Services
Portraits are created from photographs provided by you, digital or hard-copy, and are used (without altering the original)
in conjuction with artistic backgrounds, fanciful effects, and mood lighting.
My work is a customized, one-of-a-kind portrait to highlight the subject in a fantasy setting, and your suggestions and ideas
are incorporated to make the piece truly personal. You will receive (via e-mail) a high-quality .jpg file from which you may create
your own prints, and you may also purchase print packages from me.
Other services are available, including greeting cards, T-shirts, coffee mugs, magnets, just to name a few...see Packages and Pricing for more info.

Other artists online offer similiar styled portraits, however their backgrounds are pre-designed, and you have little choices.
My options are endless! Whatever fantasy you'd like to create, I can achieve for you. I have, however, had a few requests for pre-designed backgrounds,
so I have started creating a new gallery of themes...please Click Here to view my gallery,
and select the album marked "Pre-Made backgrounds" to view them. I will be adding more on a regular basis; if you'd like to see a theme that isn't shown,
please E-mail Me with your suggestions.
However bear in mind, by choosing a custom background, you have a unique portrait tailored just for you! Your custom artwork will not
be made available to any other customer.. I don't buy or sell any of my backgrounds on sites such as eBay. I design them myself.

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Placing An Order
It begins with you choosing your favorite photograph of the portrait subject(s).
You may have as many people as you wish in the photo; please see Packages and Pricing for details.
Sending your photo (in highest resolution possible) as a .jpg or .bmp file to my e-mail address is the preferred and fastest way to ship.
Alternate methods include giving me a link to your photobucket or personal webspace account where I can download it, or you can send the photo
in the mail and I will scan it myself.

Once you've decided on your package, I send it to my printer. Right now, I'm working with an outside printing company to ensure
high quality photos. Generally it takes up to a week to get the order back from them, and once I've received it, I will check over the prints
before mailing them to you via Priority Mail. You will receive an e-mail from me on the day they are shipped.
I am now shipping with Delivery Conformation, and bent/damaged portraits can be replaced or refunded. Simply notify me of their condition,
(so if replacements are desired, they can be ordered promptly) then ship the damaged prints back to me, and I will replace or refund them
including the postage fees.

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Packages and Pricing
The following prices include shipping

One custom portrait (with a min. of 4 proofs - same background): $39.99
...Additional custom background/accessories (using the same photo): $19.99
Pre-designed backgrounds (min. of 4 proofs): $19.99

You can use any number of people/pets from the original photo as you choose; if you wish additional subjects from a separate photo used
in the portrait, it will cost $5.00 per additional photo...
Please indicate when sending photo(s), who is to be included/excluded from the portrait.

Package Options include:

Standard Package: (2) 8x10, (4) 5x7, (4) 4x6, and (24) wallets (3 sheets of 8 ea.): $19.99

Bonus Package: (3) 8x10, (6) 5x7, (4) 4x6, and (24) wallets: $29.99

Deluxe Package: (1) 11x14, (4) 8x10, (8) 5x7, (4) 4x6, (32) wallets: $39.99

Prices for Individual Prints - shipping not included: 8x10: $5.99 5x7: $2.99 4x6: $ .99 sheet of (8) wallets: $2.49 11x14: $14.99

The shipping charge, of $5.95 (US), will be added to the total of your additional order.

Please check out my Special Offers for great deals and gift ideas

Other items featuring your selected portrait are available for purchase, and make enchanting gifts, including:

Greeting Cards (with envelope):
• single card (w/ envelope) $2.99
•(pack of 10) $24.99
•(pack of 20) $39.99 (optional text inside: up to 10 lines, for no additional cost)
Post cards 4x6: $1.99 each
Address book: $14.99
Day Planner: $14.99
Notebook (lined or unlined): $12.99
Coasters 6 pk: $29.99
15 oz. mug: $14.99 (oven/micro safe)
Mousepad: $14.99
Magnet
• 3x4: $4.99
• 4x6: $5.99

These do not include shipping charges... as that will vary depending on the weight of your total order.
If you wish to purchase any of these items, please e-mail me with your intended order and I will check on the exact shipping charges (and let you know)
before placing the order with the printer.

• For T-shirts, I've begun working with CafePress because I like their variety of styles and quality...

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Payment Options
I accept and highly recommend PayPal, as it's the fastest and most secure method of payment.
I'll also accept money orders and cashier's checks for the exact amount. Payment is required upon ordering, and I will e-mail your portraits once payment
is received.

Unfortunately, I can't accept personal checks unless you're an established customer. I will hold checks until they clear the bank (up to a week)
before e-mailing your portraits.

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New Referral Offer: If an established customer refers a friend to my services, they will receive a custom portrait FOR FREE!
Simply have your friend contact me to place an order, and mention that they "were referred by __(your name)__" and I will e-mail you a coupon for a free portrait.
Established customers are those who have already purchased at least one portrait in the past.

You may also purchase gift certificates for portraits, packages, etc. to give to others. Simply pay the amount of a portrait, and I will send the recipient
a gift certificate "from you" (either via e-mail or ground mail) for the intended service.

I also take commissions for photo corrections/enhancements: removing and repairing unwanted elements, or adding special effects - costs vary
from $5-$10 depending on the complexity of the work. Contact me for requests and details.

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Photo Tips
Please review these photo tips for submission:

On digital cameras, please select the highest quality possible for taking the picture. If scanning a photo, please scan at the highest level of DPI possible (300 dpi or greater)
Important Note: The sharpness of your finished portrait is determined in large part by the quality of the picture sent to me,
although I will try my best to correct them if needed. If I think the photo will be a problem, I'll ask about the possibility of sending another.
When choosing a picture, keep in mind what the subject(s) might be doing in the final portrait. Flying, sitting, sleeping, etc?
Choose a pose that reflects this. If you'll be taking a photo specifically for this portrait, and are interested in capturing a "flying" pose,
try having them straddle a bar stool or chair corner (as close to the edge as safely possible), sitting on the edge of a swing,
any place that causes the legs to dangle in the air, gives the floating effect... being on the edge minimizes the bent legs/knees and appearance
of a sitting lap.
I've also seen some neat shots taken from an ariel view (a stool or stepladder), where the subject poses lying on the floor, pretending to fly.
Here are a few links to a stock model's account to give an example of this simple, but effective, technique:
(just make sure your shadow isn't being cast onto them)

If you live in the (western Maryland) Hagerstown area, and would like me to stage a photo shoot for you (for the sole purpose of this portrait),
please contact me via e-mail first... (I will give my phone number to any serious customer). We can schedule an appointment to meet on location
(i.e. a park, your home, etc.) or at my personal residence.
The only fee for this service would be gas compensation if I'm required to meet you on location.

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About Me
I am a mother of two, with a tradition of dragging my family to get their portraits taken for every major holiday and event.
Predictably, I was never quite satisfied with the results. Either the backgrounds were boring, or else they wouldn't cooperate with the photographer...
but I usually wound up with portraits I wasn't thrilled with. I began thinking, "There has to be another way..."
I had always had an interest in traditional art and photography, and my family had been encouraging me to use my artistic skills
for "something"... but opening my own photography studio seemed a bit too daunting for me.
However, a friend introduced me to the world of photo-manipulation - without an expensive studio full of equipment, I could create the pictures
in my head and get exactly what I had been searching for elsewhere; something imaginative and special.
It became an obsession, but my family enjoyed seeing themselves incorporated into fanciful settings... and they started placing orders of their own.
I thought, "Wow, this is so simple, anyone can do it. I'm surprised some of these traditional shops are still in business?"
Granted, it takes hours to get the picture looking the way I want it - trying to blend all the elements together seamlessly -
but it took me even longer to realize that some people want the look but don't have the patience, time, or artistic ability to do it themselves.
Thus, I decided to take the plunge by offering my services to others.

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      All artwork created by me is under copyright and cannot be distributed without my written permission. I give permission to my customers to make prints
for their personal use, and display their portraits on personal websites. All portraits created may be displayed in my art gallery, unless the customer
requests otherwise at the time of purchase. I will not use licensed photographs or characters in my designs.