FAQ

Where are you located?

We have been in Maine for over 20 years and we work globally.

What’s the best way to contact you?

Email is a great way to reach out to us. However, if you have immediate questions or feel the need to talk with someone live we welcome phone calls during business hours M-F 9-6 EST (207-874-0587).

Should I create an account?

For most photography jobs it is not necessary to have an account. For larger and ongoing projects we will create an account for our clients.  Within the account portal you will have: access to all sorts of information about the status of your job; the ability to create job “tickets”; the history of our professional relationship; invoices; payments, and much more.

PHOTOGRAPHY FAQ

How much advanced booking is recommended?

For most photography projects 1-3 weeks advanced booking is recommended. For websites and other creative services time frame is dependent on the scope of project and the status of our current projects.

What is your average turnaround time?

For photography you can expect to see digital proofs within 5 business days from the day we receive your work. You can expect to receive notice that your work has been shipped back to you within 1-2 days of your approval of the images. NOTE: High-volume jobs and high-valued items are given priority and may affect usual time frames. We honor deadlines if we know them ahead of time.

Websites and other creative services requite greater turnaround, which is dependent on the scope of the project and the number of revisions. On average, a portfolio site that is well-organized (and where all the material is collected in time) can take 2-4 weeks. An e-commerce site can range from 1-3 months depending on the sophistication of the design.

You sometimes use models and props, how do those differ from your standard charges?

Several times a year we hire a professional model and makeup artist to provide our photography clients with the opportunity to have their work photographed on a live form. Sign up for our mailing list for notifications.  Spaces are limited.

What do I include in the box with my artwork?

Please include: a completed Work Order Form downloaded from the website; an inventory sheet that itemizes the pieces you have included; any special instructions regarding the handling and photography of your work. Include check or money order with your shipment. If you plan to pay with a credit card we require payment prior to the return shipment of your work or the upload of your files.

How should I ship my work?

We recommend U.S. Postal Service Registered Mail to the P.O. BOX address listed on the Work Order Form. If prefer to use another carrier (such as UPS or FEDEX) a street address we will be provided ONLY after confirmation of your booking and when the pieces are ready to be shipped. Never ship your work without making an appointment.

What happens when you receive my work?

Your box will be opened and inspected to ensure all the contents are intact. Each piece will be matched with the inventory sheet you provide. After your instructions are read you will either be called or emailed if any clarification is necessary.

Will I see proofs before the work is returned?

Yes. 1-2 days after your photoshoot you will receive via email a PDF file of images from your photoshoot. THESE IMAGES WILL BE UN-RETOUCHED. This proof will ensure that all of your instructions and criteria provided prior to the photoshoot have been met. Upon approval, your work will be retouched (usually within 1-2 business days). Please see our reshoot policy below.

What is your reshoot policy?

If all instructions and criteria you provided prior to the photoshoot have been met, and you request additional photography, charges will apply. We will take responsibility if any portion of your instructions were not followed. Reasonable artistic license should be expected from our studio and is precisely why people choose to work with us.

How do I pay?

Payment is required before any portion of your work is shipped back. Please include a check or money order when you ship your work to us. Credit card payments are taken over the phone or through our website.

How will I receive the final retouched images?

After you have approved the proofs and the images are retouched a CD or DVD will be included in the package with your work. On the disk will be several folders including hi-resolution TIFF files, JPEG files, a PAPERWORK file, which will include your invoice, receipt and all electronic support material. If you have requested any additional formatting (e.g. Juried Art Services or Zapplication) these files will be included in separate folders.

What if I need my images quickly, but not the work (or visa versa)?

We offer the option to upload your files via a transfer site (such as idisk or Dropbox). An upload fee will apply. You will still receive a disk unless you choose otherwise. If you need your work back before the images we will promptly expedite the shipment after your proofs are approved. For a small fee we will upload your images to online application sites such as Juried Art Services or Zapplication.

How will my work be shipped back to me?

We return ship USPS Registered mail unless you have otherwise indicated on the Work Order Form. Our standard return shipment charges include a handling fee and $1000 of insurance. If you indicate a higher insurance amount additional insurance fees may apply. If you utilize a third-party insurer (such as Parcel Pro) please include all the necessary paperwork.

I have lost my disk and cannot locate images from a previous photoshoot!

Contact us today and we may be able to help you. If we have worked with you from 2006 to the present it is likely we have a digital record of that work in our archives. Our archival retrieval fee includes a new disk with mailing OR uploading the file to a transfer site. It is highly recommended that you backup your images as soon as you receive your images from us.

WEBSITE FAQ

Regarding websites, what if I have a specific color I use? What if I don’t?

If you have specific brand colors we will ask for those during the initial website consultation phase. We ask for the numbers/letters for any DIC, Pantone, Toyo, hex colors that you use. If you DO NOT have any specific colors, or do not know the numbers from any color system, here are a few useful links for you to get started (hex, Pantone, DIC, TOYO)  We are very good with color, so let us help you decide, and we will codify their use so your site and your printed material will maintain professional consistency.

What if I don’t have a domain name or host for my website?

We can certainly help you set that up. If you want to purchase your own Berlian Arts recommends Bluehost. We have a fantastic relationship with Bluehost and their customer service is unparalleled. See the sidebar for more options or contact us directly and we’ll walk you through selecting and signing up for a package best suited for your hosting needs.