Portrait Innovations

I just had the worst experience here and had an even more frustrating experience with your corporate customer service. I am still fuming but long story short the cameras were malfunctioning and when my photographer (who was not receiving any support from the other 3 people In the store) suggested trying to shoot some manually using what light was in the room, the other woman (who I am going to guess was the manager) said no. After about 45 minutes (and now my 3mo old was getting tired) they FINALLY suggested we move into the other studio space with just the plain background. She used one set of props and by then my 2.5 year old was done. An hour and a half after my appointment started, we were only compensated one collage picture and they were only able to get 30 images, and not one decent one of my two children together. When I called customer service, she said I could reschedule, which I had already wasted 1.5 hours and to return the prints if I didn’t like them. Needless to say, the prints were returned and I will not be returning to this location.

Overall a good experience. Tesha is fantastic– and truly made up for a bit of a wait with patience and great pics. We will be back!

Terrible customer service, they were overbooked and understaffed. Our photographer was trying to work with us and she was interrupted 4 times, and when I asked to please let her finish her job with us, they did not care. The place was dirty, bad experience overall. I hope the pictures will be high quality when we pick them up later this month. We had no more patience to stay in the chaotic place and wait for our pictures. I felt bad for our photographer, but we won’t come back again.

I wish I could give zero stars. Our photographer was sick and shouldn’t have been at work exposing our kids and other families to her germs. The pictures were not good. She didn’t capture any of their smiles. They kept getting smiles and she was not taking them. She was throwing a stuffed toy in my 7 year olds face instead of trying to get the little kids to smile. She kept apologizing for not feeling well. If my child gets sick I will be very upset. The prices are expensive for the quality of pictures. The pictures weren’t centered at all and very blurry. Extremely disappointed, and will try another company next time.

Surprisingly disappointed :(I used Portrait Innovations in Algonquin last year to have pics of my teenage godsons for their mom taken for christmas. We had a GREAT experience, it was fast, easy and inexpensive*. I spent the next 12 months telling all my friends and family to use them. This year, my brother and my sister-​in-​law wanted pictures of my 3 yr old niece taken. They live on the North east side of Gurnee, however I convinced them to drive to McHenry to meet me and then drive to the new location in Lake Zurich because it was «worth it». Well we were running about 10mins behind, so I called to give them a heads up. I was greeted by a completely rude and condescending woman on the phone, who, while we were only 5mins away, proceeded to scold me and tell me in those few minutes they had been completely booked up? I informed her that we were only a few minutes behind, she proceed to tell me HER watch says we are way later and will need to reschedule (even thought their website clearly states they «welcome walk-​ins»)! I asked her if being rude was the appropriate way to have customers reschedule? I understand we were running behind, however there are certain ways to speak to people, especially if you want a returning customer. I told her we were just going to take our business elsewhere and hung up. I proceeded to call JC Penny in Johnsburg, was greeted with a friendly voice, who informed that YES they could definitely squeeze us in. Same day, last minute during the holiday season. We went and had an excellent time! They were very busy but they never made you feel like you were in the way or rushed us. While the prices look high on paper, they are totally understanding of all budgets, they work with you and only sell you what you need/​want, and got a great discount. All worked out in the end. I would avoid this place if you can. *Their «great» package deal only sounds good on paper, you are overcharged in all the upsales and you only get to choose one pose, anything extra will cost you the same as the package for 1 sheet! It only takes one negative experience to lose a customer, yes people are busy and times are hectic, but thats the nature of your business. A little customer service etiquette will go a long way!

An hour and twenty minutes after our scheduled time, we finally get the green light to start the pictures. During the hour and twenty minute wait, I expressed my frustration and disappointment with more than one staff member. It’s like it didn’t matter — they just don’t care. I told the manager, who was apologetic, and requested that if they can show their apology in the form of a discount, it would be more meaningful. I’m writing this while the kids are getting pictures. I’m sure that Portrait Innovations is aiming to provide a better experience. A courtesy call with an opportunity to reschedule in addition to working on their coordination issues would be a start. It’s not like this is the first time. This is the third year of this experience and also the last. I’m going back to JC Penny’s! They did give us a 10% ($ 15) discount but leaving at 8:10pm from a 5:10pm appointment is unacceptable. All said and done, when picking up the pictures they made mistakes. It was really my mistake for coming back to a group that lacks the creativity and business savvy to run this type of business.

Worst place to go! Always running late for appointments. Too much up selling and pictures are just ok. don’t waste your time or money!

Can I give a minus rating? This place has the rudest staff and most misleading pricing of any company that I’ve ever done business with. Beware of their specials. If the photos don’t suck, the salesperson will heckle you until you practically run out the door. Shelters, rude, plain and simple. We’re never going back.

This place is horribly mis-​managed. Only two studios, and one sat idle for 20 mins with a zoo of families and kids already past scheduled times. Then the three photo selection booths are backed up too. Don’t know how they get recurring visits… I won’t be back after this two hour experience for just a sitting with one kid!

We highly recommend Portrait Innovations for a number of reasons… they were very patient with a 2-​year-​old and did everything
they could to «warm» him up to the experience, took numerous pictures (using several different backgrounds), were very helpful and creative when we chose the portrait package, and, most importantly, did not give us the hard sell. The $ 14.99 package is a steal and the other packages are very affordable. They have two outstanding employees… Michelle who was our photographer and Magdalena who assisted us in choosing the right portrait package. Would use them again and recommend to anyone who wants great customer service and reasonable prices. Kudos to Portrait Innovations!