What exactly is a video montage?

A Video Montage, or Photo Montage, is a moving, digital video that combines the music of your choice with your photographs, slides, or even video footage. Your Video Montage is brought to life with special effects and vibrant, brilliant transitions placed in between each photo, letting you watch your memories in a way you have never seen them before. It’s customized just for you, produced digitally and then delivered to you on your choice of DVD or VHS tape.
What steps do I need to follow for preparing a video montage?

1. Photos and Memorabilia

Please number the backs of your photographs and memorabilia (birth certificate, diploma, etc.) in the order you would like them to appear in your montage. You can use post-it notes or a pencil. We also accept negatives, slides as well as digital pictures on CD or via email. Choose pictures that are candid and show character. If they are hard to see in still format, they will be harder in a video.
* Mix it up between close ups and group photos. Think about the recipients and who they would like included!
* Steer clear of out of focus or small photos.
* Do not worry about red eye or even scratched photos, we have restoration features that can enhance and correct images. If you would like us to alter the image in any way (red-eye or blemish removal, conversion to black and white, etc.) please indicate this also on the reverse side of the image
* Horizontal (landscape) shots are best. TV screens where the video will run need to crop vertical (portrait) images to fit the screen. Black borders will be set in place so vertical images won’t have to stretch to fit a screen. A few are fine but the majority should be horizontal.

2. Video Clips

We accept all video formats. Please denote all clips as specifically as possible with time counter numbers (if possible) and a description of the clip including if the sound is important to you. Also be sure to specify where to place each clip among the photos in the montage.

3. Music

Choose approximately one song for every 20-30 photos in your montage. If you cannot provide a copy of a song, please include the title and artist as we may have it in our library. Of course if you have trouble deciding on music, let us suggest the song(s) which best fit your montage.
Can I scan the pictures myself and send them to you?
Absolutely! In fact we offer a discount for pictures that are already scanned. Just scan them and burn them to a CD. However, if you are scanning the photos yourself, please remember the higher the resolution, the better your photos will look on the screen, so up to 300 pixels/inch is great. Unfortunately, less than 100 pixels/inch will result in a very grainy picture. You need to save the images as JPEGS.
My videographer can do a video montage, is that the same as you?
We suggest that you request a sample video montage from your videographer. After viewing our online samples, you'll see the difference in our video montages. We focus on making your montage one of the highlights of your occasion. We spend many, many hours color correcting your images, customizing transitions, adding graphics or copy and editing and placing the music. Much more so than your videographer.
Do you accommodate rush orders, less than 2 weeks away?
Don't worry! We accommodate "rush" orders! Any order needed in less than 10 business days is considered a "rush" order. If you need to place a "rush" order, the turn around time is approximately 5 business days from the time all your materials are received. The charge for this service is 30% of your montage price. Because each situation is different, please contact us for more information.
How do I get my pictures and tapes to you?
We can arrange a time for a pick up from you at your home or business address. Please contact us if you would like to arrange different ways of getting the materials to us. We realize how precious your pictures are and we are very flexible and open to whatever works out best. We recommend if you are mailing them to us, that you use a padded envelope or well packed package and send by certified mail, FedEx or UPS. Please be sure to include your return address and check your address VERY carefully.
What payment methods are accepted?
We accept personal checks or money orders. We ask for 50% deposit once we receive all your materials and the balance upon delivery of the completed montage.
I’m not in the area, can I still use your services?
Of course! Many of our clients live several states away! Much of our correspondence takes place online, allowing us to serve clients all over the country. We aim ship your video montage at least 7 days prior to your special occasion - giving you plenty of time to review our work before presenting the video to your friends and family! Shipping is a flat fee of just $25. This flat fee covers your entire order - no matter how many copies you need!
How will I project or show my video montage?
Projecting the presentation onto a screen large enough for your audience to see really depends on your preferences. If you are presenting your video montage at a hotel or reception hall, speak with your representative from that establishment. Several hotels have a projection system that can be rented and set up for a small fee. If you are having a DJ entertain you at your event, they generally have a projection system that they will let you use.