A: We accept:

• Digital images - (via email, CD, or uploaded to our server) we take them in any image format, but most likely it will be a JPEG (.jpg) file format. Digital images can sometimes be saved smaller than is needed for printing. Follow the tips below to make sure they are big enough.

We do not accept:

• Film - negatives or slides. Most 1 hour photo labs like Wal Mart and Costco will put your images on a CD so you can give them to us digitally.
• Prints - You will need to scan these on a flatbed scanner and make them digital before we can use them..

Please review the following information:

• Do you own the copyright, or do you have written permission from the copyright owner? Basically, whoever took the photograph owns the copyright. We will not use photos unless we are satisfied that you have permission to use them. We require every customer to email us an statement that they have permission/ownership. Here are some ways you can tell whether you are legally able to use the photos:
  • You took them yourself.
  • A close friend/relative took them, gave them to you and said the pictures were yours.
  • A professional photographer took them AND gave the images to you with written permission to use them for any person purposes.
  • A professional photographer took them AND gave the images to you and their photography contract gives you such permission.

• Are the photos large enough?
  • Digital images are usually large enough, but to make sure do the following:
    • Set the image size to the largest size possible, and set the quality to finest. It is tempting to try to fit more photos on a memory card by decreasing quality or file size, but doing so may result in pixelated images!
    • If you have a CD from a photographer, give us the largest images that are on the CD. SOme CD's have preview images that are easier to email. Those images are often not even large enough for smaller pictures on your annoucements.
    • Bottom line: The larger the files (the less you can fit on one memory card) the better!!
  • Film-based images (prints and negatives)
    • If you have both the 4x6" print and a negative, send the negative!!! There is so much more detail in the actual film, plus some prints have texture that impedes scanning of prints.
    • If all you have is a print, then you are less likely to be the photographer or acquainted with the photographer, you will need to prove that you are authorized to use the photo.
    • If all you have is the 4x6" print, then the only way you will have enough detail in a photo that will be used as the main image, is if the two of you fill almost the entire print

• Photography 101: If you or a friend will be shooting your photos.
  • Fill the frame!!! Unless your main picture will be used as part of the background (as in the first two examples above), then you should concentrate on the people, not the background. "Amateur" pictures are easily noticable because the main subject matter (the couple) are low in the frame and half or more of the photograph is boring background.
  • Still fill the frame! Even if the background is made up by the photo, the couple still fills the frame vertically, and they are purposefully set to one side to make room for words.
  • Shoot in the shade when possible, or when overcast. Shade is soft light, and it looks better. Make sure the background is also in shade. It is counter-productive to have very bright backgrounds, as they will distract from the couple.
  • Don't shoot in too dark of a situation. If it is too dark you will either get too much flash, or blurry images from slow shutter speeds.
  • If you have any other questions regarding your photos, contact us.