Here are some of the most frequently asked questions that we hear. If you need further assistance we are here to help! Just give our corporate headquarters a call:
Customer service: 800-207-8674
Sales assistance: 877-255-8856 ext 221
Why should I pick Creative Images?
There are points of difference in our program that we believe will best serve your parents. You are welcome to explore our site or contact our sales department at 877-255-8856 ext 221 to discover if ours are the best solutions for your school and parents. The most important reason however, is that this company is made up of individuals that care about each and every one of you. We still believe every school will always be a client so we want to make you happy each and every Picture Day. When a client wants to try something new, we take it personally so we figure out a way to be that something new each time. We are dedicated to you, your staff, your children and your parents.
How far in advance should I schedule my Picture Day?
In order to get the most preferred dates for your school, we recommend scheduling 6-9 months in advance. However, we try to accommodate all requests as long as we have availability.
Do you do Graduation Portraits?
Yes! We do graduation portraits in Cap & Gowns at the same time we do your Spring Portraits and parents can choose Grad Scrapbook pages, Announcements and Graduation Borders that complement the special event and the culmination of your relationship with your client.
What kind of portraits do you take?
What kind don't we take?! We are a year-round photographer, offering traditional and novelty portraits in the Fall and the Spring, in addition to those cute as a button Grad pictures discussed above! In the summer you can choose from adorable novelty-themed portraits such as Beach Day, Coastline or one of our elite Composite Programs.
How much time should I schedule for each class?
It depends on the age of the children and the size of the group. Your photographer will be ready to begin photographing approximately 40 minutes after arrival. You may use the following as a general guide:
Ten-Twelve Infants: Please allow approximately 30 minutes.
Ten - Twelve Pre-Toddlers (One year to 23 months): Please allow twenty-five minutes.
Ten- Twelve Toddlers (Two / Three Years): Please allow twenty minutes.
Four Years Plus: Please allow one minute per child plus ten minutes at the end of the group to catch up due to shy or children with additional needs.
Photographers each have different strengths but this should serve as a general guide for scheduling purposes.
If my school is scheduled over two or more days How should I organize it?
Please contact our customer service department at (800) 207-8674 for customized assistance with this question.
Do my staff members get discounts on their portraits?
Yes! We know that your staff works hard to serve your children and parents and we want to acknowledge them! Our staff appreciation program allows your full time staff members to order portraits of themselves or their child(ren) at an incredible discount! They also receive free class portraits of their class! Simply indicate on the order form which orders are from your staff. Discount information will be sent with your portrait previews as a reminder about this program!
How do my parents know what to do for Picture Day?
We take care of everything for you! We send out:
- Signs to post around your school advertising the date
- Letters for your parents that they can post on their fridge giving them the date and quick facts about Picture Day
- Stickers to put on the children the day before Picture Day as an extra reminder for your busy Moms and Dads!
What do I do if I have a parent with a question?
We will take care of it all! Have them contact us at 800-207-8674 and we will be happy to assist them. We feel that great communication helps to avoid problems, so any and all questions are welcome! Please note that some information is subject to privacy laws, so our direct communication with you regarding financial information and ordering may be limited but we will do our best to give you as much information as you need to make sure that we are serving your clients well.
What are the reasons that an order may not be included with the finished portraits? If you have a parent that is missing portraits it is normally due to one of the following reasons:
- Parent forgot to indicate pose and selections
- Order was miscalculated and we need to confirm before processing
- Order submitted after deadline
- Check or Credit Card From was not signed
- Non-Sufficient Fund or Credit Card Decline awaiting resolution
- Payment was incomplete. A partial order may be sent out and the remainder is awaiting further payment
- Order unclear, awaiting verification
- Problem was cleared up but orders were already submitted for the rest of school so the portrait order is being processed and will be sent as soon as completed
Customers will sometimes become embarrassed once they realize it is an error or a financial reason that they have not received their orders. If they have made inquiries to their school staff, they may feel uncomfortable correcting the perception that it was a vendor error. We are comfortable protecting privacy and sensitive financial information and encourage school staff to keep objective in these awkward circumstances. Creative Images can only be successful if we strive to make every parent happy. Please be assured that is always our primary goal.
How should I dress my child?
This is one of the best questions to ask! How you dress your child will have extraordinary impact on your portrait quality.
Click Here to view our backgrounds or check at your school for a sample of the background. ( normally available on the posters throughout the school ) In general:
- Fall/Winter: solid earth tones with long sleeves and pants or skirts/dresses with tights work best.
- Spring: Solid light colors or simple patterns work best.
- Summer: Check with your school to find out what type of Picture Day they have scheduled. During the summer, you may even send a bathing suit for Beach Day Portraits!
Will you photograph siblings together?
Creative Images loves to provide individual and sibling ( up to 4 children) portraits whenever the schedule permits. Please check with your school to see if sibling portraits are an option.
When do I get my pictures?
Your portrait previews arrive within a week of Picture Day!
We normally allow 3-4 business days to complete your order.
Finished portraits usually arrive 2-3 weeks after we receive the orders from your school.
How do I order my portraits?
Once you receive your portrait previews, your order form will be enclosed in the order envelope.
- Review your previews and package options then simply select your poses, color options, style and photo products on the enclosed order forms.
- Enclose your payment.
- Return your order to your school by the order deadline. There are no refunds on style options so please see the flyer and proof sheet style options to be certain of your choices.
How do I order Add-ons?
- Simply select a full-priced package.
- Select any additional discount packages, add-ons or portrait products that you want.
- Please make sure to indicate the color option, style and pose on your order envelope. There are no refunds on style options so please see the flyer or proof sheet style options to be certain of your choices.
May I order additional packages of different poses and still take the discount?
Absolutely!
May my add-ons be different poses?
Yes!
May I take the discount on sibling poses?
Yes! Isn't it great?!
May I take the discount if my proofs are on two different envelopes?
Yes! Simply attach the orders together and complete one order form for both envelopes so we can be certain to apply the appropriate discounts.
Which package do I take the discount on?
If you order two different packages, you will pay full price for the highest priced package and take the discount on the less expensive package.
May I order more than one package at the discount?
Absolutely! You only pay full price for the first package. Additional packages are all discounted unless otherwise specified.
Can I use my credit card?
Yes. Simply complete the credit card section of your order form. Please take care with your addition as we must have a signature authorizing the FULL amount to be charged. If there is a discrepancy, you may need to fax an additional authorization to complete your order. We are cautious with your credit cards and want to make sure that all charges are accurate and remembered.
What happens if I receive a letter or message that you need to speak with me?
Just give us a call at 800-207-8674 and ask for the Financial Department. This is the department that processes the orders. Normally, they just need some clarification or additional information in order to process your order. The quicker you get in touch with us, the quicker we can complete your order. Please keep in mind that even when issues are clarified, your orders may be received after the rest of the school because all other orders are already being processed.
What happens if I missed the deadline?
No problem! We can accept late orders for up to 6 months after the deadline. Simply complete your order form and order envelope indicating your pose, package and color style. Then fill out the payment section including the late fee and send your order to us directly: Creative Images, Corporate HQ, 119 North Main Street, Building J, Galena, Maryland 21635 Attention: Financial Department.
Can I make copies of my portraits?
All previews, images and portraits are copyright protected so all prints must be acquired from Creative Images. However, we offer images on CD with a copyright release for purchase. You are purchasing full rights to the portrait along with all future printing potential of that image for whatever you wish to use it for.
What is the quality of the images on a CD?
Images purchased with a copyright release on a CD are the full, un-cropped color images captured. Each image is approximately a 1.8 MB JPEG, capable of making prints up to a 16X20.
Why didn't I get pictures?
If you are missing portraits it is normally due to one of the following reasons:
- Pose, color or style selections were not made
- Order was miscalculated and we need to confirm before processing
- Order submitted after deadline
- Check or Credit Card Form was not signed
- Non-Sufficient Fund or Credit Card Decline awaiting resolution
- Payment was incomplete. A partial order may be sent out and the remainder is awaiting further payment
- Order unclear, awaiting verification
- Problem was cleared up but orders were already submitted for the rest of school so the portrait order is being processed and will be sent as soon as completed
Are there retakes?
We typically visit our schools one time in the Fall and one time in the Spring or Summer, so check with your school to see when your next Picture Day is.