FAQ >>>

• What is Thoen & Associates Advertising Photography, Inc.?

It is a Minneapolis Minnesota based Commercial Advertising Photography studio. Greg and Jeff together, bring many years of diversity and experience, expertise and problem solving abilities. This enables them to be a great and dependable choice for providing images for Advertising, Architecture, Automotive, Corporate, Food, High Dynamic Range, Industrial, Medical, People, Product, and 360 Product.

• What is their photography style?

With 20+ years of first hand experience they get requests for a myriad of different types, styles, and approaches of photography for just about as many different uses / needs. Greg states “Our style, like our abilities is fluid, flexible; ready to conform to the needs of you - our client. Our work is clean, crisp, using color, composition, lighting and texture, to enhance the subject or convey an emotion”.

• Do they shoot on location?

Yes; while they maintain a state of art digital photo studio in Minneapolis, their diverse client base requires them to also be equipped with a broad range of location lighting, grip, and assorted other equipment to shoot where every the need arises. Be it a factory, foundry, executive office, store interior, or clean room; Greg and Jeff have the experience and diversity you can depend on.

• Do they travel out of state?

Absolutely... they are fully equipped to handle any location photography challenge; many of their trusted clients have sent them across the United States to get the job done verses risking the unknown in the area.

• What about CMYK conversions?

Good question. All master files are supplied as RGB files (see “what format will the files be in?” in the FAQ). Having the expertise along with calibrated and profiled systems, enables them to make high quality CMKY conversions for you. Note there’s no magic “convert” button. Good - high quality CMYK conversions are both art and science. You will need to supply some of the output specs from your printer; the more information obtained about the printing, the higher the quality of CMYK conversions. The first three are must have info: Press > web or sheet fed, Paper stock > coated or uncoated , total ink limit. The following are preferred: press icc profile, GCR vs UCR, dot gain, black generation. See the Color Calibration - CMYK & Web Conversion page.

• Do you provide Raw files?

A Raw file is simply a digital version of what an unprocessed negative or transparency was in the “good O’L film days”. Back then they’d never shoot an assignment and then give the client a handful of unprocessed film and say “here ya’ go”. Today there is too much that can go wrong with the raw file in less experienced hands. Jeff insures their digital systems are regularly calibrated and icc profiled; achieving critical color matching between the profiled monitors and proofing systems. Each Raw file goes thru a customized process to bring out the maximum quality, sharpness, detail, color, and contrast. Highlight and shadow values are pinned, gamma is balanced along with color and saturation values. The proper color space is embedded and creative enhancements applied. This work is done in 16 bit mode, and then resampled for the 8 bit output. You are provided the final quality digital files in the format you requested. If needed the files can be supplied in 16 bit.

• Do you maintain a Back Up of my files?

Your files will be archived for one year from the date of the photo shoot. It’s strongly recommend that you adequately back up the master files provided to you. (note - all work is archived for an indefinite amount of time, it’s availability is possible for an extended period; but not guaranteed ).

• What format will the files be in?

All files are supplied as hi-resolution uncompressed files in the Adobe’98 RGB color space. If requested, the files can be converted to sRGB (for web or email use), or sized as needed. The files can be in any format you choose; ie: tiff, psd, layered tiff, pdf, eps, jpeg, or png.

• How will I get my files, CD / DVD, other options?

There are several options available depending on your needs. All files will be burned to a CD or DVD (depending on space required) and if not hand delivered, then mailed, couriered, or picked up. Additionally files can be emailed (size limited by your email provider), downloaded from Thoen & Associates ftp server, uploaded to your ftp server, or uploaded to the cloud with a private link so you can download them from where ever you are.

• What if I can’t be there for the photo shoot?

Not a problem...Greg & Jeff work “remotely” with many of their clients. This often starts out of necessity (you can’t be at the shoot), but as a result of building trust and dependability, it soon becomes a asset for many clients. Information is the key to making this work. A preproduction meeting or conference call, along with layouts are a good start. As the shoot progresses you will be emailed low res files for input and direction. You will get to sign off on the final shot before they move on; all from the comforts of your office or home or even vacation spot if your that dedicated!

• Who is Greg Thoen and Jeff Natrop?

Inquiring minds want to know.... See their About Us and History pages for all the details.

• How much does photography cost?

Compared to others, nowhere near what the competition charges. Thoen & Associates offers very competitive fees based on what you want to end up with and how you're planning on using it. Greg can and will work within your budget. With the studio setup and 20+ years of experience, there's not much they have to go outside for. With a large selection of props, backgrounds and in-house post-production, digital retouching and enhancement; they have complete control over the project quality and costs.

Greg has stated; ”We believe our success is measured by the degree to which we satisfy our clients and contribute to their success. Our goal is to insure that your investment pays off big time!”

• Is there an agency or volume discount on services?

In a word - Yes... Thoen & Associates have worked on many large catalog projects, on-going campaigns, or large single programs. Their loyal, repeat clients are valued.

• When is payment due?

A 2% discount is offered if paid within ten days from invoice date and net 30 days on all established accounts.  New accounts are requested 50% down - balance 30 days.

• How does Thoen & Associates out perform the competition?

> Experience:  They are not start up company, or working out of a garage. Take the Studio Tour. They have a large base of long time, trusted clients. You can count on them to be your one stop - go to studio for any and all of your photo related needs. References can be provided.

> Diverse Abilities:  Advertising, Architecture, Automotive, Corporate, Food, HDR, Industrial, Medical, People, Product, and 360 Product. This is achieved thru years of experience, trouble shooting, solving challenges, studying trends, keeping abreast of new equipment and techniques...succeeding.

> Details, Details, Details: Can’t stress this enough. Thoen & Associates does their homework before every project. What colors works best for the age group targeted? Is there a difference in an East Coast Clam Bake compared to a West Coast? Asking the right questions before proceeding insures the best results.

Someone can claim to be the best, but the proof is in the details. If an item got broken due to carelessness; a hair on product didn’t

get retouched out; a typo shipped the CD to the wrong address; some of the product didn’t get returned because it was sitting under a

table; or any number of examples... you won’t be a happy camper....

therefore they pledge their signature...

1. •Every project is the most important project • Every client is the most important client • Every promise made is a promise kept.
   

> HDR Photography:  What’s HDR? High Dynamic Range. This tool in the hands of a skilled artist can achieve an incredible range of detail, contrast, and color which was previously unobtainable using the now “traditional” digital tools.

> 360 Product Photography: They thrive on photographic challenges. Need 360 product photography? Give ‘em a spin. Enough said.

> Speed of delivery: Clients have received photos in hours, or the next day, not in weeks. But they will never sacrifice quality for speed; they’ll just work harder or later. You can’t find that kind of service anywhere else.

> Competitive pricing:  They produce exceptional visual images using both high / low tech gear. Thru understanding of light, composition and rigging, coupled with drive and enthusiasm; they strive to find the simplest, most efficient solution for any situation.

All these factors allow for very competitive pricing.

> WYSIWYG:  Greg, Jeff and Kim will always be who you deal with from beginning to end. Sure they hire freelance stylists and support people as needed for specific projects; but even then, their key freelancers have worked side by side with Greg & Jeff, many times prior. Never a new face.