F.A.Q.
The last time we had a FAQ, things were different. So… let us address a few of the questions we still hear often.
Do you have backdrops, sets, clothes, costumes, fairy wings….?
We only work in the field or on location, and we photograph people in their natural settings. We photograph what will, in the future, become your memories. So, if your kids dress up in fairy wings, we might just photograph them in fairy wings. Since people don’t normally live in other people’s clothes or in photography studios… we do not provide clothes and we do not use backdrops or sets. Some of our work may look so idealistic that you think you are looking at a model, with professional make-up on a set - none of which happens here.
Do you use digital equipment?
Yes, finally, we use digital equipment. A lot of people jumped into digital really quickly, and we let them go… and watched them spend a LOT of money and time. Only within the last two or three years has the industry, along with technology, provided tools that would make it possible for us to consider digital equipment. Today, you will see your images up to 22 inches wide on our cinema displays in slide show fashion, before you order.
What kind of prints can I get? Can I get them on the same day?
We still use a commercial photographic lab to make your prints. Our product is not an “ink jet” print (or “gilicee”). For what we do, the traditional color photographic print gives us a foundation for creating a much more durable product. For just one photograph, it may require several hours of color balancing, enhancement and retouching before we order it from our lab, and then it takes a few days to get it back, after which we mount and lacquer finish it with our own special texture that resists fading, moisture damage and also reduces glare. An ink jet print would only be used in case of a time restraint where it was appropriate. Ink jet prints can be high quality, but they don’t work in our products. Yes, we have tried!
The bottom line is that it usually takes a minimum three to six weeks to finish a print order. The photographs are still real photographs, not from an ink jet printer. Storybooks take a bit longer to complete. Of course, it can take longer, depending on your needs. We do custom work, so each order is different.
Do you retouch photos?
Most of our images have a moderate amount of retouching, and a few have extensive work. We have done just about anything you can imagine. When it comes to blemishes, wrinkles, shadows and enhancement of facial features, that is all a part of our service. We only charge extra for head switches and work that is excessive or beyond our normal scope. For example, if your house is yellow and you want it green in every photo, that isn’t within our normal scope and we would have to charge extra for that.
We aim to capture just the right angle so you will look great, but when it comes right down to it, we do a little more so you don’t have to worry about little details that make you uncomfortable with your appearance.
How is the finished product different from that of other photographers?
In lots of ways. To name a few:
- Good planning before the image is captured.
- Consulting about each image you purchase. You make the choices, unless you ask us to.
- Careful attention to your requests for cropping and retouching.
- Precise adjustment to color and density. We re-print if it does not meet our standards.
- Each enlargement mounted on a mat board for stability.
- Rick’s unique lacquer finish process that resists glare, fading and surface damage.
- Our unique Storybook designs, suited to each photo session.
- Very high customer satisfaction with our final product.
Are you going to answer any more questions?
Yes…. later. 