>Savvy Style Montages are available in packages up to 100 Photos. Please continue below for more information about your Montage! :)


1. Montage Layout

• Let's Begin! How would you like your Montage layout to unfold?  

 

- Chronological Order: Your Montage showcases photos in order from infant to current age.

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- Category Order: Your Montage is designed using different categories, with each category relating to the same subject, such as Guest of Honor alone, Siblings, Main Family, Extended Family, Friends, Sports, Vacations, Camp, School, etc. Photos within each Category can be shown in chronological order or sometimes photos can be shown in random order within the Category.
 

• For a Category of the Guest of Honor alone, it is recommended to showcase these photos in Chronological order, so there is a natural progression of age throughout the years. The Guest of Honor alone photos can all be shown at the beginning of the Montage and a single photo (or 2-3 photos alone) can then be shown at the closing of the Montage. A video transition will lead into the ending photo of Guest of Honor alone to signal the closing of the Montage and a transition from the last Category.

 

• Or the beginning Guest of Honor alone photos can be shown through a certain age and then the closing category can show the rest of the Guest of Honor alone photos to the present day.

 

- Random Order: Your Montage showcases photos in no particular sequential order. 

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2. Montage Reference Email

• The 'Montage Reference Email' sent to you will have information on a time frame to send in your montage items, a list of song selections and information on links to visit so you have all the information you need for your montage.
   

• The email also shows the photo amount we went over. Please refer to this photo amount and please do not go over this amount of pictures, as the design schedule is based upon the photo amount discussed. Thank You. 😊
   

• Please use this email as a reference and anytime you would like to go over anything, please email or call. :) (montage@marvelousmontages.com, 732-431-4391 in NJ).

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3. Photo Amount and Montage Time Length

• How many photos would you like in your Montage? Each Montage is designed to keep the flow and pacing of your video moving along to keep you engaged from beginning to end with seeing your pictures play out in an awesome Montage! Montage packages begin at 50 Photos and can include any amount between 50-100 Photos and also more than 100 Photos. Please visit this link to view more information about Montage Packages and Pricing.
   

• If you would like your Montage an approx. time length, please let Marlene know. :) Montage time length depends on the amount of Montage photos, the tempo of your Montage songs, if any videos are included and the Montage layout. The following are approx. time lengths. Your Montage may be shorter or longer depending on the variables previously listed.

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- 50 Photo Savvy Style is approx. 5-6 Minutes.

- 75 Photo Savvy Style is approx. 6-7 Minutes.

-100 Photo Savvy Style is approx. 7-8 Minutes. 

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• Your Montage is emailed to you as a .mp4 digital file. Please double check that your Montage can be played at your Event with a .mp4 digital file or if a different file type and/or certain specifications are needed. Please let Marlene know if something different is required at your earliest convenience, so the Montage file will be created the way needed for your Event.
   

• Please also find out by what date the person playing your Montage needs the digital file for them to test your Montage before the Big Day and contact Marlene with the 'Need By' date. 

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4. Choose your Photos! General & Technical Info

General Information

• When looking through your photos, choose pictures that are meaningful to you and also ones that will help tell the story of your Montage - pictures with an activity, a cool location, a special occasion, Birthdays, Holidays, important people in your life, etc. A good variety of photos keeps your Montage fun and exciting to watch! :) 

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• A suggestion is to write down the names of Main and Extended Family Members, Family Friends, School Friends, Camp Friends, Sports/Activity Friends, etc. that you would like to include a photo of with the Guest of Honor (a good idea is to look over your Guest list for names). When you have a picture(s) for that person, place a check next to the name to make sure they are represented in your Montage. From time to time a Montage Family will contact me after their photos have been sent in and say they didn't realize there isn't a picture of the Uncle in the Montage or Grandma with the Guest of Honor as a baby, etc., so please double check everyone you would like is represented. :)

 

• Some Families choose photos that show a balance of both sides of the Extended Family. If you would like, you can also check that Mom/Dad, extended Family have photos with the Guest of Honor when they are infants/very young and there is a good balance of these special people in those early photos. 

 

• If there are (2 or 3 or 4) photos that you would like to be placed on screen together, please let Marvelous Montages know by making note of in the filename - ex. 021-on-screen-with-022, 022-on-screen-with-021. Marvelous Montages may place 2/3/4 photos on screen at once during your montage, but if there are photos you would like on screen together at the same time, please note in the filename.

 

• Marvelous Montages displays your photos so the most important parts of the image are showcased. (Ex. if people are to one side of the picture and the background is a general/dark background/has random people, the photo will be cropped so the Guest of Honor/Family/Friends in your picture are the main focus). If you would like a few photos cropped a certain way, please indicate in the filename. If you would like to keep a photo full length, please also indicate in the filename. Ex. 032-Crop-Out-Person-Blue-Shirt, Ex. 054-Keep-Full-Length.
   

• If there is a detail about a photo that may be useful to the design of that picture, this also can be noted in the filename, such as: specific location/place/city/country, birthday age being celebrated, dressed in specific costume, school/activity event, etc. Or an email can be sent with specific information on some photos. 

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• ***For the last photo in the Montage, please choose a photograph of the Guest(s) of Honor alone. This makes for a nice closing to the video.***
   

Technical Information

• If you would like a recommendation on computer software that can help in organizing and renumbering your photo filenames, please click here to view information from this Marvelous Montages web page. 
   

• When selecting photos, try to stay away from ones that are blurry, very light or very dark or that cut off people in the photo. You want your photos to shine on screen!, - I will fix red-eye, exposure and minor dust and scratches - and having a great foundation of good quality photos will help them look their best! If photos are sent in that may not be the best quality, but you definitely would like to include, I will do my best to make the photo look "Marvelous" in your Montage. :) To preserve the quality, the photo may be designed smaller on screen or with another photo(s).
   

• If any of the photos you are considering show a file name ending in .HEIC or are 'moving/live pictures', please visit this free website to convert those photos to a .jpg. The website deletes your photos after 2 hours. Information on how to use is in the middle of the page. Please use the .jpg version of your converted photo in your montage. Copy and paste this website into browser to visit: https://www.freeconvert.com/heic-to-jpg
   

• With digital pictures, it usually works out best to have a file size that is at least 1000 pixels in both height/width so the photo will show up clearly on screen. When you select a picture on your computer, the file size information may be displayed on the bottom of the screen or you can usually right click on your photo, click properties and see the pixel dimensions. Photos under 1000 pixels in height/width may not show up as crystal clear as larger size photos, especially photos that are 360x240 in size, and will be designed in a way that best preserves their quality on screen. They may be shown smaller on screen or be placed on screen with another photo(s).  
   

• When emailing photos from your phone to your computer, please send images as the 'original file size' so the highest quality size can be used for your Montage. 

 

Additional Photo Information

• When sending in your finalized Montage photos, these will be used for your final photos. If any finalized pictures are small in file size, blurry, cut off, etc., you acknowledge that you know the quality of the pictures and this is how they may look in your Montage and approve of their use. Marvelous Montages will do the best to make your pictures shine!, but the quality of the original image may be how it is presented in your Montage.

 

• Please double check your photos and that these are the finalized pictures you would like in your Montage. I understand that from time to time there may need to be a modification in the photos sent in. Since the design of your Montage begins after your Montage items are received and your photos are coordinated with your music, if there are any additions, deletions or changes to the final photos, requested by you after your items are sent in, please contact to discuss and go over additional fee.
   

• If after your Montage items are received, a photo needs to be changed or deleted, a replacement will be needed in the same place. An added photo will need to replace a current photo or share screen with a current photo - please contact to discuss. :) 

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5. Numbering Photos: General & Category Information
General Information for all Montage layouts

• When your photos are finalized and in order, it's time to renumber them in chronological numerical order. Even though the pictures are in the order you would like on your computer, if they are not renumbered in the filename in chronological order, when they are downloaded by Marvelous Montages, they will not be in the order you placed them in. To keep your photo order the way you would like, please renumber the filename - please read the information below. 

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• To help keep your pictures in sequence when they are received, please rename the filename of your photos in numerical order beginning with 001, 002, 003, etc., before the 'dot' file type - .jpg/.jpeg/.png. The new filename would be 001.jpg, as an example. You may have a program that can batch rename all of your photos at once, like in the program mentioned here on this Marvelous Montages webpage. Or you can manually rename the file - depending on your computer, right click on a photograph and a menu will appear with an option to rename the image file.
   

• Sometimes while numbering your photos, you may realize a picture needs to be in between photos that are already numbered. The filename for the in between photo can be labeled A, B, etc. Ex.: 042, 042A, 043... 
   

Category Information

• With Category Montages, please number each photo filename the number it will be consecutively in the Montage. (Not starting each new section with Number 001).
   

• To easily identify the beginning of a new Category, please add to the photo number the name of the Category - Ex.: 026-Start-Sports-Section.
   

• Sometimes Families like to have a Title Screen before the start of a new Category and sometimes Families choose not to have a Title Screen. If you would like a Title Screen, there will be a place on the Montage form to write the Title Screen text and the photo number it will appear before - Ex. Third Title: Friends, before Photo 43. The fee for each Title Screen is $6.00 each. 

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• Some examples of Title Screen texts: "Friends", "Family", "Vacations", etc. or maybe "We are Family", "Sports All-Star", "Our Travels", etc.

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6. Event Logo/Invitation​

• Please include your Event invitation, and if there is an Event Logo, with your Montage items. The logo may be used in the Montage if requested or the logo/invitation may be used as inspiration for your Montage. 
   

• Please send the logo as a high resolution .png/.pdf file, that has a transparent background. 
   

• If your logo includes text, please also provide the name(s) of the font(s) if possible. 

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7. Hardcopy Photos: Scanning on your own
Scanning on your own photos - scanner, smartphone, or local place

• If you are scanning in photos, please make sure your scanner is set for 100% photo size, 300dpi and saved as a .jpg format. Please also make sure that the scanned image includes just your photo and does not include the whole area of the scanner with just the photo in a small corner.
   

• It is also a good idea to use a microfiber cloth to wipe the surface of each photo and also to wipe the glass of your scanner to take away dust or particles.
   

• Please also have the photo scan "as is" and do not have "descreening" or another type of image modification for the photo. I will clean up minor dust & scratches, image exposure, etc. and it is best to have the original image if modifications are needed.
   

• There are also free scanner apps for smartphones that may be helpful if a scanner is not available. (Please do not take photos of your photos as they can show up a bit blurry, look a bit skewed, show reflection or can be partially dark because of the shadow of the camera when taking the picture).
   

• You can also look for a local place that can scan photos for you onto a CD/DVD (this way you can then copy the CD/DVD onto your computer so you have the digital file of the photo). Please ask that they use a microfiber cloth to wipe the surface of your photos and the scanner too.

 

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8. Music Selection: Song files/lyrics & General Info

Song files/lyrics

• ​When thinking of songs, please first double check that you have the song file or you can purchase the song file and send with your photos or that Marvelous Montages has the song file. If Marvelous Montages does not have the song you would like, please provide the songs and send in with your Montage items. If you would like assistance with your songs, please let me know. :)
   

• Sometimes songs are not available to purchase, or there is not a "clean" verison of the song (Marvelous Montages cannot edit out words in songs), so please double check first that the song is available and you can purchase and send in if not available through Marvelous Montages. For a list of songs used in various montages by Marvelous Montages, please view the music list attached to your 'Montage Reference Email'.

 

• Music cannot be accepted as links through Youtube, similar sites or from an Apple iTunes Playlist. Please also do not download the song from Youtube or similar sites, as the song quality tends to be muddled and not clear. The actual song needs to be sent, as a .mp3 or .mp4 unprotected song file.
   

• Please look up online the lyrics to each song and double check that there is not language used that may be inappropriate. Marvelous Montages uses each song as is and cannot edit out words. When sending in songs, you are approving the words in these songs and if there is any "colorful" :D language, you are aware of the words and approve of having those words in your Montage. 

 

• If you are using a song that is not in English, please provide 2 or 3 specific times and words at those times that would be appropriate to fade out the song, at approx. 1 minute, 1 1/2 minutes and 2 minutes. 

General Music Information

• For your Music, choose songs that are meaningful to you and that represent your photographs. Some people like starting off with a slower song, but some people choose a song that is a bit more upbeat - it's all your preference!

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• Most of the time, only part of the song will be used in the Montage.

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• A good suggestion is to listen to your song selections in the order you would like them in the Montage. Double check that the flow of the songs isn't too slow, the pacing is good and the lyrics are appropriate.

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• For the last song in the Montage, I would suggest a song that has a good tempo and energy, as that really adds to the closing of the video. 

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• In a Chronological or Random layout montage: For a 50 Photo Montage, please choose 3 songs. For a 75 Photo Montage, please choose 4 songs. For a 100 Photo Montage, 4 or 5 songs can be chosen. For Montages with more than 100 photos, please contact Marlene with your photo quantity number and she will suggest the number of songs. There will also be a place on the Montage form to write the Music information. 
   

• In a Category layout montage: one song can be chosen per Category or one song can play over two or more Categories. If one Category has around 35-40 photos, I would suggest 2 songs for that one category. There will also be a place on the Montage form to write the Music information. 
  
   

9. Home Video Clip Information & Video Form

• Please send home video clips in .mp4, .mov, .avi, or .mts digital format. 

 

• Home video clips that are small in pixel dimensions (under 1000 pixels in both width/height) and/or may be a bit grainy/blurry/not as clear, may appear that way in your Montage and also may be shown a bit smaller on screen to preserve the quality. 

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• Very important :) - If you are recording a video clip for the Montage or are editing a longer piece down to the portion you would like, it is helpful to leave approx. 5-10 seconds before and after to allow time for a transition into and out of the clip. The specific part of the video you would like to use can be noted in the video form located below.

 

• Each 30 seconds of a video clip counts as 1 video clip. Ex.-If the video clip is 50 seconds, it will count as 2 video clips.

 

• Video Clips that do not use the video clip audio are $10 each. Video Clips that do use the video clip audio are $15 each. 

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• Please name the video clip with 'Video' at the beginning of the filename, where it will be located in the Montage and whether or not the video's audio is to be used in the Montage - Ex.: Video-Football-After#045-NoAudio (or UseAudio).
   

• Please fill out the video form for your video clip(s) so the specific information will be used for each clip: Click here to fill out video form.

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10. Montage Opening and Closing Screens

• The Opening Screen is the Introduction to your Montage! If you have a Party Logo, the Logo can be placed here. Or you may like the Guest of Honor's name solo or Name's Bar/Bat Mitzvah or Name's Montage, etc. 

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• The Closing screen signals the finish to your great Montage! The Logo can also conclude the Montage. Or you may like to write some text such as: Mazel Tov! or Congratulations! or We Love You!, etc. 

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• Opening and Closing screens similar to above are included in your Montage. For a Specialty Opening/Closing, please contact Marlene to discuss. 
   

• There will be a place on the Montage form to fill in information for your Montage Opening and Closing Screens.

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11. Fill out Montage Form & Send in Montage Items!
Filling out the Montage form 

• Congratulations - You are ready to fill out the montage form and send in your Montage items! A suggestion is to take a respite :) from your Montage and revisit in a few hours or day or two, to go over things again and make sure all is good.

 

• Then, before you are ready to fill out the montage form and send in your Montage items, please double check that you have all the photos you would like to include, all the people you would like to include are in your photos (check your guest list for Family and Friends that will be attending), the filenames of your photos are numbered in order and any music, video or logo that needs to be sent in is ready.

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• When you are ready to send in your Montage items, please double check that you have all the photos you would like to include, all the people you would like to include are in your photos (check your guest list for Family and Friends that will be attending), the filenames of your photos are numbered in order and any music, video or logo that needs to be sent in is ready. No, I did not repeat this accidentally :D. Just a friendly reminder to double check things, especially that you did not forget any Family or Friends that will be attending and should have a photo in your Montage and that your photos are renumbered in order in the filename. :) 

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• When your numbered filename photos, music and, if applicable, any video and/or party logo, are ready to go, it's time to fill out the Montage form before sending in everything. The form will have the information for the final details of your Montage all in one location as a reference while your Montage is being designed.

 

- Please review the Montage form below before sending in. If you are deciding on some of the information, such as music and opening/closing titles, please do not fill out and submit until all the information can be completed. Thank You. :)

Click to fill out the Savvy Style Montage form

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Sending in your montage items & montage balance invoice

• After filling out the form, please send your numbered filename photos, music and, if applicable any video and/or Party Logo, through the free website Wetransfer.com. Wetransfer will allow you to send items individually or to upload one or more folders. (Photos can also be sent in via Dropbox, OneDrive, etc.)
   

• If using Wetransfer, when on the main page, go towards the middle bottom where it says "Take Me To Free" to go to the free uploading. On the "Email to", please send to montage@marvelousmontages.com and in the message area, please write the name of the person the Montage is for, the date of the party, and any additional info. Click the blue circle with the white plus sign to open a folder on your computer where you can upload the Montage items. When you press the button to send items, Wetransfer will show they are going to email you a code to enter on the transfer page. Please enter the code from your email within 60 minutes and press transfer for your items to be sent. Marlene will email you after your items are received and downloaded. :)

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• After your items are received, you will be emailed a Paypal invoice (which will include the name Alan S. Brooker Photography, Inc. and Marvelous Montages. Marvelous Montages is the Montage division of Alan S. Brooker Photography, Inc. - we're a Family business :) - for the Montage price or the balance, if you paid an initial deposit. You do not need a Paypal account to use Paypal - Paypal accepts payment through credit card or through your Paypal account, if you have one. Please complete the invoice by the date in your email and then your Montage design begins! :) 

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12. Your Montage is Designed and then time to view!

• Using the information in your Montage form and your awesome photos/music/any video/logo, your Savvy Style Montage will be designed!
   

• When your Montage design is completed, you will receive a temporary link for viewing. Hopefully you will love everything you see! Regarding any possible revisions: If there are any additions, deletions or changes to the items that you sent in, outside of minor changes you may like that Marvelous Montages on its own has designed, please contact Marvelous Montages to discuss and go over any additional fee. If a photo needs to be changed or deleted, a replacement will be needed in the same place. An added photo will need to replace a current photo or share screen with a current photo - please contact Marvelous Montages to discuss. :)
   

• While the Montage is being revised, the temporary link will be taken down and when ready, you will receive an updated temporary link to view the place(s) that was revised. Once given final approval, this finalized version will be made for your Digital File. (Please visit the following link for information on Montage items sent in within expedited time frame of 2 weeks or less of date needed, with information on possibly receiving your Montage 'as is'. (Click here to visit link.)

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13. Receiving your Montage!

• The .mp4 digital file of your Montage will be sent to you via an email from Wetransfer.com. In the email will be a link to click to download your Montage file. Once downloaded, the file is yours to keep. The Wetransfer.com email link, though, will expire in 7 days. The date of the Wetransfer link expiration will be noted towards the top of their email. But once you have downloaded your file within those 7 days, the file is yours to keep.

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• The Wetransfer email can be forwarded to the person playing the Montage at your Event, with a note that the digital file needs to be downloaded by the expiration date in the email. 

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• It is also a good idea to copy your Montage file onto a separate computer hard drive and/or forward the Wetransfer email to a Family member for them to download the file by the expiration date in the email, so you will have a back up copy of your Montage somewhere other than your main computer.
  
   

14. Testing your Montage!​

• Please coordinate with the person playing the Montage at your Event so they can test your Montage from beginning to end, before your Celebration date, on the equipment that will be used at your Celebration.

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Now you're on your way to a Savvy Style Montage!
Thank You! ~ Marlene :)
Email montage@marvelousmontages.com or call 732-431-4391

 

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