Ordering Info (Frequently Asked Questions)

What is the best way to make my selections for ordering? There are several ways to do this. The one I find the best is to:

-- start at the gallery thumbnail view, look at the thumbnails to find the shots you think you like the best. Select the ones you think you like as a FAVORITE. (click the Heart icon)once you have selected all the thumbnails you like you can go into your FAVORITES section and bring them up large and COMPARE them with similar shots, removing the ones you decide against ordering as you go. (to COMPARE click the little flag icon) This way you will always have your most Favorite shots in your FAVORITES section. Click on the thumbnail you are interested in will always bring up a larger version and clicking on that images will bring up an even larger version. Clicking the Shopping cart icon will bring up ordering options on the right.


You can download images and save them to your hard drive at any time during the process. Just click on the downward facing arrow icon (just above or below the image) and you will be prompted to save the file to a directory of your choice on your computer's hard drive.



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NOTE: HOW TO DOWNLOAD YOUR IMAGES All of our sessions include downloadable image files at no charge. You may DOWNLOAD the full 900px x 600px image file to your hard drive by clicking the DOWNLOAD ARROW icon above or below every thumbnail or medium or large size image. You can make a folder in your computer's "My Pictures" and save all the photos you like to your computer. These images are jpegs and can be easily emailed, posted to a website (my space, facebook, online dating, social network sites, etc.), and or can be printed up nicely at sizes up to about 4" x 6" on your home printer or at any place that prints photos

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-- Once you have gone through all your photos and have chosen your FAVORITES and then narrowed them to the photos you think you want to order you can add them into your Shopping Cart, you can then still always go into the Cart and edit your selections further if need be. You can remove..., add..., or change the sizes... or add or edit notes or special instructions to any of your selected shots. Nothing is confirmed until you click all the way through and Pay for the order either through our merchant bank credit card form or with Paypal.

-- Once you have your order exactly as you like simply click the "Check Out" button and select your method of payment. That is all there is to it.


If I order 2 photos of the same image is there a discount?
Yes, the more you order the less the photos cost -- providing they are the same size, same image and on the same order. The second print will be around 50% the cost of the first and the price goes down more as you order more. The cart will automatically adjust the price base on the number of prints ordered. Retouching will only be charged on the first order of an image. All future orders from the same image file get the same retouch at no charge.

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ALL ABOUT RETOUCHING
There are 5 main elements to great photos - the model, the photography, the makeup and hair, the styling, and the retouching. Everyone and every photo can benefit from retouching, and it is the one most important things that makes a good photo into a great photo.

For small images that only need a little softening, computer retouching is very inexpensive and the way to go.

For for those shots that you want perfect you should order "Magazine Perfect Retouching" where the best value is ordering in 3 hour blocks. For the best results retouching is necessary. It is why every magazine cover and most every photo published is retouched, and it is why we recommend Magazine Style retouching. The retouching removes or softens blemishes, wrinkles, and lines. However it is the "Enhancements" that are where the "magic" comes in. I can pretty much Enhance, Enlarge, Shrink, Thin, Reshape, Lift, etc., anything and everything. I can do way more than any cosmetic surgeon, and at a tiny fraction of the cost and with no pain.

The jpeg images in your galleries look very close to how any un-retouched photo will look in the final print. If you are 100% happy with them as they are, you do not need retouching. So this is the time to see if there is any retouching that you will want to have done. Pretty much anything can be done to make your image look the way you want.

A image is only charged one time for a retouching option. If you order 1 shot retouched, all future or additional print orders of that image would have that same retouching at no additional charge.


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Can I order small prints? 4x6s and Wallet Sizes The downloadable image files can make great 4x6 prints and you can have them made at any photo store. We do not offer the smaller prints except as part of a Proof Print option or as a option on a larger size print order. If you want us to provide the prints, when you select your Ala Karte prints you will have the option to order 5 x7s, 4x6s or wallets of the same images as an option. 5" x 7" and 4" x 6" and Wallet sized prints can only be ordered as a option on prints over 8"x10".

What is the STORE Link?
The STORE, is probably where you ordered and paid for your Photo Session Deposits or Photo Sessions. there you can also order Headshots, Composites, Business Cards PhotoBooks, Calendars, Retouching by the Hour, Specialty Display Prints, Digital Files, Proofs, HiRes w/ Copyright releases, Custom WebSites and more.

What is a protective UV Coating?
Prints that will be displayed in brightly lit rooms will fade in time. The protective UV Coating is a water proof plastic laminate that blocks out the majority of the damaging Ultra Violet rays that cause the fading. It will also protect the photo from, dirt and pollutants and allows the photo to washed off with a mild soap and water without damage. If your photos will be handled frequently a UV coating will protect them from any oils and dirt on the hands.

Can you explain why images must be cropped or floated for some size of prints?
All images are shot and displayed in 2 to 3 proportion ratio. 4x6, 8x12, 12x18, 16x24, and 20x30 prints are the same ratio. 8x10, 11x14,16x20 prints which are popular for old frame sizes, must be ordered either cropped or as fine art matte style. A proportional crop will be applied to the preview image when selecting these sizes. This will give you an idea of how the shot would be cropped if you do not want the "fine art matte" style. This is a approximate crop and we may adjust that crop a bit differently as shown in the previews to make it fit as best as possible.

Where are "my pictures"?
If you have been granted access to a gallery, log in first, then click on "My Pictures" next to your name toward the top left corner of the screen.

What is. "My Pictures"?
"My Pictures" are the galleries that you have access to.

Will the pictures I select stay in my shopping cart?
Yes. As long as you have registered, and make sure you are logged in on each visit, your pictures will stay in your FAVORITES and shopping cart until you either place the order or delete them yourself.

I can't seem to log in.
Log in information is case sensitive, be sure you have entered it correctly. If you have forgotten your password, click here.

Why do I have to register to add images to my shopping cart?
By registering an account, you are able to keep items in your shopping cart for a long period of time. Additionally, you will be able to view your orders and private galleries (if available) by having an account.

Does it cost anything to register for an account?
No.

I have been sent access information for a gallery, what do I do?
Click the Access Gallery link. In your email there should be a Access Code. Enter the Access Code on that page. If entered correctly, you will be able to view the gallery. Once you have registered and have an account and are logged in, this gallery will be listed in your "My PICTURES" link at the top of the page under our logo. Once you do this you should not have to do it again.