F.A.Q.

After 22 years in business running a successful portrait studio, I am considered one of the last true “old-school” professionals and I happen to be proud of that. 🙂  I learned back in the days of film and large and medium format cameras and we had to know about lighting ratios, apertures, shutters and how to balance light for different subject matter.  That is simply not the case with all these amateurs and so-called photographers who seem to be multiplying like rabbits.   I am proud to say many of my clients actually appreciate when a true professional handles the technical stuff and can make sessions fun and creative then provide high quality true photographs and portrait albums…instead of dumping a cheap disc of images in their lap and handing the 2nd part on their own.  A real professional handles it all and delivers the best quality product and service available, without excuses.

That’s like a trained, experienced chef doing the 1st half of the preparation of the meal and then handing the customer all the materials and then letting them do the 2nd half.  The finished meal will never be the same as when the chef handles it from start to finish.  Yes, you do get what you pay for with this profession too.

FAQ for Portrait Work

Many new clients appreciate coming to the studio for a free consultation so we can sit down, relax and chat about what you are after, ideas, brainstorm so the actual session is more tailored to each client. That could mean bring some unique outfits or items to the session to match the age of the child or what they happen to be into right now. At a minimum, call the studio so we can chat about this…but usually best and more relaxing if we discuss these ideas in person.

The consultation can also happen at the client’s homes. Sometimes with the busy family schedules, its easier on the clients for me to come to them, which I am happy to do.

After 20 years in business, all of the many families I have served become long-term friends. I treat all clients as I would want to be treated and try to deliver creative, real life portraits, capturing truly meaningful images that tell a story and touch the viewer. Some studios just take pictures… I am referred to by many clients as a portrait artist.

This day and age, there are a ton of people calling themselves “photographers”…and there are huge differences in everything we do and provide. Never go by the lowest price you can find…you will get what you pay for. I only deal with my pro lab and deliver wet process true photographic portraits…not inkjet prints as most studios have gone to unfortunately.

The session may take place at the studio or on location–your home, park, beach, plantation, gardens, etc. Outside the Charleston area–Kiawah, Edisto, Seabrook, for example do have a small additional travel fee. If you choose a location, these usually take place an hour before sunset, depending on the sun, trees, etc.

The presentation appointment is usually scheduled about 2 weeks following your session. Both parents and any other family members (grandparents) who will wish to view and purchase images will need to be present at this appointment. This is the last day for the discount. You will first see a slideshow of the images set to music and projected in theatre fashion on an 8 foot screen. After the show, we can then go right into designing your order. If dad is not present and you want to wait on him to help, you will need to schedule another appointment.

While most clients end up doing a Portrait Collection or album, there is no minimum…Collections start at $315 (which includes a wall portrait and smaller prints too) and a la carte prints start at $20… so affordable for any budget. Keep in mind all my photographs come from my professional lab that still produces wet-process silver halide true photographs…not inkjets as everyone else has gone to unfortunately.

I work hard for all sessions, no matter the size of the order (ask all of my clients). You can download portrait prices here.

Portrait Collections have a sliding price scale built in to allow the largest value before or at your presentation appointment. If choosing a Collection, all decisions must be made within 2 weeks to keep the discounted pricing. A la carte prices are also discounted for early orders. Those orders placed after 30 days will have a minimum amount required since the session will already be archived by this point.

Great question !  You need to ask this of any studio today. Many studios are printing orders with inkjet printers so you need to ASK them. I will NEVER deliver any of our portraits that have not come from my pro lab. All portraits are printed with traditional wet process, silver halide true photographic paper that, just like the old days, go through an enlarger, then all of the chemicals to develop the image…. not inks from a inkjet printer sprayed on to the paper surface. Even the large local retail chains have all gone to inkjet printing in their 1-Hour labs so its just not the same and does not have the quality and longevity as the professional wet-process silver halide prints.

I will assist you with proper sizing, finish and coordinating with other decor in the home to display your favorite image in your home. I have the ability to project the exact sizes you may consider for your portrait so you can get a visual reference of how it will look in your home. Consider allowing me to provide an in-home consultation (no charge) so you see the best size for your own walls. My professional lab can print from wallet size to 40×60 and many custom sizes.

Absolutely. I even prefer you allow us to complete the whole look of the portrait since the frame can be a big part of visual impact. In addition, I am better equipped in dealing with framing photography, whereas framing stores generally know other types of artwork. To further show you our dedication to the ultimate customer service, I can even help hang the wall portraits in your own home for you.

See Frames

One of the biggest things you as the client can do to help make these images “cohesive” is coordinate the clothes for the group. Limit it to 2 solid colors (white & khaki) , (blue jeans & white shirts)… earth tones are always good for location sessions. Stay away from patterns and dotted, busy colors that can be distracting. We want to make the family look very united and like they belong together.

Yes, typically 25% off if pre-paid or up until the presentation appointment, which is the last day for the discount. Throughout the year I do run other specials for discounted session fees and other specials. To get an email from the studio E-News (where I notify clients of specials) be sure to add your email address to that notification HERE.

I always run specials at Christmas time too !

Absolutely !!  I love referrals and actually now paying you a commission check from the total of the referrals order.  This is cumulative as well so the totals can add up.  5-8% on a $1000 order is $50-$80 cash.

I have been designing and producing professional albums for weddings, portraits, families, children and high school seniors for many years and happy to design something that is tailored to you style and taste. The most popular is the Montage Artbook album with a leather cover (choice of color and texture) and thick base pages with true photographic prints mounted to them. These are not inkjet or dye-sub printing that many studios are selling these days. These are REAL silver halide, wet processed photographs (processed with developer, fixer, stabilizer, etc…real chemicals) not inkjet prints stapled in a binding like many are doing today. There is a huge difference in quality and longevity.

Download the Montage Artbook Cover options here

Yes, I do provide this service and good at it. In most cases, your old, damaged prints can be repaired and enhanced to near original quality or even better than the original. Once the image has been repaired, the new print can even be printed much larger than the original. Once I see the original, I can tell you how much editing would be required and how large you will be able to go with the new print. Click HERE for more information.

Business services information

FAQ for Business Services

Most clients these days are asking for the high resolution image on a disc with rights to use it…so we have a set media package price for that. One person in-studio sitting with online proofing then the selected image is fully retouched and high resolution image burned to disc with lifetime usage rights included for $125 (Regular $150). If there are more images purchased or more people to be photographed, the “each” price will decrease. Each high rez image is about 50 Mb and over 5000 pixels so very large.

Yes. There is a big difference in low quality photographs of your products and letting a professional do it right. Invest a little more up front with the design, high quality photographs and high-end offset printing of the brochures, catalogs, etc. and you will sell more product. Color copies do not compare to the quality you need and I can provide.

Products can be photographed at the studio and on location. Call the studio to discuss the project so we can decide the best way to handle your images.

The studio has all the high-end equipment necessary for designing, directing and producing your small business video needs. Click HERE to see more information.

Whether you have a website that needs a face lift or starting from scratch, I can be the one-stop-shop for you to get your company or service online. I offer several levels of service from minor involvement to completely handle it all to fit all budgets and needs. Allow me to sit down with you and discuss your ideas and goals for your website so I can help you create a colorful, interesting design that people will be raving about….and your company !

Event photography is needed when your company, business, group or family is having a convention, banquet or reunion and you want professional images of the happenings and special things going on for that. The final images are delivered in albums, loose prints and digital file format in low and/or high resolution. Call or email the studio with your details for a quote.

Paul has a degree in commercial graphics and can help with designing most any kind of promotional and advertising needs – company brochures, postcards, flyers, business cards, magazine ads, etc..

Signage Drawings
The studio can also produce “to scale” drawings and schematics of signage, landscaping, and some technical projects. Drawings can be created in several vector softwares and saved in EPS, DXF and other formats.

These are images I have taken over the years you may want to use for advertising, promotional or similar purposes.

These can be purchased in several different sizes from screensaver to high resolution image file for high end printing (photographs and offset printing). The image can be emailed to you the same or next day. If you need subject matter not seen here, please let me know. I may be able to capture some just for your project if my schedule allows it.

I will assist you with proper sizing, finish and coordinating with other decor in the home to display your favorite image in your home. I have the ability to project the exact sizes you may consider for your portrait so you can get a visual reference of how it will look in your home. Consider allowing me to provide an in-home consultation (no charge) so you see the best size for your own walls. My professional lab can print from wallet size to 40×60 and many custom sizes.

Absolutely. I even prefer you allow us to complete the whole look of the portrait since the frame can be a big part of visual impact. In addition, I am better equipped in dealing with framing photography, whereas framing stores generally know other types of artwork. To further show you our dedication to the ultimate customer service, I can even help hang the wall portraits in your own home for you.

See Frames

One of the biggest things you as the client can do to help make these images “cohesive” is coordinate the clothes for the group. Limit it to 2 solid colors (white & khaki) , (blue jeans & white shirts)… earth tones are always good for location sessions. Stay away from patterns and dotted, busy colors that can be distracting. We want to make the family look very united and like they belong together.

Yes, typically 25% off if pre-paid or up until the presentation appointment, which is the last day for the discount. Throughout the year I do run other specials for discounted session fees and other specials. To get an email from the studio E-News (where I notify clients of specials) be sure to add your email address to that notification HERE.

I always run specials at Christmas time too !

Absolutely !!  I love referrals and give you a gift and your friends a discount. Just be sure to tell them you sent them and they do a regular session. What they end up purchasing doesn’t affect your gift or their discount. The more referrals you send, the larger the gift.