Frequently Asked Questions

Imperfect frame is a travel photographic vision and project that I created in 2017 which wants to pay tribute to world's largest archipelago Indonesia by envisioning its exploration with motorbike over the next decade.

Supported by the Ministry of Tourism of Indonesia, the photographic vision takes an interest in the world and its representation from ethnological and philosophical aspects.

The main mission aims to preserve the archipelago’s ethnic cultures with a special emphasis on its people in order to question the foundations of our modern world and see it from a different framework.

It is through inspiring encounters and travelogues that I want to make Imperfect Frame stand out from any other photo projects. My point is to bring to light the people left behind our society in order to inspire a world too conditioned by technology and blinded by quantitativism.

In the end, what if the values ​​of our civilization were found among the people living in the most remote corners of our globe?
What if the fragments of a forgotten truth were found among the people living with disconcerting simplicity?
And what if those who deliberately carried the most imperfections in the face of our fast-paced, materialistic society were actually those who inspired us in the most profound and meaningful way?

That's how Imperfect Frame was born.

Indonesia impresses by its variety of landscapes and destinations—but all those travel experiences wouldn’t be the same without the people who live there. This is exactly what I was drawn by.

People’s remarkable kindness and hospitality made me instantly connect with them in a special way. The solidarity I could find in Indonesia was beyond anything I could expect but above all, something I couldn't find elsewhere.

I am today proud to be able to pay tribute to Indonesia with my own way and hope my website invites you to (re)discover this wonderful country.

The project was started in 2017 and the mission is now to release a series of books that will translate and mirror the different regions' cultural identities for the next ten to fifteen years.

I am currently working on a photo book series that will involve the release of one volume for each main archipelago's region:
- Java (completed: 2018 - 2020);
- Bali (ongoing: 2022 - 2023)
- Nusa Tenggara (2024);
- Sumatra (2025);
- Kalimantan (2026);
- Sulawesi (2027);
- Maluku (2028);
- Papua (2029)

I first arrived in Indonesia on September 1st, 2015. It was in Jambi, Sumatra. At that time, I was a backpacker traveling throughout Southeast Asia eager to discover new cultures and meet new people while helping children with their English as a volunteer in schools and organizations.

I am a former landscape photographer and never thought I would someday photograph people.

I’ve become interested in photographing them because of the meaning I was able to put behind my human encounters. I love to visually transcribe life’s raw emotions, especially of children and elderly. They all have a story to tell which I am always eager to listen and learn from. Imperfect frame aims to inspire other people through meaningful travel encounters in order to give a unique life’s perception and philosophy.

I have been having a 10-year-old Canon 60D which today became my backup camera aling with my Canon R6. My favorite lens is 135 mm for my portrait work.

I use Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom.

I’m glad you wish to learn from me. Unfortunately, I am unable to facilitate photo workshops at the moment.

I am not proposing any such courses at the moment.

If you feel there may be an opportunity to work together, I’d love to hear from you. As a photographer, I believe in staying true to my values and ethos, and want to work with those who share the same spirit of my photographic vision, Imperfect Frame.

If you have an idea of how we could work together, please email me at marius@imperfectframe.com.

In order for me to work correctly, I usually travel by myself only.

We use the Raja packaging boxes to ship each book. They will be sent in a brown foam slider postal box that offers the maximal level of protection.

Please note that for customers ordering and receiving the book(s) in Indonesia, your packaging will be different since it is shipped from our local warehouse.

All our Replica Edition photographs are carefully inspected, protected, plastified before being put in a thick cardboard tube ready for shipping.

All our Original Edition photographs are taken care by art packaging professionals in Europe and come in a cardboard box or rolled in a thick cardboard tube.

To run an efficient service for my customers, I am working remotely with my team in order to facilitate the purchases of my products.

Books
All books ordered will be posted out within 48 hours.
Please double check your address to make sure it is accurate. Our expected shipping times vary based on delivery location. 

Delivery Estimates:
France: 2-3 days;
Indonesia: 3-4 days;
Europe (incl. Switzerland/UK): 7-14 days;
United States: 5-10 days;
Dubai/HK/Japan/Singapore: 14 days;
Australia/New Zealand: 21-28 days;
Rest of the world: 21-28 days

Please note that not all destinations will conform with the above rates – they are just a guide.

Photographs
All Replica Edition photographs are printed and dispatched from Indonesia, usually within 48 hours.
All Original Edition photographs are processed in Europe and dispatched within a week.

Delivery Estimates:
2/3 working weeks worldwide

For the books and the photographs, we are unfortunately not able to offer a tracking except for our customers in France (book order).

Please note that a shipping confirmation email is always sent to let you know when we shipped your product.

Upon ordering on the website, always double check your address to make sure it is accurate.

In some rare cases, your book or photograph might be detained by customs for whatever reason (cf. Dubai). We strongly suggest you to contact your nearby post office/customs to check the shipping status of your product.

If your product still hasn't arrived after the above timescales, stay patient and drop us an email to sales@imperfectframe.com with your name and order number.

For book orders, as advised by the French post office, we may ask customers to leave up to 30 days before we re-dispatch an order. You will just need to pay the fees needed to ship your book.

For photographs, we may ask customers to also leave up to 30 days before we re-dispatch an order. You will just need to pay the fees needed to ship your photo.

If your product has been seriously damaged in transit, then we are sorry for the inconvenience. Please drop us an email at sales@imperfectframe.com with some photos of the damages. We will ship you the same product at no additional cost.

Yes, Imperfect Frame has now a physical art gallery which opened in Bali since June 22nd, 2022.

If you are in the area, come visit us at Ôde à l'Indonésie to discover our products.

It’s of our utmost importance to have each and every customer completely satisfied with their purchase and experience.

Unless your product is damaged, all orders are final. Our e-commerce shop displays all products with an accurate representation of each of them, stating the specifications, physical attributes as well as the content.

We advise that you familiarize yourself in the shop section via our website before making a purchase.

To run an efficient service for our customers, purchases of any products listed on our website will be posted out within 48 hours.

If you wish to cancel your product order, you may contact us as soon as possible before your order has been posted out. We will provide a full refund on your order.

All orders are final but of course we offer free replacement in the case your product is damaged when receiving the parcel.

Do send us an email to sales@imperfectframe.com along with a photo of your damaged product and we will ship you a new one free of cost.