Send us your photos

Good way - you scan and email. That way your photo never has to be out of your possession. See scanning guidelines below.

Best way - send the originals using the mail service of your choice. We recommend using a box rather than an envelope because all the PHOTO - DO NOT BEND in the world written on the outside will not prevent an envelope from being bent. Please insure for an appropriate value. We recommend putting the photos in a plastic bag and then packing carefully.

We will return your original along with your new print and disk via the same method and cost. The cost will be added to your invoice.

Scanning presents no risk of further damage to your originals. All work is done to the digital file created by the scanner.

Scanning guidelines:

Clean the scanner glass.

Dust off your photo with a soft brush or cloth as long as no further damage will result.

Scan at 600 dpi minimum.

Scan at the highest bit depth available.

Scan in color even if your photo is black and white.

Square up the photo along an edge.

Save as a tiff or a jpeg (jpg) at highest quality or as a png file.

Photos stuck to glass:

If you have a photo that is stuck to glass do not try to remove it. It is best to mail the stuck picture to us as scanning is very tricky to reduce glare from the glass. We usually employ a copy stand to photograph the stuck picture.

Slides, negatives, and glass plate negatives:

We prefer to scan these ourselves as home scanners usually don't have the resolution to capture all the details.

Heavily textured photos:

Please email for detailed instructions.

Photos torn to pieces:

If your original is in pieces do not tape the pieces together. If it is already taped do not remove the tape. Arrange the pieces on the scanner platen like a puzzle, close with no overlaps, and scan it all at one time.

Very small photos:

If your original is very small, 2" or less, scan at 1200 dpi.

Your local office supply store can make scans too.

Email your file to availablelightstudio@yahoo.com

Files too large for email. Please burn them on a disk or copy to a flash drive and send it to us in the mail.

These items will be returned with your new print and disk.

Please email any questions to availablelightstudio@yahoo.com