Once you have selected the pictures you want to send to us, you need to get them into a digital format that can be sent over the Internet. You may also send hard copies of your pictures to us through the mail, and we will convert those pictures into digital images for an additional fee.

You can get your pictures in a digital format in a number of ways. 

With a Digital Camera

If you used a digital camera to take the pictures, you simply need to transfer the image from your camera or your camera's memory disk to an area on your computer that is accessible while you are on the Internet.

  • After taking the pictures, remove the disk or memory card from your camera and follow the instructions that came with your camera to upload those images onto your computer. In most cases, your camera will have a memory or PCI card that is inserted into a special drive or other hardware device that is connected to your computer.

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  • Give the image a name you will be able to recognize when you begin browsing for images to upload during our request process. Save the image to a location on your harddrive that can be accessed while you are on the Internet.

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  • Use the software that came with your digital camera or other graphics software available to you to resize the image. The optimum size of the image is approximately 300 x 500 pixels with a resolution of 72 DPI. If you are not famliar with the process of resizing and reformating an image,  consult your software instructions or the help section of the program. Use index words such as "resizing" or "image size."

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  • Use the software to convert your images to either a jpg or gif format. It is possible that your camera saves your images in one of these two formats, in which case, you would just need to give the images a name you will be able to find on your harddrive during the upload process.
35 mm Camera

If you used a 35mm camera and now have 4"x6" or smaller photographs, you will need to scan your photos with a scanner and save them in either a jpg or gif format.

  • To scan a picture, you must first turn on the scanner and make sure the computer is seeing the scanner hardware. Search for the scanner icon on your computer's desktop. If you cannot find the appropriate icon, consult the instructions from your scanner.

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  • Once you have determined the scanner is working, place the photograph on the scanner bed and close the lid. On your computer screen select the preview option in the scanner menu. You should be able to see a thumbnail of the image. Adjust the size and brightness of the image as necessary. Consult your software instructions for specific instructions on changing the image before it is scanned.

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  • Once you have the image as you would like to send it, select scan. The image should open in a graphic program on your computer. After checking the size and composition of your image, make any necessary adjustments following the instructions with your particular software program and then select "File" and then "Save As." You should be given the option to save the image in several different formats. Be sure to select jpg or gif.

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  • Make sure you save the images to a place on your computer that you will be able to find and that is accessible while you are on the Internet.

If you do not have access to a scanner, many national stores now offer photography services that include scanning pictures and converting them to digital images for a fee. Once your image is in a digital format, you can upload the images to us. Alternatively, if you would like to send us a hard copy of your image, for an additional fee, we will scan your pictures, manipulate them, and then upload those images to a secure area of our site for you to view.

Again, it is important to emphasize the images should be sized to no larger than 4" x 6" and should feature the part of your body or face that you would like to see changed at the center of the image. 

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