I want to be fair about this review because I've had two seperate experiences with the same photographer. The first experience was for Christmas, she was upbeat and professional. I have a high standard, which I know can come across as high maintenance. However, I come with specific ideas for poses, backgrounds picked out and what pictures I want to purchase. All of these things are to create efficiency and save time, as I know they have time limits for each session. Second experience was for 1st birthday. I was looking to have a picture of me with my daughter, a family one and her with balloons and confetti. My daughter wasn't in the picture mood and was hungry at one point. We had to stop to feed her and that was the turning point. We were told there wasn't much time left, there was a computer download happening, etc. It made me feel like we were a problem and made me feel rushed. I don't know what guidelines have to be followed at these sessions and I'm the customer so come up with a different way to tell me...or just say we are our of time and stop. Stay with me...I know this is long-winded! We are picking out the pictures, which is comparable to going to the Optometrist-a quick, "Which is better? One or two?" Point being, I couldn't adequately look at the pics! I didn't like the pictures of me and my daughter, they don't pose you to get the best shot of you per say...so I looked like I had a double chin and my hair was in my face. Is that the photographs fault? Not necessarily, maybe there isn't training or time but it wasn't personal and that is how she took it. She was like, " Do you like any of them?" (while scoffing). A lot of women are sensitive about their weight after having a baby, I'm not paying for a picture of me with a double chin! I was so flustered I picked the wrong pictures and sizes. She seemed mad that I had a coupon off the website, mad that I wanted to use a benefit of a free 8x10 as a member, mad that I didn't purchase a package. She was snippy when she rang me up, didn't respond when we thanked her and turned off the lights before we left. Needless to say, we had challenges fixing the order, paying and anyone following up with us in general. Moral to the story: Don't pressure me to buy packages and scoff when I tell you I have no need for a ton of pictures. You don't know my financial situation and you should respect my order. Never treat a customer like a problem, go to the breakroom or wait till you get home to vent. We all have bad days, working with people is a hard job (I've done it for over 15+ years). Don't assume I know your schedule or time frames. Set the expectations in the beginning and we will both have a good experience. Besides, a customer shouldn't feel like it's their problem with behind the scenes stuff. It's business as usual as one of my mentors used to say. Don't ruin the experience by involving the customer. I probably will not return to JcPenny Portraits based on this experience. Too bad Pinterest has set the bar too high for ideas on photographing children. read more