TOUCH UPS & ALTERATIONS
Custom cropping is available in order to eliminate background, zoom-in on the subjects, or possibly even change the orientation of the photo (landscape versus portrait). You can also make a whole new picture by only choosing to keep a small section of the photo, thereby creating a new image from an existing photo. Sometimes this is a great way to capture a really great facial expression or other "moment" within the overall photo. Please be aware that there are some limitations as to how a photograph can be cropped based on the ratio of the print size you are requesting. Cropping is provided free of charge.
B&W Conversion. Any color photo can be converted to black & white. B&W conversion costs $2 per image, regardless of how many different sizes you choose from that image. Sepia Conversion. Any color photo can be converted to a sepia tone, which gives the photo an "old-fashioned" or "antique" look. I normally convert it to a tone that looks like a brownish copper but you can request it lighter. Sepia conversion costs $3 per image, regardless of how many sizes you order from that image. Color Tinting. This is my own unique conversion which I think also gives a photo an old fashioned feel to it. Essentially, it is a hybrid between a color photo and a black & white photo. By reducing the color saturation to a point where it leaves just a hint of color, you can sometimes get a more pleasing result than by removing the color entirely. This process costs $4 per image. If interested, please ask to see a sample. Fine Art Textures. Working with textures is an artistic trend in digital photography that turns an ordinary photograph into a work of art. To create this effect, we tend to go heavy on texture and color at the expense of detail. Sometimes this effect works to turn your focus away from a distracting element in the photograph. If this intrigues you, please ask for more details. Cost is $10. Samples will be coming to website soon. Color Spotting. This is a digital technique where a portion of the photo can be kept in color and the rest converted to B&W. For example, a photo of a bride can be converted from color to B&W but her flowers can be kept in color or a Halloween picture can have the pumpkins stay orange and everything else in B&W. There are endless possibilities! This is a custom service and is priced by the job.
With the exception of the Canvas Wraps, any wall portraits should be properly matted and framed. I provide custom framing services and have over 100 frame mouldings and 50 double mats to choose from. Matting serves a purpose other than enhancing the looks of the photo. It provides spacing between the photograph and the glass so that any moisture or humidity can exist without causing damage to your picture.
If it is difficult to choose your frame choice from a small proof, we can wait until the wall portrait is available to schedule a framing session. This will serve us better in choosing the proper frame and mat colors that will not only enhance your photograph but coordinate with your home décor. Your framed portrait comes completely assembled with glass, mat, backing board and hanging hardware.
To get a more detailed description about the styles of frames and mats to choose from, please click here. For pricing, please click here. Too see samples of frame mouldings, click here. To see samples of mat choices, click here.
I also offer ways to display mutiple images in a framed collage. To see different layouts for muti-opening collage frames, click here. You may also utilize my matting and framing services for photographs, prints or artwork you already own. In addition, I will cut any custom mats needed for pictures or collages.
Options for digital creations are below, but that is only the beginning. If you can think it up, I can create it. If it involves more than photos and scanned images, I have a graphic artist available for consultation.
Recreate the look of a single mat or double mat with digital openings and borders. Display a photograph in an oval or other shape with soft or hard edging.
Have your images printed with creative edging. Black or white textured lines or rippled, torn or jagged edges. Utilize one of my masks, vignettes or effects to give your photo a little extra kick.
Provide scrapbook items to be scanned and blended with photographs. Newspaper clippings, tickets, awards, etc. can be combined for a unique display.
Besides the ever popular holiday cards, you can create a card for any occasion. Other holidays, birthdays, communions, birth announcements, etc, etc. Also consider sending out photo thank you's or invitations.
I have many different ways you can display your photograph in order to share it with friends and family during the Holiday Season. Please click on the holiday cards link for detailed information, or click here.
WALL PORTRAITS
If you are interested in prints above 8X10, you have a few options. You can always have a custom print size made, but the standard sizes are 11X14, 16X20 and 20X24. I also offer other sizes such as 10X13, 10X20 and 12X18. 10X13's are a smaller alternative to 11X14 but the other two sizes I generally use for composites. Composites are also great on other panoramic sizes such as 10X30, 11X28, 12X24, 13X20, and 14X22. Larger wall prints are available up to 30X45, but I would need to analyze the image prior to recommending a photo that large. You should also be aware that not all photos fit into standard size enlargements. Some shots are taken tighter than others and may have restrictions as to what sizes would work best since some of the image is lost when blown up. Sizes that will show everything as it was shot are: 4X6, 8X12, 12X18, 16X24, 20X30, 24X36 and 30X45.
Please be aware that all wall and canvas portraits will have an artistic signature and copyright year imprinted in the bottom lower corner. It will be scaled down to size depending on what size you order and will be as soft and discreet as possible yet obvious enough so that it is legible. I also place it so that it will continue to show even when the photograph gets framed. It will read © 2008 Sue Gerard.
Each portrait 10X13 and larger comes mounted. The photograph is adhered to a cardboard backing which protects it from dents, dings, ripples, etc. It will also help deter the photo from curling or bubbling up even when framed. I typically mount it on 2mm styrene or matboard. Overall it is a great safeguard for your portrait. There are other mounting options (for an additional price) such as foamboard, masonite and a popular finished look called standout which is 3/4" thick, very lightweight and has hanging holes on the backside. See beveled mounts under the section entitled Alternative Presentations as well. While all wall portraits have mounting included in the price of the print, it is your option whether you want your 8X10's to be mounted at $5 each for matboard or $7 for styrene. To see what a standout mount looks like, click here.
Professional finishes offer increased durability and protection from UV fading. A matte finish reduces the reflective quality of your print and can soften it up a bit. The most common is a lustre coating, which is water based and simply adds a layer of protection while still giving it a surface texture similar to a traditional matte finished professional print.
This is an extremely popular way to display multiple photographs in one image. It is created in photoshop so all images are digitally arranged and printed on one surface. The photos can be a blended collage where images have soft feathered edging and overlay creatively with each other. The photos can have more defined openings similar to a collage mat, with hard or soft edging, with or without borders. "Dream" composites display images that have a soft feathered edge in a contoured shape around the subject. Your backgrounds can be white, black or any color that compliments the photos being displayed. Text is optional as well. The possibilities and creativity are endless. You can see many samples in my photo gallery.
Wall portraits can be ordered as a traditional canvas print. Canvas material is thick and has a textured weave to it. This gives the portrait more of an artistic look, similar to an oil painting. It is made using an actual photograph where the emulsion is peeled and bonded to a piece of canvas fabric using heat and pressure. The resulting material is most commonly stretched over and stapled onto a 1.5”deep wooden frame (called a stretcher), but can be adhered to some of the mounting substrates mentioned above (see the float wrap option below). Unlike a photograph, if you choose to frame your canvas print, glass is not necessary as a protection due to the textured surface of the print so glare is not an issue. Canvas stretchers may be ordered in three ways:
A stretcher has the photo end at the overlap edge and the sides are white with staples exposed. This is considered an unfinished look and I recommend this should be framed.
A stretcher has the photo extended to wrap around the sides of the wooden frame and the staples are hidden on the back. Framing paper covers the back of the gallery wrap, bumpers are applied to the bottom corners, and metal sawtooth hangers on the top corners. This style is ready for hanging or to be placed on a display shelf or easel. While this is more expensive than a photograph, it ends up costing less because you don’t have the framing expense. To see what a gallery wrap canvas looks like, click here.
A is a new product in 2009. The canvas is wrapped around masonite, a 1/8 inch rigid hardboard. To give it a more elegant raised look and feel, there is padding added between the print and the masonite. The float part comes from the ¾ inch gatorboard block backing that allows the wrap to extend out from the wall. The back is complete with black paper backing and the block contains holes for hanging. If you prefer to display the float mount on an easel, it can be ordered without the gatorboard block. To see what a thin wrap canvas looks like, click here.
These are wonderful ways to share and preserve the memories and cherished images we create during your photo session.
This is a nice way to keep all your pictures from our shoot together in one place. The pages are comprised of your photographs on regular photo paper. I do suggest that you get a texture to them for increased durability. They can have an optional black or white border around the picture. The book can be ordered in 5 sizes from 3 1/2X 5 to 5 X 7. They are bound with a black spiral binding that can go on the short or long side. Books smaller than 5X7 have a clear or frosted flap cover and the 5X7 size has an optional leather cover. Minimum 26 images, max 90.
This is a press printed product that allows you to display up to 10 images in an accordion style mini folio. Sizes are wallet or 3X3 square. The cover is like that of a photo book and comes in leather, fabric or custom photo. There are various paper options and the panels can hold one photo each or are customizable for spreads, text, etc. These must be ordered in sets of 3 identical books. A great way to have one for yourself and give to each set of grandparents!
This for sure is one of my favorite products to offer and VERY popular! This is a perfect way to show off your family photos. Available sizes are 5X5, 5X7, 8X8, 8½ X 11, 10X10, 8X12, and 12X12. Although small, you can take the 5X5 and 5X7 size books with you everywhere you go, or have the larger coffee table sizes out at home for guests to enjoy, or bring with you to show off!
They are available with 3 paper options, 2 binding options and various cover materials, including fabrics, leathers, and a custom photo cover. Various border and full bleed options are offered for the inside pages.
Books start at 10 pages (20 sides) but can accommodate up to 225 pages! Make the effort to commemorate your treasured professional images in a contemporary fashion.
This is a new for 2010. The difference from the above photo book to this photo album is that you go from one image per page to a digital layout of one or multiple images, including a panoramic shot that crosses over the middle binding. These albums are flush mount with thick lay-flat pages and no middle gutter. For now I have a few template pages to choose from for your page layout, or we can put the design into the hands of the design staff at my lab. My templates are for the 10X10 books, but the design service can do it for any size from 6X6 to 12X12. There are various material covers to choose from, including floral, mineral, suede, fabrics and leathers. A dust jacket using your image(s) is also an option. The paper is heavyweight art paper adhered to heavy cardstock for rigidity and durability. These are available in fixed lengths only of 20, 40 or 60 sides and in sizes 6X6, 6X12, 8X8, and 12X12. Because I do not sell CD’s of my images, DVD’s are the only way you can view and preserve your photo memories from our shoot in a medium other than print. These professional images of your choice are showcased as a slideshow set to music (which you can pick). You can play it on your computer or watch it on your TV via your DVD player. An upscale custom photo cover option is an add-on to the standard jewel case.
While this option is mainly to present the images we created at your photo shoot with Sue's Point of View, you may also add some of your own images to them. Also... if you would like to have me create a DVD slideshow of another event you have images for, or even a "year in review" of your own family memories, we can do that too.
Display your portraits on tiles for a unique decorating option. I offer two different tile surfaces which portray the images quite differently. The Tuscany tiles come in two square sizes (4X4 or 6X6) and give the appearance of old-world stones which have more muted tones and harbor an antique feel. The stone tile has imperfections and veins in the surface that will show in your image so if you don't like that look I offer a ceramic tile. This tile has more of a perfect reproduction of your portrait with soft smooth edges. These come in 4 sizes from 4X4 to 8X10. Both options are quite affordable, but you can also go for a larger tile mosaic which incorporates 6, 9 or 12 tiles in a rectangular or square format. Those sizes run from 12X18 to 24X30.
These photo displays are great for shelves, bookcases, end tables, armoires and fireplace mantles. The panels have the photographs printed on them with great color reproduction and are scratch and UV resistant. The durability far surpasses a regular photograph since they are mounted on a 1/4" thick hardboard material. The panels are joined together with hinges and come in various sizes and styles. I have a 2 or 4-panel arched top, a vertical 3X5 with horizontal 5X7, or 2 5x7's horizontal or vertical.
This type of mount adds elegance and sophistication to any photograph. Your portrait gets mounted on a heavy weight board that is substantial enough to stand on its own. These are great for displaying on an easel or wall shelf. The mount board is five plies thick and is beveled at a 40 degree angle to increase the effect of the edging and therefore enhance the appearance of your presentation. The edging comes in metallic gold, metallic silver or black lacquer. Available in standard sizes ranging from 4X5 to 20X24.
Items listed with description are the most popular, but I can offer many types of gifts, many of which can be put to practical use around your house or in everyday living.
Enjoy your photos wherever you go! Key chains can display a photo on either side of this acrylic casing.
This is a great accessory to have with a favorite image to enjoy and show off wherever you and your wallet go!
The wallet has a soft leather appearance with a zippered compartment inside. It has 6 credit card slots and two separate inside compartments. It measures approximately 7.5" wide X 4.5" high. Ask about purses too!
Holiday ornaments are a great gift for grandparents, aunts, uncles and godparents.... or just get one for yourself! It's a great way to have a photo commemorate the year and have that memory live on each holiday season displayed on your Christmas tree. These personalized ornaments are made of fiberglass-reinforced plastic. The same photo is displayed on both sides and it comes in 3 shapes: tree, bell or circle. You can also have a photo "cut-out" whose shape conforms to that of the shape of the photo and comes in 2 sizes: 2X3 or 5X7. The cut out ornaments are a holiday favorite!
Other gifts available include pencil holders, bookends, napkin holders, lazy susan with photo tiles, iron trivet, glass cutting board, coasters, mugs, mouse pads, huggies, purses in various sizes, tote bags, necklace, blankets, aprons, puzzles, clipboards and various sports plaques.
Pronounced "jhee-clay". Giclée is a sophisticated printing method. It merges the use of professional grade large format printers with archival pigment inks, acid free watercolor papers and canvas. The result provides a brilliance of color that would be out of range with other technologies. Most papers used are made from 100% cotton rag and are long lasting, thick and acid-free. Your chosen photograph will be transformed into a beautiful work of art rendered with the highest image quality and great longevity.
Ask any artist and they'll tell you that all the tubes of paint in the world cannot replace the simple pencil when it comes to artistic potential. I work with a local artist that will do a pencil sketch, charcoal sketch or ink drawings. She will also do paintings in watercolors, acrylics or oil.
I also work with a company that does digital paintings that are true replications of the actual photograph since they work directly on top of the digital image. If you don't want to risk losing critical detail that a photograph provides, this is a great option. There is no risk of interpretation that you may get with an artist's rendition.
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