JCPenney Portraits - Annapolis, Maryland

D Gregory

First time visiting this location, we’ve taken photos with JCPenney Portraits several times; this is by far the worst experience ever!!! They double booked everyone’s appointment. Our scheduled appointment was set and confirmed for 11:45am. They didn’t see us until 12:50pm. For starters, I’m sure the staff noticed all of the double bookings upon coming to work. They could’ve given everyone a courtesy call to inform us. Many of us had small children. Imagine waiting around for 1hr+ with small children smh. To make matters worse, the photos came out TERRIBLE! The attention to detail sucked. The lighting was off and the backgrounds were flawed. Many of our photos weren’t centered. Though the photographer was nice, he could use a little more training on the equipment and know what to look for when taking the photos. Yes I can try cropping some of the photos but it won’t work for most. I didn’t bother looking at the reviews prior to booking at this location but it seems that this is the norm. Management needs to do better!

Paula Arciprete

I had a highly disappointing experience at JC Penney Photography for a scheduled photo shoot with my granddaughters (6 months old and 6 years old). The appointment was set for 9:45 a.m., and my daughter-in-law drove an hour to bring the girls. Upon arrival, there was only one person managing everything which caused significant delays. He assured us additional help was coming to help.

When it was finally our turn, a second photographer arrived and began setting up which took her about 30 minutes. However, we were told to wait longer because the first photographer decided to take another family with a later appointment. He did not care that we had to get back to Southern MD. By the time the new photographer finished setting up, she informed us that the backgrounds we originally selected were unavailable since they were in use by the other photographer, forcing us to compromise on our choices.

Time became a significant issue because we had to get back by noon and it was after 11:00 a.m. By the time our photos were taken—at approximately 11:15—we were rushed, stressed, and unable to review the images properly. I hastily purchased the digital package and later discovered I was charged $211 without the $90 coupon being applied. That oversight was partly my fault due to the stress, but it was a frustrating mistake.

When I reviewed the digitals, I was deeply disappointed. Many photos were blurry, and there were only 18 images in total. I attempted to address this with JC Penney the next day, only to be redirected to Shutterfly, who refused to issue a refund. They offered only to refund the $25 sitting fee and provided a $50 coupon for a future shoot—something I would never consider after this experience.

This was not my first negative encounter with JC Penney Photography. Last year, I arrived with my family dressed and ready for photos at my scheduled time, only to be told their equipment was down, with no courtesy call to notify us beforehand. After years as a loyal customer, I am disheartened by the poor service and lack of accountability.

The stress, rushed experience, and subpar results have convinced me to avoid JC Penney Photography and Shutterfly in the future. Not sure what has happened with customer service, double bookings, non communication, etc. This studio has gone downhill. It wasn't always like this, but again, I will not be using JC Penney Photography Studio or Shutterfly again.

Shawn Clark

Our family was looking for a studio to take our family photos and decided to come here. Service was great and the photographer was very friendly and made the experience for my son a positive one. You will receive your digital photos quick. Definitely recommend.

Brett Evans

Appointments double booked and started pictures 45 minutes late. After waiting for the product, the photos were awful. People cut off on the sides, not centered, and in some pictures the group isn't even in front of the backdrop. I would never use JC Penny photo again. There was zero attention to detail. I am not usually one to review positive or negative, but I want to make sure others don't waste their time. The people were nice, but I could have taken better pictures with my phone.

D. R.

We had a marvelous shoot today with Breonna, i was a little skeptical after reading the reviews for this place. But baby let me tell you she blew it out the water, stars across the board. Communication, customer service, accuracy, time management, ability to get the photos and great energy. We have a family of six so it isn’t an easy task, the 7 yr old had a melt down, the 10 yr old was moody, and the 5 yr old fell she was present and rolled with the punches the entire time. She didn’t let anything stop the shoot, rotated us and the props out with great accuracy. For that I will be back, they were clean and on a roll today! We weren't double booked or behind we made it through and i brought all my pictures lol that’s how great of a job she did!!!!!

Jennifer Thomas

Awful. Pick anywhere else. We didn’t start the session until an hour & twenty minutes past our appointment time, the session was rushed, then I had to wait ANOTHER 30 minutes to see them & the photos were crap.

Samantha Elizabeth

DISHONEST AND NOT CUSTOMER FOCUSED.
Ask all the questions and research before you go. They are not honest or customer focused at all. Asked to have the cheapest option for the mermaid session and was told the digital album was the cheapest option $227 later. Added the “enhancements” which I said I only wanted the basic package. Having a 2 year old running around while trying to pay didn’t realize that was snuck on there after me explicitly saying I did not want any extras.
Shame on me for not researching as only about 3 images were good and I would have just got those 3 printed. Said I had a coupon at the end not the beginning and was told it would not be honored since it wasn’t given at the beginning it does not say that on the website.
Called to speak to manager who was confrontational and when asked to explain where those policies are posted told me to try my luck at customer service and gave me a fake customer service phone number. She then said “Goodbye I hope you have the day you deserve” and laughed.
The only nice part of the whole experience (and the reason for the 2 stars) was the photographer who was kind and played music to have my child engaged. She was the one who presented the packages however she is only doing what she is told to do I’m sure and I don’t blame her for that. I would suggest not going to the annapolis location as my friends who did it in other states had much better experiences.

Sidnei S

Had an appointment for 2:45 today it’s 4:00 and they are still not ready for us. It was for my son’s first birthday. They told us 30 minute wait that was a lie. I ran around all crazy getting ready only for them to ruin my son’s birthday shoot. I understand running behind but would it have hurt to call and let us know so we didn’t bring a two toddlers out in the rain. Waste of time will never consider JC Penny portraits again.