Relax: having a portrait made is actually fun! Here's the “Cliff's Notes” version:

STEP ONE:
Decide on what kind of portrait session you want.

Do you want it formal or relaxed and casual?

Traditional or modern?

Color or black and white?

Do you want it taken in our studio, outdoors at our studio, in your home, outdoors at your home or at some other location entirely? If you want it taken in the studio, be aware we only do studio family portraits at certain times of the year. The majority of our family portraits are taken in your own home or outdoors at our studio location, your home, or a location of your choice (such as the park).

Here's a list of our portrait session choices:

This is currently being updated--we apologize for any inconvenience! Please check back after May 1.

STEP TWO:
Have a portrait consultation session.

This is where we work together to plan your portrait, discussing clothing selection and display options. Ideally, this should be done at least one week prior to your portrait. This consultation can be done at your home or our studio, and is free. However, the creation fee must be paid prior to the Consultation Session. After the Consultation Session, the Creation Fee cannot be refunded for any reason.

STEP THREE:
Be photographed.

Relax, have fun, enjoy yourself ... our photographer is going to!

STEP FOUR:
View your portrait originals at the studio.

You will live with your portraits for a long time. Therefore, we do not use the old fashioned “proofs” method for selection: they are too small to make the best choice for your finished portraits; you simply cannot see the faces and expressions!

Instead, we use the method chosen by the majority of professional portrait photographers: projection of your portrait studies. By the use of projection, you will be able to see your images clearly and have no unexpected “surprises” after your finished portraits have been made.

At this time, you will place your portrait order.

STEP FIVE:
Wait for your portraits to be finished.

Your portraits are made by a team of 17 craftsmen who put each portrait through 33 separate steps of finishing in order to produce your finished portraits. Finished portraits take between six and eight weeks to produce (although Express Service is available to meet a gift date). They do them fast at Wally-Mart--we do them right.

STEP SIX:
Take delivery of your portraits at the studio.

This is really fun! You get to relive the experience all over again. If you purchase a Display Portrait, you can even have us come to your home to hang it!