just a "side job" and the number and quality of the album of pictures I paid for ($110 for 26 digital pictures, multies ones of which there were eyes closed, people moving, people not looking, etc) wasn't worth the time, money, and effort. Probably won't go back there. Update: definitely won't be back. I got charged for something disguise as part of a package and I am just now discovering this secret charge - which oddly, is non-refundable. Not worth the money. Use portrait mode on your I phone and rent a space instead. read more

Absolutely horrible place. DO NOT EVER TAKE YOUR FAMILY HERE FOR PICTURES! The experience was the worst I've ever had at any portrait studio I have taken my daughter to. I understand waiting around the holiday season because it's busy and that's fine but everything else was horrible. The woman we had didn't even know how to set up the camera so we did it for her. Then she didn't know how to use the computer so again we did it for her. And the other woman working there was just rude and disrespectful and was yelling at everyone she could. She yelled at the woman doing our pictures as well as other families that were there. And then I go to pick up my pictures and I had it written on my receipt that I was to get the specs for free and they told me that the woman that authorized it was not allowed to do that and they weren't going to honor it. They ended up giving me them free but not without an argument. I do not recommend this place at all. Only reason i went here was because they had a good Groupon deal but I will never go back again read more

The shoot that we had on 12/16 was a reshoot for pictures that we had taken the week before. Our photographer for the shoot on 12/10 was awful. Between comments being made saying "are we done with the baby yet" about my 10 month old who was not the happiest baby and feeling rushed and then the background in the photos being snagged on something so you can see it's a background i was extremely upset. I had called. Spoke to a manager who assured me that my reshoots would be taken care of and it would be free of charge i had felt better. Then our photographer on 12/16 was nice and worked well with the baby, the pictures came out ok is the best way to describe it. AND THEN they said there was no record saying they would take care of us even though in the computer i had saw that it said "re-shoot talked to manager" so we were charged AGAIN. I will never go back to this portrait studio which is a shame, but we will be taking our holiday pictures somewhere else. read more

Made an appointment for Black Friday at noon this year, because my photographer is on vacation. Checked in and was told it was going to be a 40 minute wait regardless of my appt. Waited an hour. Asked for a current ETA. Was told 40 minutes (on top of the hour I already waited). When I asked the rep how that could be, she said, "Yeah, when you got here the wait was 40 minutes. But now it's still (another) 40 minutes cause the rooms are full." I realize it was Black Friday, but why make an appointment. And I purposely booked the appt for before our movie time at the AMC close by. Both girls at the counter were completely rude and unapologetic. Case in point, I ended up canceling the appointment after a 1hr+ wait, and advising those in line that they were lied to with no consideration for their schedules or lives! read more