Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Table of Contents:
3) Why are your prices different for each photograph?
4) Why do you include a white border in your Fine Art Prints?
5) What is your cancellation and return policy?
6) What type of paper and inks do you use for your Fine Art Prints?
7) What is your suggestion for framing?
8) What are your shipping options?
1)
What makes you unique?
As an upcoming fine art photographer and photographic artist, my mission is to provide:
High quality art.
Available to all.
Excellent customer service.
I believe I deliver on that mission statement.
High quality art is created after many hours, using the best materials possible. I’ve invested a lot of time, money, and education in developing my signature style.
My art is available to all through my free digital wallpapers. Yet I also provide collectors the opportunity to own limited edition prints on select photographs. There’s something for everyone.
I add value and guarantee all work by signing my prints and cards. You know you’ve bought an authentic Brendan Alex Phoenix when you see the signature.
Excellent customer service feels more personal, communicative, and open. I listen to you. I value your feedback. And I respect your privacy.
Creating art through photography is more than a calling. I strongly believe this passion is worth sharing with as much of the world as possible.
100% designed with love, I put my whole creative energy into my work.
You deserve the best.
(What makes me an artist.)
2)
What makes you an artist?
I’m a fine art photographer or photographic artist due to my approach to photography.
Instead of taking a snapshot, photographic artists constructively compose their photographs to match their creative vision. Photography becomes a vehicle for creative self-expression.
From pre-visualization to displaying a print, fine art photography is a journey of many steps through the creative self-expression of the human imagination. An exercise in the “creative process”.
The first step begins with previsualization and planning. Next, while photographing, balance and harmony as well as emotion is incorporated into the photograph through patience, mindfulness and careful observation.
Half the creative journey occurs when photographing. The other half is when I’m back in my studio, in front of the computer, editing the photographs. I edit until the final result matches my artistic vision.
Lastly, I finish the creative process through printing. This gives life to the photographs. Changing them from the digital into the physical.
Using 100% cotton rag paper has continued to be my preferred choice for printing. There’s an elegance to cotton paper prints that I absolutely adore. A timeless look that is durable, easy to transport, and elegant.
This creative journey, from pre-visualization and photographing to printing and finally displaying the artwork is not exclusive to the artist. Art is to be shared, enjoyed, and loved. When you purchase or download art from me, you join in on the creative process.
My mission is to try and give you the best experience possible.
(Why I include a white border on all my prints.)
3)
Why are your prices different for each photograph?
General Pricing
Some photographs are more challenging to create than others.
Several factors contribute to this: Time of day, Time of year, Ease of access to the location, and Weather.
For example, a photograph taken from the side of a road during typical weather conditions during the middle of the day would be easy to create.
But go back to that same location during sunrise and it becomes a little more challenging.
Add a unique weather pattern and the challenge and skill increases further.
Now add a several mile hike and you can then begin to see how one photograph is not the same as another.
Limited Edition Pricing
A carefully curated number of my photographs are limited edition.
These limited editions are priced on availability (Ex. 1/1, 1/3, 1/5, 1/10).
The more limited they become, the greater their value.
4)
Why do you include a white border in your Fine Art Prints?
To make framing simple, easy, and fun.
Framing can feel overwhelming and burdensome. Not only did you spend time and money purchasing a print, but now you have to spend even more on framing. This is not right.
The included white border is about giving you your time and money back by reducing the costs associated with framing.
I’ll explain with a personal story:
One time, I presented my grandmother, for her 91st birthday, a custom framed print that I created from a photograph I shot of her favorite beach. I was shocked by how expansive it was! The framing cost about 15 times the price of the print. It included conservation glass, a white mat board, and a custom frame built to fit around the mat board and print. I also had to wait about two weeks for the framing to be ready. I could not believe the expense. I couldn’t sleep well. It was then and there that I made up my mind to figure out a way to frame my art affordably.
By providing a white border, my fine art prints recreate the sophisticated look of a white mat board. They also have been designed to perfectly fit popular frame sizes: 8x10, 11x14, 16x20, 20x30, and 24x36.
No need to pay for any mat boarding. No need for custom framing.
Just enjoy.
(My suggestions for framing.)
5)
What is your cancellation and
return policy?
ALL SALES ARE FINAL.
Please carefully review the items in your cart before you purchase.
All orders are made-to-order:
Once a sale is made, I then place the appropriate print order for Fine Art Prints or for Handmade Greeting Cards. This process can take several days and requires me to coordinate with 3rd party printers.
Of course in the HIGHLY UNLIKELY event your order arrives damaged due to transit in the mail, I will definitely see about making it right.
Please email me within 7 to 10 days after receiving to process a replacement.
(**You’ll be required to take photos that clearly show the damage and email them to me in order for me to process a replacement. Photos will be used as evidence of transportation damage and sent to USPS for reimbursement.)
6)
Which type of paper and inks do you use for your Fine Art Prints?
The paper, canvas, and ink used to produce my fine art prints are of archival quality. Archival quality prints are museum grade which means they are designed to naturally resist fading and discoloration when properly stored.
In addition to my choice in ink and paper, I use an artist pencil to sign paper prints and a permanent pen to sign canvas prints. Thereby continuing the timeless tradition of artists in authenticating their own work.
Paper: EPSON’s Somerset Velvet Fine Art
This paper It is made of 100% cotton rag. It is quite heavy and thick. One square yard weighs over a pound (505 g/m²). While more expensive than traditional photo paper, the quality is outstanding. I particularly enjoy the look and feel of the paper. It has a textured surface. Reminds me of watercolor paper.
Ink (Paper): Canon’s 12-Color LUCIA EX pigment ink set
Water-based pigment inks. Pigment inks sit on top of the paper and don’t ‘bleed’ as opposed to dye inks. This makes them more expensive but better able to produce fine detail. As an artist, I appreciate the ability of the ink to accurately reproduce my digital photographs.
Canvas: Aurora Textile’s Expression Semi Gloss Canvas
A sturdy poly-cotton blended canvas that comes with a semi gloss finish that is perfect for any room. Combined with a solvent ink like Epson’s UltraChrome GS3 9-color, canvas prints can be safely displayed in the bathroom. (All canvas orders are stretched over pine wood bars. 1.5” bars for Medium, Large, and Extra Large or 0.75” for Extra Small and Small sizes.)
Ink (Canvas): Epson UltraChrome GS3 9-color solvent ink
Solvent-based pigment inks. Solvent inks are oil-based and are waterproof, fade and abrasion resistant. They are great for canvas prints since canvas isn’t protected in a frame like a paper print.
[For further research]
Wilhelm Imaging Research, Inc., an American based company that conducts studies to determine the life-expectancy of photographic prints under a variety of lighting conditions, has done a print permanence test on both Canon’s 12-Color LUCIA EX pigment ink set and Epson’s UltraChrome GS3 solvent ink.
(See Canon HERE. See Epson HERE.)
7)
What is your suggestion for framing?
Framing depends on on several factors such as time, money, and longevity.
It can be an overwhelming experience.
I try to make things easier and more affordable by producing my prints in 5 of the most common sizes:
8x10
11x14
16x20
20x30
24x36
*** Larger or custom sizes available upon request.
Framing is further simplified by design. Each of my prints has a white border that enhances the photograph without the need for a mat board.
Here are my suggestions:
No Frame:
The easiest and most convenient and economical way to frame prints is to not frame them at all.
Based on research I’ve found online, each unframed print should last about 50 years for color, and over 150 years for black and white without any noticeable loss in quality if you keep the print out of direct sunlight.
I think it’s perfectly okay to display my prints without a frame and I’ve done so myself. The advantage to this method is portability and eliminating glare. But if you’re concerned about preservation, then you should consider framing.
Store-Bought Frames:
Store-bought or premade frames are readily available from a variety of businesses.
These frames either come with glass or acrylic. Sometimes a mat board is provided which you can discard since my prints are designed to be framed without one.
Store-bought frames usually are simple in design, lower quality, and are either come in black or white without many options to choose from. Best of all, they are affordable.
The same print that would last approximately 50 years unframed, will last about twice as long or 100 years if it is framed underneath glass or acrylic.
Personally, I think it’s perfectly okay to display my prints with store-bought frames. They are affordable and add additional protection to the print.
Professional Framing:
The most expensive and time consuming, but the best way to protect the longevity of your investment is to visit a professional framer.
This expensive process will allow you to choose from a greater variety of frame colors in a range of materials. You will also be given the option to frame the print under UV or museum quality glass.
Longevity under UV or museum quality glass is the highest of the three options at about 200 years. (But you still need to be mindful of sunlight and direct lighting because certain wavelengths are not filtered by UV glass. Museums ban flash photography for a reason.)
By providing my prints with a white border, you can skip the matting expense and save money at a professional framers.
Dark storage:
Finally, this fourth option isn’t associated with framing or displaying art. It’s about maximum preservation.
As long as the humidity is stable, prints stored in the dark virtually last forever.
But you didn’t buy one of my prints for that, right? Right.
I only bring this up to emphasize that light is the ‘shining’ cause behind print fading.
**(NEW) Canvas Framing:
For a more affordable option than framing your prints and for the least amount of glare, choose one of my canvas prints. Each canvas print comes with hanging hardware. All you need is a hammer! They are made using waterproof inks and can be displayed in the bathroom. Also, they are great for those that can’t stand the glare associated with framed prints.
Framing the Handmade Greeting Cards:
A real 4x6 photograph is attached to each card.
Most picture frames designed for a 4x6 photograph are actually larger (around 6x8) but contain a mat board with an opening made for a 4x6 photograph. This means you can keep the photograph on the card when framing.
There are even picture frames where you can frame multiple 4x6 photos. For example, here’s an Amazon link to a picture frame that can contain 3 4x6 photographs. Framing multiple cards is a great way to easily add art to any space.
To frame, I tape the edges of the card to the mat board in order to hold the photograph in place.
Additional considerations:
Prints fade more rapidly under direct sunlight regardless of framing methods.
(Something to consider: rooms with windows facing south will receive more direct sunlight.)
My general recommendation is to frame the print based on your personal needs and style.
If you have any questions about framing, please feel free to contact me. I’m happy to assist.
Your satisfaction is important to me.
[To learn more about print longevity, view this PDF by Wilhelm Imaging Research.]
Copy and paste: http://www.wilhelm-research.com/canon/WIR_Canon6100_2009_06_15.pdf
8)
What are your shipping options?
ALL ORDERS ARE MADE-TO-ORDER
This means it takes about 1 week for me to prepare your order.
Processing times can be longer if I am photographing somewhere.
Prints:
The print company I use packages and ships prints via USPS. It takes about 1-2 week to prepare a print order. (Add a week when ordering a framed print or canvas.)
A tracking number will be provided.
Domestic: It can take 2 to 3 weeks to receive your order from the time of purchase.
International: It can take up to 6 weeks to receive your order from the time of purchase.
(Add a week when ordering a framed print or canvas.)
Cards:
It takes me about 1 week to prepare your cards for shipment. (I have to order the photographs to make the cards.)
In order to provide the best service possible, I’m shipping all cards via USPS Priority Mail.
A tracking number will be provided.
Whenever possible I will combine print and card orders in the same packaging.
Cards can be produced faster than prints. Both take about 1 week to complete, but prints may take longer.
If you would like me to rush an order, the fee is $15.00. (Please immediately contact me via email for a separate invoice after placing your order.) brendan@brendanalexphoenix.com
The shipping fee is the same for both prints and cards.
Domestic:
$9.95
International:
Contact for a custom quote.
brendan@brendanalexphoenix.com
PLEASE NOTE:
In the highly unlikely event you do receive a damaged order, please take photos of the damage and contact me within 7-10 days after receiving your order so I can process a replacement. See my return policy for more details.
9)
How do you make your prints?
Both my fine art prints, canvas prints, and my handmade greeting cards use the best materials available.
Fine Art Prints:
I outsource all my Fine Art Prints through a local company in Portland, Oregon that I’ve developed a working relationship with.They provide outstanding service to artists and use the best materials available.
Each fine art print is produced on museum grade archival paper: EPSON’s Somerset Velvet Fine Art 100% cotton rag paper.
The ink is pigment-based. Archival and of high quality: Canon’s 12-color LUCIA Ex pigment based archival inks.
The printer is a professional photo and fine art inkjet printer: Canon imagePROGRAF IPF8400.
When signing my prints, I use an artist pencil to ensure the best signature possible.
Please Note: If you would like me to sign the back of the print, please contact me after placing your order.
Canvas Prints:
Just as with my Fine Art Prints, I use the same local company in Portland, Oregon to produce each canvas print.
The canvas is a semi-gloss that’s a 65% polyester / 35% cotton blend: Aurora Expressions Semi Gloss Canvas
The printer and inks are designed by EPSON: EPSON SureColor S80600 Printer
When adding my signature to the front of canvas prints, I use a Sigma Pen-touch in either gold, silver, or copper depending on the photograph. (Canvas prints are always hand-signed in the bottom right corner.)
Handmade Greeting Cards:
Each handmade card comes with a real 4x6 photograph that I apply to the front of the card.
I use a matte finish for the prints in order to resist fingerprinting. Prints are also water resistant.
These photographic prints are developed on Fujifilm Crystal Archive photo paper from an online photo-lab that I have a membership with. Fujifilm Crystal Archive is a traditional silver halide emulsion photo paper that is as timeless as photography itself.
When signing my cards, I use a number five Sakura Pigma Micron archival ink pen.
(Learn more about the paper and inks in my fine art prints.)
[Return to Table]
10)
Do you offer discount pricing for multiple Cards?
Yes!
When you order 20 or more cards you are eligible for a 15% discount*.
Please use code “CARDS15” at checkout.
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