Jcp Portraits

Laura was so sweet and accommodating. It was easy to make the appointment with her via phone, and she followed up with me promptly via email on additional questions that I had. She was great in setting up my family’s poses and providing direction for us, including our beloved canine! She gladly accepted a valid online coupon that I had, so we received a fantastic deal. We were all very pleased with how the photos came out and look forward to working with JCP again (hopefully with Laura!) for our future portrait sessions!
JCP is one of the few in-​store studios in the VA Beach area that accepts pets, centrally located in the Lynnhaven Mall. If you want to bring a pet, the only appointment time allowed is the last appointment of the day.

I never got high school senior photos done, so for college graduation, I figured I should get professional photos done. I didn’t do much research as I just wanted a standard photo of me in my cap and gown and a couple of photos with my mom and my grandparents. That was when I found a Groupon for $ 19 for «One enhanced sheet and one 3-​image CD with sitting fees included plus 50% off additional purchases». In my mind, that was really all I needed, and 50% off for maybe an extra print or two didn’t sound bad.
Scheduling (⁵⁄₅): Was very convenient to go online to book an appointment. Online, you pick your location, then you’re given a calendar with available times. It asks what type of portrait you’re looking to get done. I also mentioned I had my Groupon in the Notes section. The day before the appointment, someone from the studio called me to confirm, too.
Pre-​session (⁵⁄₅): I booked for a 10am appointment, and JCPenney did not open until 10am on the dot, so we did have to wait outside of JCPenney until exactly at 10am. I would keep that in mind if you book that early. I think it’s also a great time as the mall, especially the studio area, was deserted.
We met the photographer, Laura. She was very patient with us, especially as I started putting together my cap, gown and everything in between likes pins and medal. Looking at our unfortunately mismatched colors and clothing, she suggested what backgrounds we should use. Then, it took a few minutes to set them up, but it was alright because I was still attempting to look good in my grad gown (if it’s any possible).
During the session (⁵⁄₅): Laura was great! I haven’t really done professional portraits since I was a kid, but she directed me well with suggestions of poses. The same went for my mom and my grandparents. My grandparents especially enjoyed the session! She was very patient, especially since we were all very awkward with posing. She also listened to the type of photos I wanted.
Post-​session — Choosing the photos (⁴⁄₅): I came in and booked this appointment for a couple photos. I figured I was going to get only a few photos, right? Well, they all ended up really great! And my mom is a sucker for buying photos and sentimental things. I had to keep reminding my mom that we had no use for so many prints, but Laura sounded reasonable, and she wasn’t pushy. In the end, I think we still got a great deal. Having a Groupon apparently gave us extra discounts, so instead we purchased the Media Bundle.
What is the Media Bundle? It is a package deal that includes a high resolution CD with all the images from your session, 6 enhanced prints/​sheets, 6 traditional prints/​sheets, and a choice of a 10×20 framed photo or 10×20 canvas wrapped image. JCP Portraits toot that it’s worth around $ 400, but somehow, I’ve found the JCP always has some deal that makes it around $ 220 – 225 with discounts. With the $ 19 Groupon, you can get it for $ 180 – 185 plus tax (basically the same as with their discounts).
Post-​session — Pick-​up (4.5÷5): Our photos and frame were ready to pick up a week later. At pick-​up, a different photographer on duty let me see all of my photos to make sure they looked alright.
Apparently, it’s a JCP Portraits thing to print 4 extra sheets of chosen photos for you for optional purchase. If you choose to only buy one of the sheets, it’s $ 10, but if you buy all four, it’s $ 20. What a deal, right? They really know how to suck you in.
I am taking .5 off just because I had to remind the photographer about my frame. I’m giving the benefit of the doubt that she forgot because I went ahead to say it first thing.
Overall (4.7÷5): JCP Portraits is a good value. The Groupon is available to get you in the door, but it does save you in sitting fees if you have a big group. Professional photos will be expensive everywhere else, but I think for the photos I received, the price was justified. Plus, your photos are available to view online, and you can re-​order prints and other products with your photos online.
It may be that JCP Portraits is under-​staffed or not usually busy because only one photographer there was on duty during my session and during my pick-​up. At pick-​up, the photographer had to pause her session to give me my order, I think.
If you go here, I would recommend Laura. She made our session really fun, and in purchasing photos, we never felt pressured. If we need more photos done, we’d definitely come back.
It’s at the 2^nd floor of JCPenney at a corner tucked behind the housewares, so the studio feels private and quiet. And for anyone concerned, it was really clean.
Finally, bring your own props!