do i need a data plan to ricvie by text pics?

Yes you need data plan to receive MMS

I believe you can use your perks or upgrades as well to try it out? Someone correct me if I am wrong.

Well it dependes, I have an iPhone and to be able to receive imessages with pics you only need to be connected to a WiFI

Yes , no data , no photo by text

Yep. But it's it's not so expensive to adjust your plan to add some.

And adjust your plan BEFORE launch prices are over to keep them low.