Q&A: "First Class" PLEBE PORTRAIT
TOPIC: What is a "First Class" PLEBE PORTRAIT ?
Q: What is a "First Class" PLEBE PORTRAIT? A: It is an Informal Portrait we take of your son/daughter in the Yard in the Fall. We use the natural setting of the Yard for this portrait.
TOPIC: Signing Up for the First Class PLEBE PORTRAIT.
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Q: What is the charge for creating the photographs?
 A: There is a Creative Fee charge of $29.95. It pays for the time involved in scheduling and creating your son/daughter's portrait. Any photographs or photo products (TRIPLE COLLAGE, XMAS CARDS and XMAS PHOTOS) that you wish to order are in addition to the Creative Fee. The Creative Fee of $29.95 is nonrefundable and nontransferrable.
Q: Can I see more samples? A: Yes, Click Here.
Q: When do you take them? A: In the Yard starting starting September 6 and 7 at 1300 hrs (1:00 p.m.) We take them between1300 hrs and 1600 hrs. Other dates are: Sept 13, 20, 27; Oct. 4, 11,12, 18,25, Nov 1,8. November dates are not as good as foliage has changed.
Q: Can I purchase the photo files? A: Sorry. Not possible.
Q; When should I sign up for the Plebe Portrait? A: As soon as possible. There are limited appointment times available. We do work on a first come first-served basis.
Q: What is the deadline for signing up for the Portrait? A: Sept 1, if we still have openings. After Sept 1, it becomes very difficult to schedule.
Q: Who will be taking the portraits? A: Larry Thornton or an associate will take the photographs.
Q: Can I see a sample portrait sitting? A: Yes, you can. Please click here.
Q: Is the Creative Fee refundable? A: Sorry, it is not.It is also nontransferrable.
Q: Can I apply my Registration credit toward ordering copies of the portraits? A: Yes, you can.
Q: Will the Academy take a portrait of my son/daughter? A: Yes, they will. It is taken inside usually with a formal dark portrait background. The portraits we take are much more informal with the beauty of the Yard as a background, not a studio canvas background.
Q: If I decide later to sign up for the "First Class" Plebe Portrait, how do I do this? A: Once you log in, go to "MEMBERS HOME" page. Select the PORTRAIT tab, and click on 'Sign Up For."
Q: What happens if my son/daughter does not make the appointed sitting time? A: Just call Eleanor at (410) 897-9573 to reschedule. Please make every effort to schedule a day and time that your son/daughter will be available.
Q: If my son/daughter wishes to have the sittting in the Spring, can it be done? A: Yes, it can. Uusally, we only have two Sundays to take portraits in the Spring. First choice should be the Fall.
Q: On what day of the week do you take these portraits? A: On Sundays, when the Plebes are not allowed to leave the Yard. The only exception is Labor Day Weekend and Veterans Day. On those two weekends we can create the portrait on Sunday or Monday. However, the Plebes typically can not leave the Yard on Sunday -- and remain in the Yard on Monday.
Q: What happens if my son/daughter always has a personal conflict so he/she can't make the sitting time? A: Let us know as soon as possible so we can reschedule -- or we can reschedule for the Spring if we have no more openings.
Q: What happens if an Academy obligation suddenly arises? A: The Academy obligation comes first. It does happen, so we have to be flexible.
Q: What if at the last minute my son/daughter is not able to make the sitting time, for whatever reason? A: Call Eleanor on Monday to reschedule.
TOPIC: Portrait Sitting
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Q: Where are the Portraits taken?
A: In the Yard, outside, with the Fall colors and the Yard in the background.The areas we use are the Chapel ( inside and out), Herndon, Mexican Monument, Tecumseh Court, the Rotunda, and Memorial Hall. There are a lot of factors that determine which setting we use. We usually can't tell until the day we take the portraits. CLICK HERE for samples.
Q: How many photographs will you take? A: Normally, 7-10. But it could be more, depending on circumstances.
Q: Can I request specific backgrounds for the sitting?
A: You can, but we can not guarantee that we will be able to use them. Example, we can only use inside the chapel when it is not closed for an Academy function.
Q: What uniform should my son/daughter wear? A: That is up to you. But we would suggest the Full Dress Blues, with the watch belt, gloves, and ribbons. The rule is that a midshipman can wear "the uniform of the day -- or better." To see a sample of the FULL DRESS BLUES and other uniforms, click here.
Q: Can the portrait be taken with two different uniforms? A: It is quite difficult -- as there is no place to make a uniform change. Call Eleanor if you wish to do this.
Q: Can my son/daughter be photographed with his brother or sister? A: Absolutely. Just have both show up at the same time. Click here for sample.
Q: Can we have a family portrait taken in lieu of -- or in addition to --- the portrait sitting? A: Yes, on both counts. Just let us know up front. Click here for sample.
Q: What should my son/daughter bring with him/her? A: For FULL DRESS BLUES, gloves, watch belt, and ribbons. For other uniforms, the white gloves. CLICK HERE for Uniform samples.
Q: Will you take full lenghths, as well as closeups of my son/daughter? A. Yes we will. CLICK HERE for samples.
Q: What happens if it rains? A: We will have to reschdule. We can not take the photographs in the rain. You can also go to the "MEMBER HOME" page, where we keep parents updated.
Q: If I do not like the portraits, will you redo them? A: We will reschedule to take them again, if possible.
Q: Can I see a sample of the Yard locations you use for a background? A: Yes, click here.
TOPIC: Viewing Portrait Proofs
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Q: How long before I can view the Portrait proofs? A: About 5 days.
Q: Can I view the Portrait proofs on line -- or do you send me a hard copy of the proofs? A: We will upload the proofs to our website -- and send you a hard copy of the proofs.
Q: Can you send a second set of proofs to someone else? A: Yes we can. Just call Eleanor. (410) 897-9573
Q: Can someone else view the Portrtait proofs on line? A: Yes, just give them your email address and password.
Q: Can I view a sample set of proofs on line? A: Yes you can. Click here.
Q: How do I access the online proofs? A: To access proofs, go to MEMBERS HOME PAGE. Select the "PORTRAIT" tab and seleck, "My Proof Page."
TOPIC: Ordering copies of the photographs?
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Q: How do I order copies of the photographs? A: Mail, internet, or call Eleanor at (410) 897-9573.
Q: What are the prices of the prints? A: See the Price Schedule. To access. click here.
Q: Is there more editing on the portraits when compared to the Plebe Summer candids? A: Yes, quite a bit more.
Q: Can you crop a photo the head and shoulder even if it is a full length pose? A: Yes we can. CLICK HERE for sample.
TOPIC: Editing of the Portraits
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Q: Do you crop the images? A: Yes, we do.
Q: What size file do you use when making the prints? A: We work with RAW FILES. These files give us much mroe flexibility in editing. A RAW FILE is a "LOSSLESS" file. That means there is no compression in the files as you have with the JPEG format. And therefore, you can do so much more with the image when editing. The JPEG format is considered a "LOSSY" format.
Q: Do you custom edit the prints? A: Yes, we do.

TOPIC: Available Products

TRIPLE COLLAGE, Triple Collage Nine, XMAS Cards, XMAS Photos
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HOME DECOR PRINTS
Q: What is a HOME DECOR print?

A: It is a print 16x20 and 20x24. You'll need to take the print to your own frame.

 
Q: How are the Home Decor prints mounted? A: They are mounted on a special foam board called GATOR BOARD.
Q: What sizes are available for the HOME DECOR prints? A: 16x20 and 20x24.
Q: How do I frame the HOME DECOR prints? A: Take the print to a frame shop and select your frame.
Q: How the the HOME DECOR prints finished? A: A lustre finish.
DESKTOP PRINTS
Q: What size are the Desktop Prints? A: 3 1/2 x 5, 5x7, 8x10, and 13x19.
Q: What are the prices for the DESKTOP Prints? A: See Price Schedule. Click here.
Q: Can I use a portrait in the Coffee Table book? A: Yes, they can. You will need to call Eleanor to do this as it is a custom request. There is an additional charge for this service.
Q: How are the Desktop prints finished? A: Yes, a luster finish.

 
TRIPLE COLLAGE
Q: What is a TRIPLE COLLAGE? A: It is a 13x19 print with three vertical images from your PLEBE PORTRAIT sitting. You can order the TRIPLE COLLAGE with or without words. Click here for a sample. NOTE: that the cropping on these three images is significantly thinner than a 5x7. It is a 4x7. The photograph you seleect should be approrpiate for this.
Q: May I see a larger sample? A: Yes, CLICK HERE -- or on the image to the right.
Q: Can I make a TRIPLE COLLAGE with Plebe Summer photographs? A: Yes, you can. NOTE, however, that the photographs will need to be cropped much thinner than a normal 5 x7 print.
Q: Can I see a larger version of the TRIPLE COLLAGE with Plebe Summer photos? A: Yes, CLICK HERE --- or click on image to the right. The croppping is much thinner than a 5x7.
TRIPLE COLLAGE Nine
Q: What is the TRIPLE COLLAGE nine? A: It is nine small versions of the TRIPLE COLLAGE. These small versions measure 3 1/2 x 5. We print nine of the Triple Collage on a 13 x 19 piece of photographic paper.
XMAS CARDS
Q: What is the minumum number of XMAS cards I can order? A: 16
Q: What are the prices of the XMAS cards?
# of Cards
Price
16
$39.95
32
$79.95
48
$119.00
64
$149.00
80
$179.00
90
$199.00
Q: Can I change the wording on the bottom of the card? A: Yes, you can. A place will be provided for you to indicate the wording you want.
Q: Can I see a larger sample card? A: YES, click here.
Q: What kind envelope do you use? A: A 4 bar envelope that measures 3 5/8 x 5 1/8.
Q: Can I use a photograph from Plebe Summer -- and not a PLEBE PORTRAIT? A: Yes.
XMAS PHOTOS
Q: What are XMAS photos?
 A: They are prints at a greatly reduced price of the same image. You insert them with your XMAS cards.
Q: What is the minimum number of prints I need to order?
 A: 25
Q: What size are the prints?
 A: Wallet size -- 2 1/2 x 3 1/2.
Q: What sizes are the XMAS picture available in? A: Wallets ( 2 1/2 x 3 1/2 -- and 3 1/2 x 5.
Q: Do I have to use the same photo for all the prints?
 A: Yes.
Q: What is the price for the XMAS pictures?
Wallets 2.5 x 3.5 inches
# PICTURES
Price
25
$34.95
50
$58.95
75
$99.95
100
$139.95
3 1/2 x 5 Prints
# PICTURES
Price
16
$39.95
32
$69.95
48
$94.95
64
$109.95
TOPIC: Delivery
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Q: Will I receive them by XMAS?
A: Yes, prvovided theyre ordered by Nov 30.
DISCLAIMER: The Q&A above are based on last year's Plebe Summer. There may be changes for this Plebe Summer.