A Royal Day to Remember: The Enchanted Kingdom Portraits Experience at JCPenney

If you’ve ever dreamed of capturing a real-life fairytale moment for your child, JCPenney Portraits is making that dream a reality—for one magical day only.

The Enchanted Kingdom Portrait Experience is an immersive, professionally styled photoshoot designed to transform your little one into a princess or a knight. Complete with castle backdrops, gowns, props, and storybook flair, this limited-time event feels like stepping into the pages of a fairytale.

✨ What’s Included in the Experience
JCPenney provides a full royal wardrobe in a range of sizes, along with detailed props and magical touches. Depending on availability, children can choose from:

👗 Princess Gowns (Sizes 18 months – 10+)

Elegant, full-length dresses in colors like pink, lavender, gold, and blue

Accessories like gloves, tiaras, wands, jewelry, and plush unicorns or frogs

Silk bouquets and golden scepters for that perfect finishing touch


🛡️ Knight Costumes (Sizes 1 – 6+)

Tunics, capes, crowns, and armor

Plush dragons, shields, swords, storybooks, and hobby horses

Themed props that make every child feel like a protector of the realm


All portraits are taken in front of a lush enchanted castle backdrop—complete with vibrant flowers, soft lighting, and a sense of whimsy that’s perfect for wall prints or holiday gifts.

💡 Important Details to Know
This is a one-day event only. Appointments are booked in 15-minute intervals, but each session takes about 45 minutes total.

Costumes and props are provided, but you may also bring your own if your child has a favorite outfit.

Hair and makeup are not included, so come photo-ready!

This event is not offered at all locations. In fact, the studio I visited is the only participating location within 450 miles in its district. Be sure to search your ZIP code on the official JCPenney Portraits website to confirm availability in your area.

💲 Pricing Transparency
The basic packages start around $200, and deluxe packages can reach up to $340. At the time of writing, there’s a $40 discount on the deluxe package, bringing it down to $300. If you're a Perks Club Member, you may receive an additional 10% off—and potentially more if you use a JCPenney credit card.

Yes, it’s an investment—and while the portraits are breathtaking, I know this won’t be feasible for every family.

🏡 DIY Fantasy Photoshoot: A Royal Plan B
If you’re unable to attend due to location or cost, don’t worry—you can still make magic at home. I’ve created a simple DIY fantasy photoshoot checklist with tips on costumes, props, and affordable Amazon backdrops. It’s a beautiful way to capture princess or knight memories using items you may already have (or can find for far less).

✨ DIY Princess Fantasy Photo Shoot Checklist
Create magical memories with affordable, enchanted style!

👑 OUTFITS & COSTUMES
Shop these locations for dresses & costumes:

🛍 JCPenney Disneyland Boutique (check your local store or website)

📦 Amazon (search "Disney Princess Dress" or "[Princess Name] Costume")

🛒 Walmart / Target (often carry seasonal princess gear)

💸 Dollar Tree / 99¢ Store (basic dress-up items)

🎃 Spirit Halloween (now opening nationwide – great for seasonal options)

Princess Dress Options:
Cinderella, Belle, Ariel, Aurora, Tiana, Rapunzel, Elsa, Anna, Moana, Snow White, and Merida

Alternative Character Ideas:
Fairies (Tinker Bell, Flora/Fauna/Merryweather) Queens, Ladies-in-Waiting, or Royal Knights

✨ ACCESSORIES
Dollar Stores, Amazon, and Party Sites are treasure troves!

Plastic or jeweled crowns/tiaras

Glittery wands and scepters

Long princess gloves (white, pink, or satin)

Necklaces, clip-on earrings, and play rings

Foam swords and shields (for knights or warrior princesses)

Capes or cloaks (can also be made from dollar store scarves!)

Princess hand mirrors, fans, or parasol props

🛍 Bonus Sources:
Oriental Trading Company (bulk favors & photo props) Michaels, or Hobby Lobby (craft supplies, fairy wings, tulle, flowers)

📸 PHOTO SHOOT SETUP
Background Ideas:

🏰 Cardboard castle or painted backdrop

🌳 Backyard enchanted forest with floral garlands and lanterns

✨ Sheer curtains for dreamy indoor setup

🧺 Picnic blanket with royal tea party setup

🌹 Rose petals, glitter, or faux snow for effect

Props:
Princess-themed plushies (Pascal, Flounder, Olaf, etc.)

Stuffed animals posed as “animal sidekicks”

Faux books (spell books, fairy tales)

Toy carriages or rocking horses

Mini mirror, perfume bottle, or vintage hand fan

Lighting Tips:
Golden hour (early morning or sunset) for natural fairytale lighting

Twinkle lights or string fairy lights for indoor sparkle

Use soft lamp light through a white sheet for diffused effect

💫 POSE & PHOTO IDEAS
Holding a wand and “casting a spell”

Looking in a mirror with a dreamy expression

Curtsying or holding out the gown like a ballroom princess

Sitting on a “throne” (chair with a throw blanket or pillow)

Standing beside a prince, knight, or sister princess

Reading a storybook in a fairy-tale pose

📦 OPTIONAL CRAFTS BEFOREHAND
Make your own paper crown or felt wand

Decorate foam swords or treasure boxes

Create glitter jars or “magic potions” in recycled bottles

Color princess-themed printables (search free coloring sheets)

💌 FINISHING TOUCHES
Invite friends or cousins for a royal “photo day”

Share final photos as keepsake postcards or scrapbook pages

Offer each child a printed “Princess Portrait” or Royal Certificate of Participation

Record video snippets to turn into a fantasy memory reel

💌 A Thank You to the Studio
I want to personally thank Karen, the manager at my local JCPenney Portrait Studio, who went out of her way to share official costume and backdrop photos with me. Her kindness and support truly made this feature possible.

🏰 Final Thoughts
The Enchanted Kingdom Portrait Experience is more than a photoshoot—it’s a magical moment frozen in time. Whether you choose the full royal treatment at the studio or create your own at home, the goal is the same: to celebrate childhood wonder, imagination, and the stories we carry in our hearts.