Q.  What are the benefits of maintaining a photographic and electronic record of my valuable home contents and personal belongings?
A.  Proof of ownership; assist Garda enquiries to apprehend criminals after a burglary; expedite and authenticate insurance claims; identify and recover stolen property; help reduce insurance fraud with a credible record, prepared independently with “home environment authenticity.”

Q.  Why should I permit a stranger into my house to photograph my “treasured possessions”?
A.  The fact that you have “treasured possessions” justifies having the benefit of a photographic and electronic record of these items.  Only Michael O’Byrne will visit your home by appointment.

Q.  Some jewellery shops offer a photographic service.  Why should I use your service?
A.  Some jewellery shops do offer a service to “value and photograph” jewellery.  The service can take up to three weeks, is considerably more expensive, and you are without your jewellery during this period.  Most importantly, it does not include the benefit of recording all your valuable home contents and personal belongings.

Q.  What are considered to be “valuable home contents and personal belongings”?
A.  Antiques, heirlooms, items of great sentimental value, art work, ornaments, porcelain, jewellery, detailing of antique or vintage vehicles, and garden ornaments are just an example.

Q.  Could I produce my own photographic records?
A.  Yes.  Caution!  Our service offers the benefit of valid and credible authentication of your valuable belongings.

Q.  Do you schedule evening and weekend appointments?
A.  Yes.  However, evening and weekend appointments are not routinely scheduled, but can be scheduled by special arrangement only.

Q.  How long must I wait for an appointment?
A.  At this time, a minimum of seven days.

Q.  What if the you damage or break an article?
A.  The procedure to be followed, should this unfortunate event occur, would be to claim from my Public Liability Insurance.

Q.  What if the you are late for the appointment?
A.  I will contact you by phone as early as possible and inform you if there will be delay.

Q.  What if I require more than 100 photographs to be taken?
A.  This is not a problem.

Q.  What is the duration of the scheduled appointment?
A.  Appointments are routinely scheduled for two hours.  This time frame normally allows sufficient time for me to take up to 100 photographs.

Q.  Will my personal details be shared with other agencies?
A.  Absolutely not.

Q.  How can I be sure that all the information you have about my home contents and personal belongings will be treated in confidence?
A.  I have been a member of the Garda Siochana for 30 years and have also served with United Nations.  I am the only person who has or will have access to any data stored by me.  I will not discuss past, present, or future client data and appointment details.

Q.  How do I know that the person who visits my home is bona fide?
A.  Only Michael O’Byrne will call to your home.  You will receive confirmation in writing, which includes information that will enable you to quickly and positively identify me when I arrive at your house.

Q.  How will the data be presented to me?
A.  A presentation package containing a set of photographs, a compact disc, and other documents, will be mailed to you by registered post within 10 working days of the appointment date.

Q.  What happens if my presentation package is lost in the post?
A.  All presentation packages are despatched to clients by registered post and are, therefore, insured.  If a consignment is lost in the post system, a replacement presentation package would be sent to you as soon as we became aware of the loss.

Q.  How can I pay for this service?
A.  Payment is expected and requested on the day of the appointment.

Q.  What if I am not happy with your finished product?
A.  In the unlikely event of you not being satisfied with our product, I adopt a policy to ensure that whatever the final outcome of the complaint, the client is completely satisfied within reason.  I am a member also of the Irish Professional Photographers Association, a body which a member must adhere to a strict code of conduct and carry out their business dealings in a way that will not detract from but rather enhance the respect which the Association has earned for itself at both national and international level.  This body will act as an impartial mediator between a member and his/her client in the event of a disagreement in order to resolve it and promote goodwill.

Q.  What happens if I misplace or lose my photographs and CD?
A.  We can supply replacement records of your data, provided, of course, that you have not requested me to remove your data from my records.

Q.  I do not have a computer.  How can I view the CD?
A.  The CD record is primarily to quickly assist Garda enquiries and support insurance claims.  All Gardai and insurance companies will be able to view and make a copy of the CD to assist their enquiries.  Always remember to ask for your personal copy to be returned to you.  However, you will also have a photographic record of each item photographed.  A family member or neighbours may be able to assist you in viewing the CD.

Q.  Will it be possible for me to update or amend my stored data at a future date?
A.  Yes.  An update/amendment service is available.

Benefits of Using the Michael O’Byrne Photography Home Appointment Service

• High quality photographic, electronic, and forensic records of valuable home contents and personal belongings translate into a worthwhile asset when the records are used to positively identify, recover, and prove ownership of your “treasured possessions.”  The quality of these records is a very important consideration, to ensure that maximum value is gained from the added peripheral benefits.  A table top studio is used for photographing jewellery.

• High resolution and detailed photography retain the article’s definition and identification marks when enlarged and “zoomed” on a computer screen.

• An independently prepared inventory provides credibility.

• An independently compiled photographic, electronic, and forensic record with “home environment authenticity” will prove ownership of valuable home contents and personal belongings.

• Records that are lost through fire, theft, or natural disaster can be replaced.  Records can be amended to include new items.

• Should your property be stolen, and subsequent to the burglary being reported, we will provide Gardai with the details of your property loss.

• No charge for mileage up to 20 miles from Thomastown.

• Assurance that you will deal only with Michael O’Byrne and that he alone will be photographing in your house.

• Michael O’Byrne is an award-winning member of the Irish Professional Photographer’s Association, Kodak Promise of Excellence Programme.  Finalist in Kilkenny Business Awards 1998, 1999, and 2001.  Recipient of the Continuous Improvement Award 2003, organised by Kilkenny Chamber of Commerce.

• The data is presented in a presentation pack that can be conveniently stored with personal records and property deeds.

Michael O’Byrne takes client security very seriously.  The security procedure that we operate is unique.  Clients are able to quickly and positively identify me when I arrive for the appointment.  Clients are, therefore, reassured that Michael O’Byrne will be able to provide the necessary identification documents when attending the scheduled appointment.  I am very much aware of the high level of “doorstep” crime throughout Ireland at the present time.  I will not practice “cold calling” or “doorstep selling.”  The home appointment service offered by Michael O’Byrne Photography is strictly by appointment only.  The home appointment record of Michael O’Byrne is available to all Garda Authorities on request.

Scale of Charges
Within 20 miles of Thomastown (inclusive of V.A.T. @ 13.5%)