I wish I could give this company more stars but their customer service is poor. I had won a free photo session for my family. Set up session - had a great time doing it. Was told that we would receive our portrait in a few weeks...unfortunately it has been 3 months and nothing. I have called and left text messages to get status but NO one ever return calls or texts. This place has amazing portraits but be fore warned - they are massively expensive. Granted what they do is different from others but the lack of communication is poor. read more

stay away from this company!!! its been a year or more and i still have not received the portrait of my daughter. such a scam!!

Stay away from these people. Good lord I entered the Facebook fairytale contest thing a couple years back but decided never to do it. They have spammed my phone with constant texts and voicemails!! The worst part is they try calling under an "unknown" number then it rings twice and goes straight to voicemail with their number. These people are awful. I've made it clear to stop bugging me. read more

See all

Paid $5,000 for portraits that I never received. No calls. No updates. It's been 7 months. I've filed litigation measures against the company. Whatever you do, do not work with this company. I'll be seeing them in court soon. Save yourself time, effort, and money. read more

Wow. What a scam. Won a giveaway and was so excited when you got they take pics and then bring you into a room where they play sappy music and have you break down what photos you want to get framed. Mind you, you do not get take pics of your pictures nor do you get to keep any of the pictures unless you pay for them via portrait which ranges from $1,000-$10,000, mind freaking blown. The giveaway came with the photoshoot and then a portrait. The portrait we went with so we wouldn't have to pay is basically their smallest size, tiny little thing. They said they would call us once the portrait arrives so we can pick it up....its been 4 months. And when you call you can't talk to anyone you have to place a voicemail and they call you back! Also, they call you like a million times before your photoshoot to ask about you and get you all excited but wow these people are evil. Do not go! Also, you have to pay a $200 deposit which I paid, and it's "full refundable" and I yet to have gotten that back.... read more

Complete scam. You "win" a photoshoot and a gift for your kids only to find out that the said gift is no gift at all. You must spend $1000 to get this "gift" they don't say anything about that up until the very end when your kids are so excited to get their pictures. Made a payment plan so she could have the picture. Paid it off 5 months ago and have yet to receive anything at all. Stay far far away from this sham of a business read more

Don't do it. Do a fairy photoshoot at home. There are much worse things in the world than what these people are doing, I understand that, but why add to the heartache? As a single mom of 4, I've been through some tough stuff, but this was a really upsetting experience for me and something that could have been avoided had I read these reviews first. I'm so glad I brought a friend with me. My twin girls "won" a "free" photoshoot here. We were so excited about this opportunity. I didn't love that I had to pay $200 to reserve our time slot, considering that it was supposed to be free, but having done photography myself in the past, I understood that people might not show up and they need to protect their time. Going into the experience, I also knew that the cost of the prints might be steep and they would try to coerce me into spending more than I can afford, however, nothing could have prepared me for how ABSOLUTELY LUDICROUS their pricing and packaging is. In my mind, I would get a few prints and my girls' dad agreed to split the cost with me. A few hundred dollars for some nice sized prints to frame and smaller ones to share with family... right? That seemed doable and something we agreed upon. My girls had a wonderful time dressing up and being photographed. The staff was very kind to them and they felt so special. That part was wonderful and I would have gladly paid for that. But to ask me to pay $1300 for a small print?! Ok, getting ahead of myself here... After the photo shoot, they take you into a room and immediately begin the salesmanship and dodging questions. They show you a slideshow of your children's beautiful photos, accompanied by emotional music. This is when I started to realize they were really going to try to take me to the cleaners. All this production was ramping up to something. After the slideshow, you narrow down your 11 favorites for a photo book, but no one will tell you the price. Then you ask about a single print and no one will tell you the price. I finally begged to be told how much I would have to pay and they told me. I could get the ONE small "hallway" print I'd chosen, plus my "complimentary" 8x10 print for about $1300. And that was even AFTER the $200 I had paid and the $500 they were crediting me. I was flabbergasted. I immediately began crying because I realized I had been scammed and I couldn't even leave there with one print. Once they realized they were about to lose me, they scrambled to give me options, such as FINANCING A SINGLE PHOTO BOOK FOR 3 YEARS?! "For just $70 a month," they told me. I felt like I was in the twilight zone. "What if I just want prints and I don't want a framed piece?" I asked. "Oh, frames are complimentary and we only sell them that way," they told me. In the end, after getting very frustrated and continually asking them for a more reasonable option, they informed me that I could, in fact, get unframed 8x10 prints. I left there paying $424 for two little 8x10 prints and my "complimentary" print, which I'll receive in 4 to 6 weeks. The only way to get digital versions of the images is to buy a print for hundreds of dollars, so my girls' dad will now only have those three images to choose from, unless he wants to go back in there and see the others so they can try to swindle him too. So upsetting and unnecessary. You can do better than this J. Oates Portraits. You really can. I understand that everyone has to make a living and you're offering a unique experience and product, but be more honest and transparent and don't try to dupe unsuspecting parents with a "free" photoshoot. It's just gross. read more

Product is decent, customer service is terrible. J Oates also decided to give themselves a bonus, and charged an extra payment that they will not refund. They have no explanation and will not return phone calls. I should clarify that there was no invoice that justifies the extra 500 they stole. Avoid this company, as they are scam artists and use predatory sales tactics read more

We were so excited to "win" this giveaway. Until we realized, everyone wins. They make you pay a refundable deposit (which you will not get back unless you ask them because they "forget"). They will not discuss prices on the phone before hand. You get there, everything is great. The kids are absolutely DYING to see their pictures after they are taken. You are taken into a room where you watch an emotional video of the pictures. And you are hit with a price tag that no normal family could afford. $1000+. How devastating that you are put in that position when you could have avoided it completely instead of getting your kids hopes up. Then, you are convinced to finance the product. Which we did. (So so stupid) You wait to get your pictures. Just to receive your picture that was over $1000 defected. Wood glue on the frame, the staple from the frame was hanging out and there were giant bumps on your kids faces. You ask for a refund, they claim you sign something that says non refundable. You don't. You sign something saying your order cannot be cancelled. I didn't want to cancel my order. I wanted a refund because it was defected and not what we were promised. Then I realized I hadn't gotten the digital copies yet. (You have to spend $1000+ to receive the "complimentary" digital copies. I have never left a negative review in my life. But I am so disappointed. read more

AMAZING experience for our daughters! Thought it was a run of the mill portrait studio but wow...I was totally wrong. From the minute we walked in it was all about our girls. The time they take to make our girls so special is so amazing from beginning to end. Definitely recommend to anyone and everyone. Staff is absolutely awesome and they even take care of the parents while the kids are taking photos. Just awesome read more

J Oates Portraits - Session Photography Near Me - Boise, Idaho

Edit: We got our photos, and they were nowhere near worth the $500 an 8x10 (the cheapest photo to buy) we paid. I highly recommend not going through them. Anyone with photoshop could do the same that they do for much less. It's funny how nowhere on their website or fb page is a list of prices. My daughter won their contest, and so we took all three of our kids in for this. The staff is great, the experience is amazing, but their prices are way out there. Btw my husband entered and set this all up not me. I didn't know this was a fine arts thing because the name has portraits in it. I assumed it was like a specialized JC Penny style photos. If you do go in don't get your heart set on more than 1 photo unless you are looking to spend over $500. I ended up selecting 11 photos, and then learned it was going to cost over $2800 for the story book. They also do not offer any digital packages. And you only get digital copies of picture you pay for not all x amount you choose with purchase, but the ones you specifically pay for. They are great with families. The atmosphere inside is amazing and my children has a blast (even our son). But all of this doesn't offset taking out a loan to pay for the portraits. read more

First off, I think this is a scam business or something. Like the other two reviews, I had won some family photos. I had entered on IG and won second place. A $2,000 photo session. Since I am single I have this away to one of my friends. My friend got a phone call by Jen I believe and she was told she needs to put down a $250 deposit for the free family photo session that I had won. That makes absolutely no sense. If I had won a free session, why would it be asked for a deposit? Also, my friend said that she would think about it because that is a lot of money to put down. She was told that they would call her back and it's now been over a week and she hasn't heard back from them. I don't understand this business. Their practices don't seem to be normal or even kosher. Maybe they take some great photos, but how they do things are pretty shady. Just be careful when dealing with them. read more

Won a free photo shoot at the kids fair in Boise Idaho. I knew they were going to push sales at ridiculous prices but I refused up until today to research deeper into it. Now I await the phone call they said they would give me at 11:00. It's 11:09. The reviews for this company are really really really bad... read more

I recently had a new born, haven't been out of the house in the last 5 weeks, decided to take my daughter to the goddess fest as her world has been revolves around her sibling now everything about the baby, so she hasn't been out much either. We're walking and see a booth that said "Enter to win" I put my name in thinking Jeezz what would the odds be, little do I know a week later I have an email, saying I won! I signed everything that needed filled out (they do state there is a FULLY REFUNDABLE FEE) to reserve your spot, as there time should not be wasted. The day of the photo shoot I went online to look for the directions and came across the reviews. I was skeptical as to whether I wanted to cancel or still go. I put those aside and decided I'd better because well after all I WON! When we walked in it looked so magical, majestically a very beautiful place, we were greeted by a beautiful lady who was more than ready to turn my daughter into a fairy. (I was worried my daughter wasn't going to want to go because she didn't know her, but she was more than willing once she showed her the beautiful dresses and head pieces, (oh yeah she got a makeover for free) Sitting there watching her experiencing the beauties of becoming a fairy was a priceless moment. I got to sit and watch as my daughters imagination wondered through the forests. (She still talks about kissing the frog) She's 3. After her session I was sat down to go through the pictures and talk about pricing. (Mind you, I read the reviews about there prices before going in) but in all honesty after looking at the pieces they do, I could not complain. These are once in a lifetime moments at ages you cannot get back. These people do wonders at capturing those moments of there imagination that we tend sometimes to forget. If I didn't just have a newborn and have to buy a new car I gladly would have spent any kind of money to be able to have just one of those pictures the way they are. The work they do is absolutely stunning and the patience and creativity goes beyond just your normal "oh I could do that or find somewhere else cheaper." I absolutely LOVED every minute of the experience and I know my daughter did to. My complimentary photo came out perfect. I'm back working now after my newborn and plan to go back and make payments for a bigger portrait as it's something that will last forever. Thank you J Oates for the beautiful memory. read more

See all

J Oates Review The experience was great for the kids (although parents aren't allowed back in the studio which is off putting). My cousin won a "free fairytale experience" and gifted it to us since she isn't local. However, nothing about this was free. I had to pay a "refundable" $99 deposit to hold my spot (fine, whatever. I get it. People are flaky) but then they show you these wonderful pictures of your kids and tell you their prices. I almost died on their couch. They consider this as "fine art", but people with budgets should have the opportunity to have these pieces as well. And if I'm being completely honest, I wouldn't consider this "fine art". I had 10 pictures picked out that I LOVED and was so excited about, but the photo book was ridiculously priced at $2,600! But don't worry, they give you a $500 discount! (Not really though because your deposit goes towards this amount) I ended up paying $900 for something else and having to pick only 3 images. Needless to say, I left the parking lot crying because I won't get those 7 other pictures of my kids that I loved. We live in a digital age, it's time to offer a package for those of us who can't drop 2 months worth of mortgage payments on pictures. In my opinion, giving away these sessions is scammy when you know people will go in there and buy something. Nothing free about it. Try being a little transparent about what your pricing looks like before people commit and get their hearts broken. I've lost sleep over this. Ive shed tears. I'm extremely sad and disappointed about this still, and it's been over a month since getting the photos done. Fast forward to now, I opened our package and one of the pictures ISN'T EVEN OF MY KID!!! I am pretty sure that's a privacy issue. I don't want some stranger to have a photo of my child and I doubt someone wants me to have a photo of theirs. They expect you to pay top tier prices when their quality control is that of a preschooler. And all they have to say is, "oh what a mix up. We will order the correct one for you." I have never been so angry at a business. DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME OR HARD EARNED MONEY HERE. Complete scam. They should change their name to "Robbing the Treasure Valley Portraits". Take it from me and the many other people who have left negative reviews, avoid this place at all costs. You'll thank me later. read more

Love it! Had a wonderful experience. Would recommend this place to anyone. We plan on having both of my daughters do the fairy tale experience once my youngest is a bit older. read more

I "won" a photo session, but after I looking into this company, I declined. When I politely told them I wasn't interested, Melissa became slightly passive aggressive. Make sure you research this company before accepting any offers! read more

This was truly an amazing and wonderful experience the 4 of us had at the studio's fairytale portrait session yesterday!! It couldn't have been better! We felt so welcomed by Emma when we arrived! Art director Jerry, who made us feel like the world revolved around us, was so professional and personable--and then there were the photos shot by Jennifer!! Absolutely. Beautiful. And those were just the proofs!! Can't wait to see Ellie's final portrait after the artwork has been added to make the fairy fantasy scene come 'alive.' What a delightful experience it was! 5 stars!!! read more

They run a "Free photo shoot give away" SCAM!!!! They offer this free give away to everyone that enters. When you accept and go do the shoot they are great until it is over. They then proceed to severely push you to buying all of the photos instead of just getting the one free one they offer. They are also known to try and guilt trip people into buying these photos! these photos ARE NOT cheap! Now if you decide that you don't want to take this free offer they harass you non stop! they do not want to take no as an answer! I told them that I wasn't interested 6 months ago and they have started calling and texting me about the offer AGAIN! They didn't want to take no as an answer the first time! I have had to resort to blocking all miners they try to contact me with. Unfortunately it seems they are using some kind of app that makes it so they can use different numbers. They have turned off their google reviews and I wonder why. haha. From what I have he just from word of mouth this that they are horrible and love to run their scam and fuck ppl out of hundreds of dollar! read more

They email saying you've won a $2000 package deal. Find out you pay $250 to hold your spot....why? It's free, right? Not so.

Images received were not even edited in the way requested. We were told that they would be happy to replace it, but every time we attempt to return the image so they can reframe it, they seem to be closed. I wouldn't recommend this business as it feels like quite the scam based around unethical marketing tactics. read more