What about Studio Prints

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Studio Prints
Bring a Sample with You
Be a Part of Choosing the Background!
Stay Together
Copyrights

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Studio Prints

Studio Prints like Olan Mills or even Walmart can be a very good or a very difficult and disappointing experience. The advantage is that you can often come out with a good picture of you and your family members with a good consistent background. The disadvantages are that the studio photographers are often not used to taking pictures for Prayer Cards and will often need some specific instructions about your needs. Some studios photographers, especially at the budget places, often have little training in photography at all, and will need even more specific instructions. So… if you want to use a studio for your photo, go in prepared.

Bring a Sample with You

Print out one of the samples from our site or any other card you have from another missionary friend. Explain to the photographer that you do not want the standard zoom which he/she is likely used to doing. Ask him/her rather to back up and provide a lot of background around your family on which the text can eventually be added. You may need to call ahead to make sure the photographer is willing to work with you.

Be a Part of Choosing the Background!

The photographer usually either uses a standard background, or chooses one to match your family's clothing. Though this is essentially a good thing, make sure that the background is either very light, very dark, or one that will support a strong contrasting color. Beware of backgrounds that have many different colors, especially picture backgrounds, where lights and darks are scattered. These variations will make the text and graphics on your prayer card difficult to see or read. Also be aware of the lighting for the same reasons (either too light or too dark). Also, if the background is a dark one, make sure there is a small bulb directly behind the people so that dark clothing or dark hair does no melt away into the background (see also "What is a good background for my photo".).

Stay Together

Do not let an amateur photographer at a studio spread your family out too much. Keep the distances between each face relatively consistent, and do not let one member of the family tower over the others. Also make sure the distances between the camera and each face is about the same, i.e. that one person is not farther away from or closer to the camera than the others. This will ensure that the focus and lighting on each face is even. The closer together your family is (without crowding or bunching up) the more we can zoom in on you while still having room for text and graphics around you.

Copyrights

Most Studio and department store photos are copyright protected, though not all studios insist that you use a copyright release. You should check with your studio to know their policies. Olan Mills will give you a copyright release to have us copy their photos: call them at 1-800-251-6320 and request it. You should also be able to request a release form at most department store photo sessions to send us with your order.