FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

How do I plan my portrait? 
Beautiful portraits don’t just happen, they are planned with care.

Think about your lifestyle, the places where you and your family are relaxed and happy, the things you love to do, the interests you share. Being photographed in your favorite environment, helps tell your story… perhaps it’s at your yard, the beach, by the river, with your boat, or special pets or vehicles, or at your vacation home. Let’s talk about your family. We will listen and help you plan the mood and style you desire.

With coordinated clothing and location, look forward to an enjoyable experience, and let the magic begin with Liz coaxing expressions, arranging a pleasing composition and controlling lighting.

What is the best type of clothing for a classic, timeless family portrait?
Simple, plain garments are the best choice so attention will go directly to the face. No busy patterns or loud colors.  Try to select two colors, not more than three, for everyone in your family to wear.  Patterns, if used, should be very subtle.  Try to avoid everyone wearing the exact same style and color of shirt, for the effect might be that you are all on the same sports team!  If a beach portrait, whites, pastels, tans are nice.  If at a lush landscaped site, darker colors would be a good choice for slacks and with medium toned colors for tops. 

Adults should not wear shorts or short skirts or anything too tight. Wear long sleeves if possible which helps attention go to the face, and slacks or a skirt with some ease, and which would cover the knees when seated.  Avoid turtlenecks.

Something else to consider…
Think about the room where you will want to display your portrait.  Used as a decorative focal point there, your portrait will be a wonderful way to honor your loved ones and be a most appropriate expression of your personal lifestyle.  Will the clothing you are selecting to wear, blend with the style and colors of that room?

Eyeglasses?
For outdoor portraits, do not wear the automatically darkening lenses; we cannot lighten the lens to a natural effect.

If a head and shoulders portrait is required, you will want to look your best and avoid glare and refraction. The solution is to have an empty pair of frames that match your own.  Most optometrists are willing to lend you a frame on loan with a deposit that is totally refundable.

For something fun…
What about hats?  For a unique close-up photo, everyone in your family wearing a favorite hat or cap could be a great look for one image.  Feel free to express yourself!

Portraits of children:
Yes, personalize your portrait. What about your child’s heirloom rocking chair, doll, small stuffed animal, or favorite blanket, etc. Perhaps some of Mom’s jewelry or Dad’s caps or ties could be included.  Caps, bonnets and hair wreaths are a nice touch.

Parent and child portraits: 
Please consider either Mom or Dad or both in at least one or more poses with your child.  These portraits may be one of your greatest treasures. In years to come, your child will never believe how young you were!  Any concerns such as weight, wrinkles, blemishes, etc. are softly corrected by camera angles, negative retouching and soft filters.  Long sleeves on adults are an absolute must.   Bring something to coordinate with your child’s clothing.

What size portraits do you make and how are they finished?
Wall portraits are made in many sizes, from miniature accent size 14 x 11 inches to 40 x 30 appropriate for over the sofa or mantel size.  Desk and gift portraits are 8 x 10 and 5x7.  Miniatures are 4x5.  Wallets size images are also available.  Square and custom sizes are available also.

The most beautiful finish for wall portraits is canvas.  The actual portrait is embedded in the finest artist’s canvas and placed on a stretcher frame.  This creates a very subtle texture, and the overall appearance is one of museum quality.

Do you offer hand-colored black and white portraits? 
Yes, various areas of the portrait are selectively toned for a lovely effect.  Of course, archival silver, black and white portraits are available without hand coloring.

Tell me about your portrait paintings.
These are exquisite works of art.  Starting with the image from the camera, brush strokes and colors are added by hand to create magnificent portraits.  They can be as soft and subtle as a watercolor painting, or more exuberant with bold textures and patterns Whether on watercolor paper or canvas, the finished effect is truly lovely and would be an incredible, personal artwork as a focal point for your home.  View the samples on the What’s New page.

What do you suggest if there are many portraits I love?
You might want to select 10 or more images for an album, or image box for coffee table display.  Perhaps a grouping of 3 or more favorite portraits together, all framed separately would be an option, or several in one frame. 

How long does it take to have a portrait done?
The actual portrait session usually lasts from one to two hours.  Creating the finished portraits require several steps of retouching and printing and framing.  Usually the portraits are ready about four to six weeks after your selections have been made.

How do you charge for your portraits?
Desk size portraits range from $65 to $150.  Accent size wall size portraits start at $350.  Retouching necessary to refine and enhance details of each and every image is included in the price of the portraits.

Do you charge a sitting fee?
Yes, the studio fee is $100.  Nearby location is $150.  Long distance travel is additional and would be quoted. Indoor lighting set up is $l00 additional.  More extensive photo sessions by quotation.

What about portraits for high school seniors?
Yes, we have special values.  Please call so we may discuss specifics.

What about frames?
We offer a distinctive and value oriented selection to compliment your wall portrait.

You will be confident your frame choice will enhance the portrait and your surroundings and be pleased with the convenience that upon receiving your portrait, it will be ready to hang and start enjoying.

What about payment?
The studio or location fee is payable in advance to hold your appointment time. When you make your portrait selections, approximately fifty percent is required. The final payment is due when the order is complete. We accept Visa and Master Card, personal check or cash. 

Do you offer note and holiday cards?
Yes.  We have several designs available.

What about scheduling a photography session?
If you have a specific date in mind, it’s best to call right away.  It’s also appropriate to schedule a date as soon as possible in the busy season, which starts in June in Massachusetts.

Beach photographs will be scheduled one to two hours before sunset for the lovely mellow lighting and less wind.

Most folks like to schedule summer photographs from Monday through Thursday to save weekends for their favorite leisure activities. Try to have the photography session be the only event of the day, so everyone will be relaxed and have no time constraints.

When will I see the photographs? 
Your viewing and purchasing appointment at the studio will be scheduled at a mutually convenient time, usually within a week after the portraits were taken. All those involved in making decisions need to be present.  At least an hour will be devoted to making these choices, possibly up to two hours. 

Although we have a children’s play area, we find parents are able to devote full attention to selecting the final portraits when their children are happily cared for elsewhere.

By seeing actual poses projected to various sizes, your choices will be made with confidence, unhindered by any third party sales person or pressureful tactics.

Is there anything else I should know?
Yes, we have found that any other cameras, still or videos, used at the session by family or friends serve as a distraction and destroy the mood and pace.  Therefore, we very much appreciate your informing everyone that cameras are restricted during the portrait session.

Guarantees…
Personal service, attention to detail and experience through the years in creating portraits of the finest caliber, will result in an heirloom quality portrait you will be proud to own. Your satisfaction is one hundred per cent guaranteed.

About Liz…her creative artistry and passion for photography stem from childhood interests and are anchored by a college fine arts degree and studies with the most highly respected photographic portrait artists throughout the country. 

A practicing photographer for over twenty-five years, she is a Certified Professional Photographer, recognized by Professional Photographers of America.  Her images are included in their prestigious Loan Collection and within their published books.

 “Up with Aging, the art of growing older with zest” is a newly released book consisting of wit and wisdom for the golden years, featuring her whimsical hand colored portraits of seniors and quotes from gerontology experts.  Focus on Photos is an illustrated lecture she presents about the history and art of photography Married, mother of two and grandmother of three, who are among her most favorite photo subjects.  Liz is active in community affairs, plays tennis, golf and loves dark chocolate but tries to avoid it for obvious reasons!

Should I phone or E-Mail?
It’s best to call for quickest response:  508 636-7500.  We look forward to hearing from you, learning about your family, and creating some wonderful portraits for you!   Sincerely, Liz