Everyone has a story worth telling.

Here are some of the questions we answer most often.  If you have other questions, give us a call or drop us a line - we'd be happy to chat about your project.  Phone:  (301) 916-6017 or info@imagesandlegacies.com

Why hire a professional?

How long will my project take?

What happens to my original materials?

Do you use those fancy video effects?

Should I put my project on VHS or DVD?

Will the DVD work in my DVD player?

Why Hire A Professional?

1.  The job will actually be done, and it will be done well.  These projects are labor intensive and require a great deal of time to do right.  At Images & Legacies, this is our full time job, so we can devote time to your project when we're fresh.  We're not trying to squeeze it in after the end of a long work day.  We also take the time to adjust each photo and video clip to ensure the best quality.  We analyze each item and enhance the color, brightness, tint, contrast and speed as necessary.

2.  Professional Equipment.  While many computers now come with software that lets you slap music behind images, we work with professional-grade equipment.  We use a variety of professional-grade packages to ensure we have the best for each element of the process.  In addition to our editing equipment, we also have  top-quality equipment for: scanning images, converting video formats, retouching photos, creating custom- opens and titles, audio and video processing, designing and building DVD menus, and producing the final VHS and DVD copy.

3.  Professional Experience:  We bring experience and an artistic stylethat only comes with more than 20 years of experience in the industry. 

It’s a little like framing a picture.  Technically, we could all do these projects ourselves.  But do we?  No, and for good reason.  We’d have to invest not only in the materials for the frame itself, but in the equipment to cut, measure and mat it appropriately.  Then we’d have to figure out exactly how to do it well.  And, of course, you’d have to invest the time.  In the end, assuming you measure carefully, cut precisely and use the right materials to start with you’d probably come out with a decent frame.  But would it be as nice as something created by a craftsman who makes it his life’s work to frame art? 

How Long Will My Project Take?

Projects are produced by appointment.  Once you've gathered your materials, give us a call to schedule your project.

Please allow 3 to 5 weeks to complete your project after we’ve received your work order and materials.  Rush service is available for memorial projects or other emergencies, but additional fees may apply.

What Happens To My Original Materials?

We work with copies of your materials.  Your photos, videos and mementoes are left in their original state and are returned to you when we ship your finished project.

What If I can’t part with my photos while you work on my project?

We understand your mementoes are important to you and we'll do everything in our power to protect them once they arrive in our studios.  As soon as we begin work on your project, we make copies of your materials, which we store until your final project reaches you.

However, we can’t be responsible for the items while in transit, for acts of nature or other disasters. Therefore, you are encouraged to make copies of your material and send us the copies.

Use a reliable shipper that offers package tracking.

Do You Do Those Fancy Video Effects?

Yes, and if there’s a particular effect you’d like to see, let us know.  We have start-of-the-art equipment with hundreds of transitions and effects including zoom, pan, several different page turns, and just about any other video effect you’ve seen - and a few you haven’t.

We do use effects, but only when they enhance the video.  If you've seen video that was spinning, flipping, and twirling around after every image, it was probably done by an amateur or someone with stock in Dramamine.  Fancy transitions are great, but too much of a good thing becomes dizzying and shifts the focus from the subject of the video to the technology behind it. The finished video should be about you - not about how cool our equipment is.   

There’s a big difference between a moving video and a video that just moves all over the place. 

Should I Put My Project On VHS Or DVD?

If your project is one you want to keep over time, we recommend DVD.  If it’s a one hit wonder, go with VHS.  The tapes are a good, economical option for projects that will only be viewed once or twice in the near future.

For long-term storage or projects that you want to look at over and over again, go with DVD.  VHS tapes degrade over time and quality fades every time you play the tape back. 

Even in the here and now, DVD’s have an advantage.  You can include more material and jump from chapter to chapter without rewinding.

DVD's do cost more because there is more work involved in designing the menu and chapter points.

Will The DVD Work In My DVD Player?

If ordered on DVD, your project will be burned on a DVD-R disk, a format compatible with most DVD players.  We use only high-quality, brand-name media.  HOWEVER, there is no single format or brand that is compatible with all DVD players.  So, before you order, please check the specific requirements of your DVD player.  Images & Legacies can not issue refunds if a disk is found to be incompatible with your player.

The web site run by Video Help lists feedback from some users on which DVD players handle which DVDs.  While we have found the web site useful, it is not run by Images & Legacies, and we can't be held accountable for it's accuracy.