MindWorks Photography LLC

These are frequently asked questions about MindWorks Photography, our photos and our products.

Ordering

Can I change my order once it has been placed?
To best serve you and accurately provide the prints you ordered the way you ordered them, we have automated our processes. Changes cause the system to be unreliable, so "for the good of the order" we don't allow changes. Please be sure that your order is correct - poses, print sizes and quantities, retouching, color, finish and cropping are all to your satisfaction and liking - before you place your order. This allows us to serve you as efficiently as possible, thus keeping your cost and wait time to a minimum.
Cropping
"In the printing, graphic design and photography industries, cropping refers to removing unwanted areas from a photographic or illustrated image. One of the most basic photo manipulation processes, it is performed in order to remove an unwanted subject or irrelevant detail from a photo, change its aspect ratio, or to improve the overall composition"... From Wikipedia

Since our cameras capture images that are essentially 2x3 all images 5x7 and larger will be cropped to achieve the aspect ratio of the print size ordered. New in 2009 is the ability for you to designate your own crop during the order process. Here's how:
1. Select the image you want.
2. Select the size and click "Select Options and Add to Cart"
3. On the Customization page check the box in the Cropping section.
4. Click Add to Cart.
5. Before you get to the cart you'll see the cropping page.
6. Use the information on the page to guide you in using the tool.
7. Pay attention to the Crop quality indicator to be sure that your crop will support an excellent quality print.
8. When the crop is the way you like it, click crop and your image will be added to the cart with precise information on your crop.
I don't recommend using this tool for big group photos (extended families with 10 or more in the photo) as it is sometimes necessary to add a little background so that everyone is preserved in the final print.
Do you provide consultations to help me select my portraits?
Short version - yes and no. The long version has a couple of complicating factors.

First, our pricing is based on you selecting and ordering on your own. We don't employ expensive (and often annoying) sales people. That said, we try to make time available to teach you how to place an order, help decide which portrait is "better" and answer other questions you may have.

Second, scheduling can be a nightmare. Depending on our shooting schedule and our order fulfillment workload we may be looking at a several week delay before we are available at a time that works for you. We hate to keep you waiting!

There are always exceptions. For example, we work closely with couples after their wedding to get their album done perfectly and to their specifications. We also consult with families before their session to coordinate clothing selections.

Need something? Ask us. We have answers and advice, and can direct you to additional information.
Favorites makes collecting your images easy!
Once you identify a images that you like, wouldn't it be convenient to have them all in one place - and only the ones you selected? That's possible and easy. We call it Favorites. Just Register for an account (we don't share your information - what little we require - with anyone so it's safe)...

Complete this form. Be sure to subscribe to our mailing list. We offer specials and promotions that will save you money or allow you to get more images or bigger images. Our offers are all made via email so this is the only way to know.

... And then use the Add to Favorites button that is above each photo on our site.

Then you can go to your favorites - by clicking My Favorites - any time and see all the pictures that you added. You can share your credentials (email address used to create your account and your password) with friends and family who can then see all your favorite photos.

When you're "done" with a favorite (e.g. you find a photo you like better) just remove it. It will still be on our site in its original album - just not in your favorites.
How do I order?
You may order online, or by calling 262.679.7900. Each is explained below.
On Line
1. Select a photo to purchase.
2. Select the size to be printed.
3. Enter the quantity.
4. Click the Select Options & Add to Cart button.
5. Select your finish and any other customization then click Add to Cart.
6. Repeat 1-5 until all photos in all sizes desired have been ordered.
7. Click the View Cart button.
8. Review your cart, updating as needed.
9. Select your delivery preference (Pick-up has no cost).
10. Enter a Promotion Code/Photo Pass if you have one.
11. Complete the Billing and Shipping Information.
12. Add comments as needed to help us prepare your order the way you want it.
13. Click on the Pay Online Button.
14. Review your order and click the Place Order button.
15. After a brief pause you will see the completed transaction.
Note - if you don't get an order number or an email confirmation, your order has NOT been placed. If you are unsure, please contact us for assistance.

Pay by Phone
1. Follow steps 1-12 above (same as On Line)
2. Click on the Pay by Phone button
3. An email will be sent to us with the order information, and a copy will be sent to you
4. When your order is next in the queue for printing, we'll contact you at the number you provide in the Billing Information section
5. We'll finalize your order via the phone conversation
Order by Phone
1. Call 262.679.7900.
2. Ask for a Portrait Design Consultant.
3. If we're available, we'll help you with your order over the phone.
4. If we're not available, leave a message on option 3 including your name, contact number and that the call is regarding photos.
5. We'll call back as soon as possible.
What do you charge for shipping?
Shipping charges are based on where the item is printed and how you choose to receive it. Most items are printed by us in our facility, but we sometimes utilize an external lab for special items. Items externally printed are charged the same shipping as the lab charges us.
If you elect to have your items shipped, fees start at $3.94 and are based on actual shipping costs for your order. If your order includes items from both our facility and the external lab, your shipment may arrive in 2 packages.
What is a Photo Pass
It is very similar to a gift card. A Photo Pass is a code that has a dollar amount associated with it. Most sessions that require payment typically include a Photo Pass. At the end of the check-out process, before you decide whether to pay online or by phone, you will have the opportunity to enter your Photo Pass. The associated amount will then be deducted from your order and the order total will be recalculated. You can check the balance of your Photo Pass here.

There are two types: Standard and Premium.

Standard Photo Passes may be used to purchase prints only. Purses, jewelry, books, framed squares and extreme rectangles line (coming June 2009), photo videos, framing, additional sessions and rush fees may not be put on your Standard Photo Pass. These may be purchased as an additional transaction.

Premium Photo Passes may be used to purchase any product - prints, purses, jewelry, books, framed squares and extreme rectangles line (coming June 2009), framing and photo videos. (Additional sessions and rush fees are always extra.)

We also offer Gift Photo Passes for gift giving. Just go to our Gift Card page, select your amount and we'll do the rest. The gift card Photo Pass may be used as part/all of a session fee or to purchase photos already on our site. Either way, the recipient chooses the images that are picture perfect in their eyes.
What's your return policy?
MindWorks Photography's return policy is based on a simple premise: we want you to be happy with your purchase. Please check your order carefully within 7 days of receipt. If you discover quality issues, contact us immediately at 262.679.7900 to advise us of your concern and inform us that you are following the procedure outlined below:
1. Print your receipt. (If you need a copy please ask and we'll email it to you.)
2. For each print with which you are dissatisfied write what is wrong on it's order line.
3. Return only the prints with which you are dissatisfied and the notated receipt (drop-off or USPS mail).
4. We will assess your concerns for workmanship and material defects and make necessary replacements.
Because we create a custom product for you at your request our decision regarding replacement is final.
When will my order be ready?
Approximately 4 weeks is the short answer. Our goal is to get your prints to you as fast as we can. Sometimes that means 2 weeks or less. Other times, when order volume is high and/or our shooting schedule is packed, it can take 4 weeks - even more. Every receipt includes the date 20 business days (excludes weekends and holidays) from when you ordered. That date is our goal and we mostly meet it, sometimes exceed and unfortunately, sometimes take longer.

If you're in a hurry we do offer a rush service that gets your items ready for pick-up or shipping in 5 business days or less. It costs 25% of your order or $10 - which ever is greater. ("Why does it cost that much?" you're wondering. It's because after serving all the clients whose orders are in queue for that day we stay hours later to complete the rush orders. Overtime comes at a premium.)

If you're picking up we call you when your order is ready. If you're having your order shipped and it's been 5 weeks for a standard order or 2 weeks for a rush order, please email us for status at info@MindWorksPhotography.com.

Prices-Programs

Products

How can I get a custom collage and what will it cost?
The collages that I make as samples are my choice of photos and color scheme. I create them 8x10" and they can be resized. The samples are available for sale at the standard cost of the print size being ordered. They may be customized only at the fee structure outlined below.

Custom collages are also available. To create one, select the photos you want included (5 to 9 for an 8x10", 7 to 13 for an 11x14" and 11 to 17 for a 16x20 - less is fine too). Start a new order and include only the photos for the collage. Order one of the photos as the finished size of the collage. Add the others to the order as 4x6s. In the comments for the order (part of the check-out process) let me know that it is a collage and provide any special instructions you may have (like an inscription, or which photos to emphasize if any). Use the Pay-By-Phone option so that you don't get charged the amount of the order as your total will be less. If you have a Photo Pass, do not use it!

I will contact you to arrange for payment and to be sure that we're on the same page. The cost will be $15 plus the cost of the finished size of the collage plus $3.50 for each photo (minus one that's included with the cost of the collage base size). So for example... If you are creating an 11x14 with 7 photos the collage will cost $15 plus $99 (price at the time of this entry) plus 6 * $3.50 ($21) for a total before tax of $135. (Cost for seven 4x6 is $175 so this option both saves money and gives you a way to tell your story all on one board!)

Why the somewhat complicated formula and method and why not have some templates so that the viewer can make their own collage? Because collaging is art and art needs to find it's own theme and flow. No template set could ever accomplish that. So I keep the possibilities all available. Once your collage is created I typically post it for your approval before printing.

Collages are a great way to keep and display multiple images from a session. Give it a try!
Photo Cards
Our single sided 4x8 photo cards feature your selected photo, one of two design choices, vertical and horizontal layouts, one of two paper finishes and your own personal message. Cards are available in boxes of 25, and include envelopes. The new 2009 designs are shown below:

Classic Velvet

Night Sky

Photo Purses - What do they cost?

Product Lines
We have 2 product lines: Standard and Premium

Standard Products
This includes prints which may be printed on photographic paper or on canvas. The prints may be of a single pose or may contain multiple poses - a collage. Custom collages - where you pick the images and a general style - are also included in our Standard Line.

Premium Products
This line includes Books/Albums, Photo Purses, Photo Jewelry, Photo Video, Framing, Announcements/Invitations, Proof Books, and Senior Cards.
Tell me about Canvas and Gallery Wraps
We do print onto canvas for an artistic, painted effect that is as durable as it is beautiful! And canvas prints don't need glass - some (our Gallery Wraps) don't even need frames.

Canvas comes in 4 standard sizes: 8x10, 11x14, 16x20 and 20x30. (We do custom sizes by request - just ask us!) Each begins with printing and curing after which we treat the canvas with a sealer that enhances the colors and protects from scratching. Each size can be delivered one of 3 ways:
- Rolled - after the sealer has cured for at least 24 hours the canvas is ready to be rolled and delivered. Select this option if you plan to have it professionally stretched and framed.
- Stretched - After the sealer has cured the canvas is stretched and stapled onto stretcher bars (wooden bars that form a frame). It is then ready for a frame. We carry a line of beautiful frames to suit every decor and budget.
- Gallery Wrap - Like stretched the canvas is pulled tight over a wooden frame. In this case the frame is 1.25" to 1.5" (depth depends on the size of the finished piece) deep and the print is made larger to extend beyond the front dimensions of the finished piece. This extended area of the print is glued to the sides of the special gallery wrap stretcher bars. The effect is multi dimensional and has the added benefit of not needing a frame!
Canvas prints are priced by their size and finishing treatment. Please see our price table in the "What will my prints cost?" FAQ.
To order a canvas print, select your pose then the size you want from the product list below the picture. In the options you'll find Canvas with it's associated upgrade prices.
What paper finishes are available?
Each product is available in specific finishes. Select the product and put it into your cart to see the list of finishes available. Here is a description of the finishes:
- Luster - sometimes called satin, it is a semi-shiny finish that resists finger printing while offering a light sheen. It's the default finish for many products because of its beautiful appearance and durability. This is our default finish.
- Linen - Our answer to matte. Linen is subtly textured like fine linen cloth and has no shine at all.
- Canvas - Transforms your photo into what looks like an oil painting.
- Metallic - Shiny metallic finish that appears to have depth.
- Pearl - Pearlescent shimmer and great depth and color!
Who prints my photos?
We use a photo processing lab. They use the best quality papers. The printing is performed using state of the art professional printers. With proper care, your photos should last more than 80 years (200+ years if stored in the dark, as in a closed album). Proper care consists of:
• Avoid exposure to direct sunlight
• If framed, display under glass or Plexiglas glazing. UV resistant glazing will further enhance the durability of the inks and is an especially good investment if your photo will be displayed in a sunny room or if a light is shining directly on it.
• Keep dry

Services

Do you participate in fund raising for organizations?
Yes. Contact us to learn how your organization can earn more funds at any event by having photography available.

Do you photograph weddings?

Explain 'retouching' and its cost
Retouching is the improvement of your image by altering it in some manner other than cropping, color correction, illumination adjustments, etc.. The most common retouching, and still included in the price of the print, is facial retouching. This includes blemish removal and general softening and smoothing of the skin. The time required to perform this step in the process of going from digital image to print varies from 10 minutes to 30 minutes per face, depending on the alterations needed. The goal is to make you look your best!

We are often asked to "just Photoshop in a different head" or "swap the background". These certainly are skills in our collection, skills that we practice often. We devote lots of time sharpening our skills, we attend educational classes to learn the latest techniques and we spend considerable money on the latest tools. A request to "just Photoshop" or "just airbrush" something is easy to say, but producing realistic undetectable results is a whole different matter. Depending on the request (from removal of braces to lessening of suntan-lines, background replacement to head replacement, or hair root coloring to cleaning up dirty bare feet, etc.) it may require 30 minutes to several hours. And for the first few years of our business, we included all these services for no additional cost.

The same yearly review that we do to be sure that our prices are keeping up with what we're paying for our supplies and services showed us something new at the end of 2008. When the number of "free retouching beyond facial" hours was calculated we were amazed by how big it is! So, like most of the professionals in our business we must charge for our time. This is where the similarity to our competition ends. While most big-box photography locations do no retouching, we will still make all of the retouches you may want. You will now have a menu of possibilities and will know up front what the fees will be. You can also choose not to have these services performed. (Remember that facial retouching is still included free ... but if you love your weathered look you can choose to have absolutely no facial retouching.) We've chosen this path to provide the best of both worlds - cost and retouching possibilities - with you in control of the balance point that fits you.

Another feature of our retouching system is that you pay only once per pose/image. For example, you select a family portrait of your extended family however one of the six toddlers isn't looking happy, so you request a "head swap" of that child with a photo where they're smiling. Once that image is altered you may order it in as many sizes as you need - paying only once for the retouch. If in the future you need another print of that same image, you still don't have to pay again - just tell us (in the comments) that you want us to use the same retouch already done.

If you're unsure what you may need, please contact us at 262.679.7900 and we'll be happy to consult at no cost.
Will you come to my event?
Absolutely! Whether you're hosting a corporate party or want your child's sporting event covered, We'll be happy to be there capturing the memories. Contact us to schedule!

Sessions

How can I schedule a session?
Contact the studio and a Portrait Design Consultant will discuss with you the details of your session (portrait, event, location, etc.).
- Call us at 262.679.7900
- Send us an e-mail
We'll work with you to pick a date and place, consult on wardrobe, or arrange to cover the event in which you're interested.
How quickly will I see my photos?
Generally, the pictures will be published to this Internet site (your album or albums may be password protected at your request) within 4-6 days, sometimes faster. Speed is determined by many factors including the number of photos taken, the number of sessions in a close time frame, and the amount of computer processing that needs to be done. For many, viewing via the Internet is a cost effective substitute for printed proofs. After reviewing the photos, you place your order (via the Internet), and then it takes up to 4 weeks for printing and packaging. When possible we deliver sooner.
What are your hours?
By appointment! That's the short answer...

We're open somewhere between always and never. I know that's a bit sassy, yet it does set expectations in the right direction. Although I get lots of help from my husband and partner, Roger, I work the day-to-day operation of the business alone. So when I'm with a client - on location or in the studio - I'm not available for pick-ups or walk-in inquiries. We work whenever our clients need us - 9:30 AM on a Sunday morning, 5:00 PM on Christmas Eve, etc. That said, our home life needs attention and we provide it around our work schedule.

The bottom line is, I aim to be available Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM - and it never works that way. When you need me, just call. We'll make arrangements for your session at a time that is convenient for you!
Where do you shoot?
We have a beautiful studio in Muskego Wisconsin. Additionally we photograph wherever you desire. It may be a sporting event, a favorite park, a pet store, a humane society, or even your home.

Senior Portrait sessions are typically done half in studio and half on location. We use Muskego Park, a landscaped property that includes features such as a rock wall (from a really old barn that is gone), a weathered fence under trees and metal sculptures, Frame Park, Boerner Botanical Gardens, Idle Isle, the Milwaukee Art Museum & lakefront as well as sites of your choosing. Some of these require fees and some take more planning due to distance. No matter where we go your session will be memorable with great scenery in the background.

Contact Information

Phone	262.679.7900
Fax	815.301.2868
e-mail	info@MindWorksPhotography.com
Address	MindWorks Photography LLC W229 S8170 Big Bend Dr. Big Bend, WI 53103 View Location Map

Proud member of the Professional Photographers of America - PPA.

National Association of Photoshop Professionals - NAPP.

MindWorks Photography is now an Internet Content Rating Association (ICRA) checked site.

Online Payments

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