Q & A

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 $39.95, or $49.95 after registration. It pays for the time involved in scheduling and creating your son/daughter's portrait. Any photographs you wish to order are in addition to the Creative Fee. The Creative Fee 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 in September and ending in October.
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 will take the photographs.
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 "Purchase Sitting."
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: 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. Also on home football game Saturdays.
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 find a makeup day for you.
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. 410-897-9573
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 lengths, 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 take the photos in the Rotunda and Memorial Hall area.
TOPIC: Viewing Portrait Proofs
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Q: How long before I can view the Portrait proofs? A: About 5 days.
Q: How do I view the proofs? A: We will email you a PDF file pf the proofs
Q: Can I view a sample set of proofs on line? A: Yes you can. Click here.
TOPIC: Ordering copies of the photographs?
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Q: How do I order copies of the photographs? A: Mail or call Eleanor at (410) 897-9573.
Q: What are the prices of the prints? A: See the Price Schedule.
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.
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 more 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

 
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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.

 
TOPIC: Delivery
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Q: Will I receive them by XMAS?
A: Yes, provided they are 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.