FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: How do I reach you?
A: Best. Question. Ever. CALL: 909.379.9265; EMAIL: pbcreativeonline@gmail.com. Oh, and please bookmark this page for easy future reference.
Q: The site is asking for my email address. Why?
A: If you're not yet to the shopping cart stage, it's probably because you clicked on the small "Log in" text centered at the bottom of the page. You can ignore it; that link is for the site administrator (yours truly).
Q: Do you offer volume discounts?
A: Yes. With a purchase of five (5) or more photos (downloads or prints), I'll be happy to issue a 20% discount coupon. Please call or email PB to receive the discount code.
Q: How do I make a purchase?
A: My favorite question! Click on a thumbnail photo to enlarge it. Now click the "BUY" button somewhere on the right side of the page. A small popup menu will appear; click "This Photo." This will bring you to the store window (it does not commit you to a purchase just yet). This is where you'll see what's available and how much everything costs. As you'll see, there is a lot to choose from, at reasonable prices. Make your selection(s) then click Checkout. It works much like any other online store, like Amazon.
Q: What are my payment options?
A: This site is hosted by SmugMug, which accepts credits cards and PayPal. Client work is typically done via invoice.
Q: Is my credit card number and personal info safe? How secure are we talking here?
A: This site is hosted by SmugMug, a service that's been around for 15+ years. That's very old in internet times. SmugMug has millions of customers who have made millions of transactions. "We take security very very seriously," I am assured by the company. SmugMug, Inc., holds a website identity assurance warranty of $250,000. This means that you are insured for up to $250,000 when relying on the information provided by IdAuthority on this site. On any page where you are asked to enter billing information, you'll see the URL begins with "https://". That "s" tells you that you're entering your info into a secure form.
Q: How do I get my download once I've made a purchase?
A: You will be sent an email from SmugMug within moments. It will have a link for you to click which will deliver the file(s) to your computer in no time flat.
Q: What is the difference between a "Personal" and "Commercial" license?
A: If you're using the photo for business purposes, such as a corporate website, print advertising, displays, catalogs, etc., or for editorial uses such as magazines or newsletters (print or web) – in short, anything that can earn a profit in itself – then a Commercial License is required and it's going to cost a bit more for those rights.
Q: What the heck are all those different photo finishes for prints?
A: Here's a brief description: Glossy finish is common today from fast, local photo finishers (e.i. drug stores) as well as online printing retailers. These photographs have a shiny appearance that shows off the details and colors of the image, but can create a glare when reflected off light, and are highly susceptible to fingerprints. Matte finish is what you have most likely viewed if you have ever noticed a "texture" on a photograph. While this texture does reduce the sharpness of the image somewhat, one of its purposes is to help reduce glare and the fingerprint problem normally associated with glossy prints. Matte finishes are a good option for photographs which are frequently handled and/or viewed outside of a frame or album. Luster finish is most easily thought of as being somewhere in between gloss and matte. Luster prints are slightly glossy, which helps enhance the image's color and details, but also feature a very fine "texture" to help reduce glare and fingerprints. Luster offers a nice balance between the features of glossy and matte.
Q: Do you do metal prints?
A:Metal (not to be confused with metallic) prints are created by infusing dyes directly into specially coated aluminum sheets, creating truly archival works of art. This finish showcases a revolutionary new medium that is highly durable, waterproof, weatherproof, and ultra scratch-resistant. The unique printing method gives your photos a vibrant luminescence with incredible detail and resolution. Often offered in High Gloss and Satin finishes. Each print has rounded corners for your safety and the surface can be easily cleaned with any commercial glass cleaner. Metal prints come ready-to-hang with two 3/4" thick lightweight foam blocks and aluminum plate with pre-drilled holes. Metal prints can be sized 30x40" and up are backed with an inset frame for added stability. When hung, these stunning prints will float off the wall. PB personally has several metal pieces on his walls. They are awesome.
Q: What about printing on canvas?
A: You bet, Picasso. Your photo can also be printed directly onto museum-quality canvas material, so prints will not separate over time. Protective spray coating is applied to the surface of each print to help prevent scratches and other damage.
Q: Why does the photo I've chosen require cropping when I'm placing an order?
A: Some print size options don't have the same proportions as the original, out-of-the-camera photo. Example: an 8x10 print will require a little cropping, while an 8x12 will not. Don't worry, the checkout process allows you to easily adjust cropping. If an image cannot be cropped, then your best bet is to select a print size that matches the photo proportions.
Q: I have this idea… Can PB produce it?
A: If you need a size that's not listed on the price list, or if you're really thinking outside the box, don’t hesitate to contact me for completely custom jobs (i.e., calendars, greeting cards, books, albums, displays, photos with text, logos or other art, etc.). And if you need a bit of custom work on a photo, like different cropping or some Photoshop manipulation, just drop us a line.
Q: What if I'm not happy with the photo or it comes damaged?
A: No worries. Between this site's SmugMug host and Phil Beckman Photography, we will take care of you. SmugMug has seriously stellar customer service, and I believe my current customers would say the same for yours truly. It's become a cliché at this point, but customer satisfaction and loyalty are my #1 goal in this business. In fact, I once wrote a book about it for a corporate client.
Q: Will you shoot my wedding?
A: Um, thanks for asking, but I'd rather not. For that I would refer you to my gloriously talented daughter, Sara Beckman.
Q: What if I have a question or a problem?
A: Lay it on me. Email: pbcreativeonline@gmail.com. Phone: 909.379.9265.