I am very unsatisfied with my Portrait Innovations experience. I made an appointment for my family and me to have Christmas photos taken. I called the “local” number and was routed to a national call center. Which was my first shock with this whole experience but I thought what the heck why not give them a try anyway. I, husband, 3 year old daughter and 11 week old daughter showed up ON TIME for our appointment. Upon arrival the place was in a little chaos, but I got past it. While sitting and waiting for over half an hour I had the opportunity to watch how business was conducted. There did not seem to be anyone over the age of 25 working in the store except maybe 1 of the photographers and there was a noticeable lack leadership. The business reminded me more of a quick service drive-thru on how many people and photos could be moved in one day. Finally we are called back. The “studio” was not in a private setting which seems odd. I asked for a mirror and was told that there were mirrors on the other side of the room which, yet again, seems odd for a photography studio. During the session all of the strangers in the “waiting” area plus the hurried pace and just plain being a 3 year old combined to make for a bad experience with my daughter. I will admit that a girl named Jennifer seemed to really try to get my daughter passed it all but without much success. Needless to say the session was not enjoyable and I was very frustrated. Missing was that personal touch I have experienced with other photography studios. It was more about snap, snap, snap and let’s go view your photos. I was not pleased with any of the family photos that were taken. I was not sitting straight and my husband had some funny hair thing happening but not once were we told and adjusted. More snap, snap, snap… I mentioned this several times but was told “I think that that one is fine”. I have had sessions where I can choose between so many great photos NEVER have I had a session where I can’t choose because all the photos take were bad. A less than experience and in the end I still had to spend $87 on photos I was not pleased with simply because I really had no other choice as they are Christmas gifts. I myself own my own business so I completely understand how to be professional and to provide top quality deliverables. So when I am faced with less than quality it is noticeable. Have a nice Holiday Season.

Copyright laws prevented me from printing photos at Wal-Mart from a CD I received from Portrait Innovations. I have to send a request for a single photo to be printed at Wal-Mart. After paying over $90 for poses, pictures, and a "free CD", we can't print these pictures where we want? Next time I'll save myself the headache and go to Wal-Mart. Not a terrible place, but bottom-line is that it's cheaper and more convenient to visit the SuperCenter, when I'm grocery shopping, to pick up some prints with Christmas borders to send with cards. Except for this year because I can't, by law.