Reviews of Portrait Studio in Walmart (Photo Studio)

Jacqueline Young

Ridiculous overcharging for passport photos. My husband had his done at the Walmart in Strathmore for under $10. I was under the assumption that this photo studio would be close to the same price. I should’ve asked about the cost prior to getting them done however, as the prices are not posted. $29.95 per child is what they cost, for a total of $62.98. I wish I’d read the other reviews prior to getting these done. Shame on Walmart 130th for associating themselves with these crooks. We will definitely not be using this particular studio for anything again.

Avnissh Gupta

We deeply regret to chose this place for our family shoot using their on-location and in-studio package. What a waste of our family's precious time, our money on inferior quality of photographs (they don't process photos for poor lighting etc.). Staff doesn't specify overall cost of shoot, access to photos, and photo processing and keep it hidden until you are well trapped into their marketing gimmicks of starred 49.99 CAD plans. Every layer of information about additional cost is revealed in layers when you have already completed the shoots. I chose this place over local professional photographers thinking this will be a better value for money, but I was proven wrong at every step while dealing with them. Looks like they are only good for quick and easy passport photos.

Cindy Hoang

Went to Walmart Portrait Studio to get a family portrait done since we have not taken a nice one in so long! Was very impressed and surprised by the exceptional service provided by Kate! Although it was pretty busy, Kate still managed to be courteous and helpful to not just us- but everyone! Service was on point and I would definitely come back just based on today’s experience!

Z Mvie

I was in and out in less than 5 minutes. Becca provided excellent service, with a smile. She positioned me on the seat, asked for a neutral expression, took the photo, showed me for approval, told me the head was measured and of good size, and the shoulders were clearly visible. Also said if there were any problems, come back for a free reshoot.

Monique Schoeman

Took our two month old baby to get a passport photo. Once taken we questioned the “photographer” as the photo looked extremely over exposed, she assured us it would be fine as they aren’t that strict on baby photos. Turned out the photo was rejected so we went back to get it redone, again did not turn out so decided to get a refund. The technology they use is very out dated and they don’t seem to have a set protocol on how to take baby photos and to make matters worst they charge $30!

Felix Fernando

CAD 22/- for 2 Pcs. instant photographs for Canadian Immigration ! I did not know any other studio in South East Calgary close to where I live and being new to the place, I had to use the only studio that I knew. When inquired, I was told that the cost for the 2 Pcs instant photographs was Canadian Dollars Twenty Two (CAD 22/-) which I thought was excessive. However, due to the nature of the requirement and the circumstances I agreed. The same photographs cost me less than 1/3rd for 12 Pcs and I could re-order at any time later, whereas you got to pay another CAD 22/- for 2 Pcs. here at Portrait Studio if you want any more in the future, or pay an additional CAD 10/- for two more copies. The quality of the photographs were not that great, far below my standards, myself being someone used to taking photographs now using a Canon 60D DSLR professional camera. However, the pictures were within the specified size and background, but not enough light in my opinion. When hinted about it, the lady who took the picture said that it is okay, if they (Canadian Immigration ) does not accept, we will take another set of pictures free of cost. She was not rude or anything, explained to me what I have to do i.e. write my name and date of birth on the reverse of the photograph, etc., So, I have submitted the two photographs to CPC in Ottawa and keeping my fingers crossed. Trust the above review would help the Studio to evaluate the cost and quality of their services. Sincerely, Felix Fernando

Mina M.Ebrahimi

Horrible Service. The lady who worked there when I went to take a photo of myself for Citizenship has no idea of what she was doing and also did not shot her mouth for a second and let me explain what I need. She wasted our time 30 minutes and kept on re printing my photo with a mistake each time. She just pretended she knows everything but in reality she had no clue of her job. Awful service.

Sarah Zr.

Extremely poor customer service. I will be taking this higher because i have never seen this much anger and impatience in a person whose job is to offer a service to clients. It's disgusting. Do not bother going there. Edit : ALSO, passeport photos are 30$. Save your money and go to Costco and get it done for 7$, OR to shoppers for about 20$. You will be treated a lot nicer.

Colby

Even one star is to many... Staff up charges you but say its "free add-on's." Passport photos are under $10 everywhere else in town, yet they charge $28... then they automatically book you a studio appointment and leave you a automated voice mail... This place is worse than dealing with a greasy used car salesman.

Dan k

Only leaving one star because zero wasn't an option... After reviewing prices on the internet, my son went here for his passport photos. They tried to charge him $30. When he showed the screen shot of the internet price of $7 they said that was an American website. Unfortunately it gets worse... My wife and daughter went the next day (without hearing about the pricing issue). Photos were taken and they told to wait at least an hour. They went back late in the afternoon to find a handwritten sign saying the photoshop was temporarily closed. She went back the following day to discover they could not find the pictures and would have to reprint. The photoshop called back the following day to say the digital pictures had been deleted. So ... three days gone and no photos. A complete waste of time. At least Costco can do them in one hour for $7. I'm not sure how Walmart can associate themselves with this outfit, especially seeing the similar reviews on Google. It certainly tarnishes Walmart's reputation - they cannot be considered a customer service oriented outlet.

Kels Mack

What a joke of a business. I blame the portrait studio and Walmart. Walmart.ca says passport photos are $10.00 yet when it came time to pay they charged us $58.00 for two passport photos!! What a joke. I told them it says $10 online and they said only two Walmart’s in Canada have photo centres and they are not connected! The guy had the nerve to tell us after we paid that Costco charges $6.00 per passport photo. Would absolutely not recommend! Take your money to Costco! Total crooks

Jennifer Ulaszonek

Absolutely worst service I've ever received from start to finish Would give ZERO stars if it were possible.... My husband got a "special" $49 photo package as a part of a passport photo that he had purchased... Had a 30 min on-site photo shoot done with Photos Unlimited through the Wal Mart 130th Ave SE studio. Photos were as far from professional as could be. Our photos were full of glare, blurry, pictures of our dogs rear ends.. questioned the validity of the photographer as well. (Photographer was however nice) To make matter worse, we went a few days later to select our PHOTOS as we had an appointment at 6:30pm... got there 5 minutes early.. the lady working not only didn't acknowledge us whatsoever for 35 minutes (6:50pm) until my husband spoke up TWICE, but again ignored us for another 25 minutes once we had selected our photos... numerous people also waited in excess of 15-20 minutes in line and it wasn't busy at all. Finally my husband had asked for the manager multiple times... the lady working after refusing to first give us her managers number and name.. finally gave it and said "I'm just an associate" what do you want me to do? My husband explained that we were simply here for a 6:30 appointment to select our photos, order them with Christmas Cards.. and that being ignored and treated like garbage was not a part of the "package". We were then contacted by her manager who after everything that had already went on A: refused to give us our money back (but could speak to someone above her) and then B: wanted to give us a WHOPPING 10% off our Christmas Cards (which worked out to 77 cents to maybe 2$ tops) After 2 more days of phone calls back and forth we were told that the Christmas Card would in fact be free BUT that we could only chose ONE photo for not only ALL our photos (package) but our Christmas cards as well... who in their right mind would go for a 30 min, 60 min, 90 min photo SHOOT to just select ONE photo.... My husband asked at the time of purchasing this "Special" how many photos we could have and were told "as many as the 30 minute allowed and from there, select the ONES not ONE we want...this of course was denied by the manager. Finally, my husband had enough after the manager AGAIN refused any type of a refund as we "paid for their services"... After a few choice words, my husband told them to keep the $49. Absolutely stay away from Photos Unlimited and this studio unless you want sub par photos and to be treated like garbage !!!!