FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
We already have so many photos. Why would we commission artwork?
That is exactly why most families come to us.
You have the photos. You have the folders, the cloud storage, the galleries you meant to do something with. And still, something is missing — not because the images are bad, but because a folder is not a home for memory.
A commission is not more photography. It is a different outcome entirely. One finished artwork on your wall that makes your family's love visible every single day. Not something to manage. Something to live with.
What makes this different from a regular photography session?
A regular session ends when you receive the files. What you do with them is left to you.
A Masterpiece commission ends when the artwork is finished and in your home. Ela and Larry handle everything — the selection, the refinement, the craftsmanship, the presentation. You do not receive a gallery link and a task. You receive a permanent piece of art.
Photography is the medium. What remains is the artwork.
Where are you located?
Our studio is in Tampa, Florida. We also regularly travel to Greensboro, North Carolina for commissions.
For families outside these areas, we are available to travel — additional travel costs apply. If you are wondering whether we can come to you, begin a conversation and we will work it out.
Do we have to come to a studio, or can you photograph us on location?
All of our commissions — Masterpiece Seaside, Masterpiece Opus, and Masterpiece Christmas — are photographed in studio. The studio is where the work happens: the light is controlled, the connection is protected, and nothing competes with what we are there to witness.
Some commissions require us to photograph a specific asset — a boat, a luxury car, a plane — that becomes part of the final artwork. In those cases, we travel to the location to capture what we need.
If you have questions about what your commission might involve, begin a conversation and we will walk you through it.
How long does the process take?
Most families experience their Gallery Reveal within four weeks of their session — the moment you sit down to witness your finished artwork for the first time.
From there, your pieces are made to order. Wall art is handcrafted in the USA. Art books are printed in Italy. Delivery typically follows within another four weeks, though the Oil Commission may require additional time.
You will know exactly where your commission stands at every stage.
What is the Oil Commission?
The Oil Commission is an optional addition available for select commissions — and it is exactly what it sounds like: original artwork, painted entirely in 100% oil paint.
The paint is hand-mixed by the artists. It is applied by hand onto a sealed canvas bearing the original artwork, already approved by you. What results is not a reproduction, not a filter, not an effect. It is a one-of-a-kind painting — yours alone — finished to the standard of classical fine art.
If this interests you, mention it when you begin your conversation and we will walk you through what it involves.
How much does a commission cost?
Commissions begin at $3,000. Most families invest around $6,000 — depending on the artwork they commission, the scale, the finish, and what they want to carry forward.
We do not publish a full price list because every commission is different. What your family needs is part of the conversation.
What we can tell you is this: families who commission with us are not looking for the most affordable option. They are looking for the one that will matter most — the one their children will grow up beneath, and may one day keep in their own homes.
If you would like to understand what a commission involves and whether it is the right fit for your family, begin a conversation. There is no obligation, and no pressure.
Is this only for families with young children?
Not at all. There is no age limit to a Masterpiece commission — and no age limit to love that deserves to be made visible.
Even Masterpiece Christmas, our artwork with Santa, welcomes every age. We have worked with babies just days old experiencing their very first Christmas, and with an eighty-year-old grandmother who wanted to give her grandchildren something extraordinary. We have worked with couples, with multigenerational families, with families whose children are grown.
What matters is not the age. What matters is the love.
Can we include our pets?
Absolutely. Pets are welcome in any Masterpiece commission.
Your dog, your cat, the animal that is simply part of your family — they belong in the artwork if they belong in your life. Mention it when you begin your conversation and we will make sure they are part of the story.
Can I send you a photo and have you create artwork from it?
We do not work from existing photos — and the reason is the artwork itself.
Every Masterpiece commission is original. The light, the color harmony, the angle, the posing — every element is designed specifically for the piece we are creating together. A photo taken outside of that process will not carry the right light, the right tone, or the right moment. The result would be a compromise, and we do not make compromises with work that is meant to last generations.
To create artwork worthy of your family, we need to photograph you ourselves — with the precision and intention the final piece requires.
What if we are not sure which commission is right for us?
That is what the conversation is for.
You do not need to arrive with a decision made. You bring your family, your story, and what matters most to you — and we will help you understand which commission was built for it.