From the beginning of this process, which started with texts and phone calls, was absolutely amazing! Everyone was so incredibly kind. This was my first
Photo shoot. The photographer did an excellent job coaching me, the receptionist was kind and warm. And Olha was so wonderful to take her time with me, explain everything to me. it was such a wonderful experience that I will never forget!
Response from CasteloportraitartAug 18, 2026
Megan, thank you so much! We absolutely loved having you at Castelo! Knowing this was your very first photo shoot makes it even more special to hear that you felt comfortable, cared for, and guided throughout the entire experience.
We’ll make sure Olha and the rest of the team see your kind words. Thank you for trusting us to create something special for you—we hope you treasure the experience and your portraits for many years to come!
AS
Ashley S.
Predatory sales ploy
Please read before participating in Castelo Portrait Art's “complimentary” magazine promotions.
We entered their Children of the South project after an ad said they were looking for children to photograph for a new magazine and that, “If chosen,” they would receive a “GIFTED fine art children's portrait session including artwork.” We were then told, “Good News—you were selected!”
Because this required a 4-hour round trip and taking off work, I specifically contacted them BEFORE attending, stated that we would not be purchasing anything, and asked for reassurance that this wasn't a sales ploy. Laura assured me it was not, that this was a real magazine being published, and no purchase was required.
The photographer, Sarah, was wonderful—talented, patient and kind. Our issue is not with her photography.
Only AFTER the session did we learn that the digital photographs were not included. When we asked to go home and think about purchasing them, we were told the images would not remain available. Most importantly, we were told our daughter would only be featured in the magazine—the entire reason we made the trip—if we made a purchase. We were told we had “misunderstood.”
I strongly disagree. I had specifically raised this exact concern beforehand and attended only after being reassured.
We ultimately purchased three digital images because we understood this was the only way to preserve any of our daughter's photographs and her magazine opportunity. The documents the company later relied upon were presented after the session, not before we traveled there.
There was another concerning issue: our written purchase stated that the digital files were printable up to 10 inches. When I attempted to print one at only 8×8, the resolution was too low. I am a photographer myself and am very familiar with image resolution and print requirements. In my experience, the files provided did not meet the print use that was represented.
They did issue a full refund after I complained, which I appreciate, but refused to provide the remaining photographs.
I have since found other public complaints/reviews describing surprisingly similar experiences, which makes it difficult for me to accept that this is simply an isolated “misunderstanding.” When multiple unrelated consumers walk away from similar promotions with similar understandings, I believe it's reasonable to question whether the promotion itself is sufficiently clear.
My advice: Get everything in writing BEFORE attending. Ask exactly what digital images you receive for free, whether purchasing anything is required for the magazine FEATURE, whether your images remain available if you don't purchase that day, and what the pricing is.
Had those terms been clearly disclosed when I specifically asked, we never would have made the trip.
Response from CasteloportraitartAug 18, 2026
We strongly disagree with this characterization of our business.
The client received her portrait session and subsequently purchased three digital images. When she later expressed dissatisfaction, we issued a full refund of her purchase in an effort to resolve the matter.
After receiving that refund, she demanded that we also provide the remaining photographs from her session at no charge. When we declined to provide products that had neither been purchased nor included in the complimentary offer, she stated that she would pursue the BBB, social media, local news, Google reviews, consumer affairs, the FTC and the Attorney General unless the additional photographs were provided.
We will always listen to concerns and work in good faith to resolve legitimate client issues. However, we will not provide additional products in response to threats of negative reviews or complaints. We believe every Castelo client deserves to be treated fairly and consistently, and giving one client additional products because of such pressure would be unfair to the thousands of clients who respectfully participate under the same terms.
This client received a full refund. We consider the financial matter completely resolved and wish her and her family well.
CE
Celine
This woman is a disgusting human being…
This woman is a disgusting human being that is out for money, please do not make the mistake we did and fall for her preying tactics. She looks for children or military members or “cancer survivors” and acts like you have a credited photo shoot to be featured in her “portfolio”. Once seeing the photos she is charging over $5000 for extremely low quality work and then using pressure tactics and cruelty to bully you into buying these supposed works of art of hers. She needs to be shut down, truly one of the lowest humans I’ve sadly come across that claims to run a business.
Response from CasteloportraitartAug 18, 2026
We take reviews seriously, but we have been unable to identify this reviewer as a client of Castelo Portrait Art or locate any record of an experience matching what is described here.
We have no record of a client named Celine associated with these claims. We therefore cannot verify that this review is based on an actual experience with our studio.
The statements describing our owner as a “disgusting human being,” “one of the lowest humans,” and claiming that she “preys” on children, military members and cancer survivors are extremely serious personal accusations.
If this reviewer has actually done business with Castelo Portrait Art, we ask that she provide Trustpilot with information sufficient to verify her experience so that we can investigate it appropriately.
Until then, we strongly dispute both the characterization of our business and the personal attacks contained in this review.
MA
Max
Ai is NOT ART
Ai editing is incredibly obvious and tells me that these “artists” do not value other artists and would rather sell their subjects likeness to a machine than learn or support someone who can. Do not trust these people with images of your children, they will end up in Grok without clothes.
Response from CasteloportraitartAug 18, 2026
This review contains serious and completely false allegations about our studio.
Castelo Portrait Art does not use AI to generate or alter our clients’ portraits. Our artwork is created and retouched by our artists, and we take the privacy and protection of our clients’ images—particularly images of children—extremely seriously.
The suggestion that photographs of children entrusted to our studio would be uploaded to Grok and manipulated in the manner described in this review is categorically false. We would never engage in such conduct.
We also cannot identify this reviewer as a Castelo client or locate an experience with our studio that corresponds with these allegations.
We welcome genuine feedback from our clients, including criticism of our work. However, making unsupported allegations involving the safety and privacy of children's photographs is an entirely different matter, and we strongly dispute these statements.
MA
Marcie A.
Not professionals / fake
She works from her own home with the side garage made into a studio. They tell you won child of the month and have a chance for your child of the month to be on their magazine and picture on site . There’s a lot of recordings of what they own on using your child’s pictures. There is no free pictures of your child . They put you in the sales room of the garage and show pictures that costs thousands. One picture of my child was 6 thousand dollars and it wasn’t even to be a painting . It was just a print . She wants to paint a story have she just found her photograph life. She’s cold and didn’t even what here my son story as he was adopted and a survivor
Response from CasteloportraitartAug 18, 2026
There are several factual inaccuracies in this review that we would like to correct.
Castelo Portrait Art does not operate out of a home or a converted garage. We operate from a dedicated commercial location.
We have also been in business for more than 20 years, photographing thousands of clients and families. Children and their stories are incredibly important to us, and suggesting that we do not care about the children we photograph is simply not an accurate representation of who we are or how our team works.
Our portrait artwork is available in a variety of sizes and finishes at different price points. Clients are never required to purchase thousands of dollars in artwork simply because they participate in one of our projects.
We respect that our artwork and pricing will not be the right fit for everyone. However, we do ask that reviews accurately represent our business, our location, and the experience we provide.
We do not see you in our system and beleive you left this review in the wrong account.
CF
Cyrus F.
I had a fantastic time with the Castelo…
I had a fantastic time with the Castelo Team being photographed for the 40 over 40 Men’s Magazine Project. They are fun , professional and so very talented. I recommend giving them a call and booking a session today.
Response from CasteloportraitartAug 18, 2026
Thank you so much! We will never forget you—or those incredible tattoos! It was such a pleasure having you as part of our 40 Over 40 Men’s Magazine Project. Thank you for trusting us and for recommending Castelo. We loved creating these portraits with you!
CJ
Claire J.
Great Photographers
I absolutely loved Castelo Portrait Art! The staff was friendly, they kept up with the bookings via email and even did a courtesy call to remind me what I needed and the details. The pricing is fair. 10/10 would recommend! I felt beautiful leaving.
Response from CasteloportraitartAug 18, 2026
Claire, thank you so much! ❤️ We love hearing that you felt taken care of from booking all the way through your session. But our absolute favorite part is hearing that you left feeling beautiful—that means everything to us! Thank you for trusting Castelo and for the wonderful recommendation!
RC
Rebekah C.
Once in a lifetime experience! Incredible Art!
What an incredible experience, I was not able to take my eyes off the interaction between Maria and my daughter. There was an obvious flow of creativity that was manifesting in real time. My twelve-year-old dancer enjoyed every angel suggestion, prop introduction, and interactive pose. Prepare to be truly marveled by Maria’s vision and creations. The love for her art is palpable. From the time that we walked in her studio, it was clear that we were her only priority during our session and she was absolutely dedicated to making dreamlike portraits. Her experience, skillfulness and talent were obvious when directing posture changes that created astonishing impacts on the final take. I booked a session to celebrate my daughter's first pointe shoes after seven years of dedicated ballet training. I am beyond delighted with our portrait and feel fortunate to be able to share this gift with my daughter. I walked out of Castelo’s Portrait Art with an Heirloom piece that will journey through time and generations.
Response from CasteloportraitartAug 18, 2026
What an incredibly beautiful review—thank you! ❤️ I still remember this session and the magic of celebrating such an important milestone in your daughter’s life. Her first pointe shoes represented years of dedication, and it was an honor to create something worthy of that moment.
Knowing that her portrait will live in your family and be passed down through generations is exactly why we do what we do. Thank you for trusting me with such a special memory. ❤️