Frequently Asked Questions
How long have you been in business? I founded Paramount Photography Hawaii in 1993, but have been a Professional Photographer since right out of High School in 1972. I graduated from the New York Institute of Photography in 1982 and went on to preside over the photography department for St. Cyr Advertising. For more information on my Art and Photography background, please see About the Artist.
How do I arrange for your Portrait Service? It's easy! Just click on the Commission Your Portrait link, fill in the answers to the few simple questions there, and click Send. As soon as I get your information and request for service, I will contact you, and we can make arrangements for your Portrait Consultation and Creation.
How much do you charge? The Creation Fee is $200. This pays for my time in Consultation, Creating your portraits in camera, and the original design session. The Portrait Collection that you eventually decide on will determine the total amount of your investment. I make beautiful Wall Decor to 40x60 inches in both Deluxe Custom, (Fine Portrait Paper), and Masterpiece Canvas. Of course smaller desktop and album sizes are also available. Your Portrait Collection will be uniquely yours, so investment will vary.
How long after the Portrait Creation until my finished portraits are ready? Deluxe Custom Portraits are ready in 2 to 3 weeks. Masterpiece Portraits take about a week longer.
How far in advance do we need to Reserve our Portrait Session? I don't have a hard and fast requirement for a minimum advance time for booking my services. The busiest time of year for me is July through December, so if you want to have your portraits made in the 2nd half of the year, the earlier you reserve your session, the better. Generally a month in advance is recommended, but if I can accommodate your request, I will. Just call or email to check on availability.
Do you use Film or Digital? For 30+ years I used film. I haven't bought a roll of any kind of film for 3 years now. I was not eager to jump on the digital "bandwagon" early on. I was used to the results I got from medium format film, which is far superior to 35mm film, and what I was seeing of digital results wasn't favorable. I knew that at some point digital quality would equal film, and that time came, in my opinion, about 4 or 5 years ago. I finally made the move to 100% digital 4 years ago.
How do Film and Digital Compare? If you want a scientific answer, there are those far better able than I to answer that question. For me the comparisons are purely subjective. As a visual artist, I have seen the results coming from digital capture and printing go from very poor, to good, to very good, to equal to film, and now, in my opinion, better than film! I have made digital prints up to 40x60 from digital capture at 6.1 megapixels, that have no grain, and with a sharpness that make medium format film prints at 30x40 look soft! And now I'm using a 10.2 MP capture.... Also, the top quality digital prints now have a colorfast rating of up to 200+ years!
Do you require a Deposit? Yes. All reservations require a deposit in the amount of the Creation Fee, $200.
Is the Deposit Refundable? Deposits are not refundable. The exception would be in the case where I failed to provide contracted services due to overbooking, some other oversight or an "act of God". In every case we will do our utmost to fulfill our commitments. We can move a Location session in to the Studio,or we will reschedule if possible. I will only accept One Portrait Commission per day, and we will do whatever we can to make sure it works well for you, but once we reserve a time for you, that time is yours, and we will refuse anyone else that might request the same time period. As a result, if you should cancel, we not only lose your commission, but also any other that could have been scheduled.
What about bad Weather ? If we have a Location session scheduled for you, and the weather turns bad, we can either reschedule, or move the session to a different location, or in to the Studio. Fortunately, the weather isn't usually bad here in Hawaii...quite to the contrary! It's usually very nice weather here, and even when it isn't good, there's usually another location where it's better. That's why we say here in Hawaii, "If you no like da weather, wait 5 minutes!" (Or, drive 5 minutes down the road...)
Do you charge a Travel Fee for Location Work? That depends. For Portraits on Oahu, unless there are extraordinary requirements, No. You could say it is included in the price of your Portrait Creation. If I am required to travel to an outer island, then the round trip air fare and a car rental will be charged to the client, (you). And in some cases hotel accommodations will also be charged.
Do you offer Hair & Makeup Artistry for Portraits? I don't personally do hair or makeup, and I don't have anyone on staff for that, but I am privileged to be able to call on 3 of the best, and consequently most in demand hair & makeup artists on the island. They are independent contractors, and you will pay them directly for their services at the time of service. Generally they take about 45 minutes per person to do both hair and makeup. If you'll want their help, it's best to reserve early! They can meet you at my studio to prepare you, or you can make other arrangements.
You may also bring your own hair & makeup artist, or do your own. If you do your own I suggest you bring along your hair tools, and makeup. I can make suggestions to improve your makeup if necessary, but I won't try to put it on you.
How should I Dress for my Portrait? Portraits are very personal, and the person you want to please is you! So, the bottom line is dress the way you want to. Now, that being said, Portraits are about People...not Clothes. In my opinion, the clothes should, in every case, be complimentary to the wearer. Not distracting or attention grabbing. Clothing should be low contrast, and should be clean and pressed. In groups, you want to avoid colors that clash, and tones that are high contrast to each other. We'll discuss what you plan to wear for your portraits further during your consultation.
Can you recommend Locations for our Portrait Session? Absolutely! I have had the privilege of living on all the Hawaiian islands, (except Niihau and Kahoolawe), and can suggest several beautiful locations on any island for your Hawaiian Location Portraits.
How Long does a portrait session last? I don't have a specific time limit for portrait sessions, and my involvement is most of the day, but typically the actual portrait creation in camera takes a couple hours. It can be more or less, depending on what you are wanting from the session. If it's a large group or a number of families comprising the group, it can take longer.
How Many photographs/exposures do you make during a Portrait Session? Again, I really don't count or limit frames or exposures. I've always been one to visualize images before I create them, so I don't just shoot off frames in machine gun fashion hoping I get something good. However I do like to keep going until I'm satisfied that you will be very happy with the results. In a typical portrait session I will get between 50 and 100+ images.
When will I be able to View/Proof my portraits? If your session is in Studio, you may view and proof right after the session, or take a break and come back to proof. Usually after a Location portrait session, you will come to the studio the following day to proof.
Do you offer Paper Proofs? No. Even back when I used film and all proofing was paper, I didn't let the proofs leave the studio. You can order 4x5 or 4x6 portrait prints, but currently, proofing is done on a 22" computer monitor. In the future I plan to implement proofing by projecting images onto a 40x50 canvas screen.
Can I get a CD of Images from my Portrait Session? Yes, image CDs are available. Proof images on CD are available for $50, and the images are 4x6 at 72dpi, and have my studio copyright on them. If you want printable images on CD they are currently $50 plus $100 per image.
Can I make my own, or have Copies made from what I get from you? If you order a high res image CD at $50 plus $100 per image, then, yes. Otherwise, all images are copyright protected and may not be copied or reproduced without written permission.
Do you offer Packages? I offer complete Portrait Collections, which include a number of Portrait Prints, but these are completely customized to your requirements. I don't insist that you order a specific number of wallet size, or 5x7, etc. I don't feel it is my place to tell you what you should order, other than to suggest the proper sizes for your wall decor. I certainly don't want you ending up with portraits you don't want or need that wind up in a drawer. My Portrait Collections are outlines, and may be added to as needed, A La Carte.
What Quality Prints do you offer? The portrait Prints I offer are the state-of-the-art. My Deluxe Custom Portraits are printed on Premium Luster Art Portrait Paper and finished with a protective art spray. They have a colorfast rating of over 100 years.
My Masterpiece Canvas Portraits are printed on Premier Art Canvas, mounted on acid free mount board, and finished with several coats of fine art finishing spray. These have a colorfast rating of up to 200 + years.
What are your Portrait Print Prices? I don't publish my portrait print prices for a few reasons. It's not that I charge whatever I feel like at the moment. I do have a set price for each size and finish. But, you can't tell anything by price alone...except the price. Also, there are so many options as to treatments, it could tend to get confusing. And I would rather talk with you to explain my pricing. My portrait print prices are competitive with other fine portrait studios on Oahu, but if you are shopping for the lowest prices, you won't find that here. What you will find here is the best quality and value !
Do you include Retouching of Portraits? Absolutely! All portraits get standard portrait retouch. That includes removing blemishes, softening lines and wrinkles, and reducing shine on foreheads and noses, etc. Additional artwork can be done, and may have an additional charge on Deluxe Custom portraits. With Masterpiece Portraits, in addition to the standard retouch, I do additional artwork on the images which may include a variety of techniques, all included.
Can I get Black and White as well as Color Prints? Sure! I can make color, Black & White, Sepia tone, or even colorized B&W. Custom borders and other artwork is also available.
How Long do you Keep the Images? I keep all images archived on CD or DVD indefinitely. You can always reorder from your session.
Can I Order more Later? Yes. I keep all the images from your session indefinitely, so that you can reorder any time in the future.
When do I Pay for my Portrait Order? At the time you Preview your portraits we will have a design session where we'll talk about where you plan to place your portraits in your home, what sizes are appropriate, and if you will be making gifts of your portraits, and or Memory Books. At the same time, you will be expected to place your order for your Portrait Collection. I accept payment in full at the time of ordering.
What Type of Payment do you accept? US Dollars, (cash), Visa, Mastercard, Money Order, Cashiers Check, local Personal and Business checks, out of State Personal and Business checks with proper ID and a credit card as security.
If your question is not addressed here, please don't hesitate to call or Email.
Aloha!