FAQ

Every print begins with a high-resolution scan of Veryl Oakland’s original negative or color transparency, printed to the film’s raw edge, so the frame you see is the frame Veryl shot. Black-and-white images are made as DSI Digital Silver Prints®: exposed by laser onto light-sensitive silver gelatin fiber paper, then developed in liquid photo chemistry, archivally washed, and air-dried by hand. Color images are printed as archival pigment giclées on Canson Platine cotton rag paper. All prints are produced by our printing partner, Digital Silver Imaging, in Belmont, Massachusetts.

Yes. The image is formed by silver itself, with no inks or dyes, which gives a neutral black-and-white tone with no color cast.

Fiber-based silver gelatin prints are considered the benchmark for photographic permanence. Because the silver image isn’t affected by light the way inks and dyes are, these prints have a proven record on display and in storage. Color prints are made with archival pigment inks on Canson Platine, a 100% cotton, acid-free paper made without optical brighteners and designed to meet museum longevity standards. Framed under UV-protective glazing and kept out of direct sunlight, they’re made to last for generations.

Most of our photographs are offered in four sizes:

– 8x12 – Open Edition
– 12x18 – Limited Edition of 75
– 16x24 – Limited Edition of 25
– 24x36 – Limited Edition of 15

Edition sizes may vary for select releases. The edition size for each photograph is always listed on its product page. Once a Limited Edition sells out, it will not be printed again in that size. 

Looking for a different size? See Do you offer custom sizes? in this FAQ.

In many cases, yes. Please contact us at support@jazzinavailablelight.com with a link to the photograph you’re interested in and the size you’d like. We’ll confirm availability and provide a quote. Each custom size is issued as its own edition, with a Certificate of Authenticity. Custom prints are made to order and typically ship within 3–5 weeks of approval.

Limited Edition prints (12x18 and larger) include a Certificate of Authenticity documenting the print’s edition, provenance, and Veryl’s own account of the photograph.

All prints are available unframed or framed. Framed prints arrive ready to hang: Nielsen matte black metal frame, 4-ply window mat with acid-free foam core backing, UV acrylic glazing, hanging hardware, and professional assembly.

Every print is made to order. Each one is printed, processed, washed, air-dried, flattened, trimmed, and inspected by hand, and framed prints are then professionally assembled. Please allow up to 5 weeks for your print to ship. We’ll email you tracking as soon as it’s on its way.

Within the US, prints ship by UPS Ground or USPS. Prints up to 20x30 ship flat, and every order is packed by hand. Books ship within the US via USPS Media Mail. Apparel ships within the US via USPS.

Our online store currently ships within the United States. If you’re located outside the US, please contact us at support@jazzinavailablelight.com with the photograph and size you’re interested in, and we’ll arrange a custom order with an international shipping quote.

Unframed prints arrive in an archival protective sleeve, sealed on the outside so the adhesive never touches the print. To remove your print safely:

• Open the sleeve on a clean, flat surface.
• Slide the print out carefully, handling it by the edges with clean, dry hands.
• Never lay the print on top of the sleeve, where it can come into contact with the adhesive strip.

Please inspect your print before removing it from the sleeve. Damage caused by contact with the adhesive after removal is not covered by our replacement policy.

Display your print away from direct sunlight and humidity. Handle unframed prints by the edges with clean, dry hands, and when framing, use archival, acid-free materials and UV-protective glazing.

Damaged in transit

Our printing partner, Digital Silver Imaging, has developed packing methods to best protect every print in transit. However, at times damage does occur. It is important that you follow the steps below so that a damage claim can be filed. Failure to do so may result in the loss of a replacement for your order.

If the carrier is present at delivery, always review the package and note any exterior damage with the delivery person.

1. Photograph the exterior of your package. Several photographs from different angles are important.
2. Keep all packaging. If the print itself appears damaged, photograph it before removing it from its packaging or sleeve.
3. Contact us immediately, and no later than 7 days after delivery, at support@jazzinavailablelight.com, and email your photos to us.

Damage discovered inside the archival sleeve (unframed prints only)
If the package arrives intact but you notice damage to the print while it’s still in its archival sleeve, do not remove it. Photograph the print inside the sleeve, keep all packaging, and contact us within 7 days of delivery at support@jazzinavailablelight.com with your photos.

Once a print has been removed from its archival sleeve, we’re unable to accept damage claims. Our liability is limited to the replacement of the print we have produced. Beyond replacing the print, we’re not responsible for other losses resulting from shipping damage.

Yes. For best results, we recommend a framer who uses archival, acid-free materials and UV-protective glazing.

Unframed prints are carefully inspected before they ship. If your print is damaged during mounting or framing by a third party, responsibility rests with the framer.

If that happens, we’re happy to provide a replacement. To protect the integrity of each Limited Edition, the replacement is reissued with the same edition number, so the damaged print must first be returned to us. Here’s how it works:

• Return the damaged print, along with its original Certificate of Authenticity, at your own expense.
• Once we’ve received it, we’ll reprint it at production cost plus a $150 handling fee, which covers a new Certificate of Authenticity and order management.
• Shipping of the replacement is charged separately.
• Replacement prints are made to order and ship within 3–5 weeks of receiving the original.

For Open Edition prints that are damaged by a third party, contact us for a replacement quote.

Fine Art Prints
All prints are made to order and are final sale. If your print arrives damaged, please see our Damaged Shipments policy under What if my print arrives damaged? in this FAQ.

Books
Every copy of Jazz In Available Light is signed by Veryl Oakland and includes a handwritten note, so all book sales are final. If your book arrives damaged, or a custom inscription was made in error, contact us within 7 days of delivery at support@jazzinavailablelight.com, and we’ll make it right.

Apparel
Apparel may be returned within 30 days of delivery. Items must be unworn, unwashed, and in their original condition and packaging. To exchange for a different size, return your item and place a new order once the return is approved. Return shipping and shipping on the new order are the responsibility of the customer.

How Apparel Returns Work

• Please contact us at support@jazzinavailablelight.com before sending a return.
• Return shipping is the responsibility of the customer. We recommend a trackable service, as we can’t be responsible for returns lost in transit.
• Once we’ve received and inspected your return, we’ll let you know whether it’s been approved.
• Approved refunds are issued to your original payment method within 5–10 business days. Your bank or card issuer may take additional time to post the refund.
• Original shipping charges are non-refundable.

Damaged or Incorrect Items
If a book or apparel item arrives damaged, or you received the wrong item, contact us within 7 days of delivery at support@jazzinavailablelight.com, and we’ll make it right at no cost to you.

Veryl Oakland’s photographs may be licensed for editorial, commercial, album, book, broadcast, documentary, and merchandise use. Every request is reviewed individually, and we approve licenses for projects that are a fit for the work and respect the legacies of the artists pictured.

To begin, email licensing@jazzinavailablelight.com with:

• The first and last names of the musicians you’re looking for, including any specific supporting personnel
• The range of years
• For a specific search: the location (city, state, or country) or the event name and location
• A brief description of your project and how the images will be used
• When you need the images 

We’ll use these details to conduct an archive search – see How does an archive search work? below. 

Please note that all licensed use requires the credit line: Photography © Veryl Oakland / Jazz In Available Light.

With nearly 80,000 negatives in the archive, many images have never been published or seen. Once we receive your request, we’ll let you know whether the musicians you’re looking for appear in the archive. If they do, we pull and organize the relevant images into a private online gallery for your review. Archive searches carry a fee (starting at $50), which is credited toward any license within 90 days. Archive search galleries remain available for 90 days to view. Please note that reviewing images does not guarantee a license. Final approval depends on the intended use.

Veryl is glad to share his photographs and the stories behind them. Past appearances include artist talks, book signings, exhibitions, and interviews for podcasts, documentaries, and publications. As his schedule allows, he’s available for both in-person and virtual events.

To inquire, email hello@jazzinavailablelight.com with:

• The name and format of your event or publication
• Date and location (or virtual)
• Audience and a brief description
• Any timing or deadline considerations