Professional Services in Westford

Animal Rescue Front (ARF) was founded in the wake of Hurricane Katrina as a first-responder animal-rescue team that helped save the lives of cats and dogs that survived the disaster. Focusing on one affected community in Mississippi, the organization transported more than 1,100 animals to homes and shelters that wouldn't euthanize them at locations across the country. The effort reduced the kill rate from 80 percent to zero for the first 12 months after the hurricane.

Now, ARF continues to fulfill its mission: “Until there are none save one.” The organization works to prevent companion animals from being euthanized through spay/neuter initiatives, adoption services, and educational programs. Teams in Louisiana and Mississippi also rescue animals directly from shelters that are at full capacity, and then place the animals in foster homes to socialize them and provide medical care and prepare them for adoption.

The staff at Zoots Dry Cleaning extracts stains and stress by pairing eco-friendly dry-cleaning services with the convenience of extended evening and Sunday hours, 24-hour drop-off and pickup services (available at most locations), and an automated drive-thru system. Team members clean clothes, draperies, bedding, and rugs with a biodegradable solvent as opposed to harsh PERC chemicals, and some staff are trained to expertly excise stains from the delicate lace and beadwork of bridal-gown bodices. Most stores also have a tailor on location who is able to alter ensembles in a snap. Customers get e-mail notifications when orders are ready or they can download a smartphone app to keep a close eye on the status of their dirty laundry.

Now a professional photographer who trained at the New England School of Photography, Erik first cottoned on to photography while living in Europe. Awestruck by the beauty and excitement that comes with trekking around unfamiliar places, he wanted to pull the sights through the lens of his camera and keep them from weathering in his memory. His newfound passion for photography snuck into his luggage on his trip back to the U.S., where it grew into a full-blown career of photographing boudoir shoots and weddings.

Patton Boudoir’s 900-square-foot studio, decorated like an old-fashioned dressing room, sets an elegant backdrop for tasteful photo sessions. Commercial lighting casts a flattering glow over skin, and bottles of champagne set a festive mood. During boudoir sessions, Erik uses a mix of humor and specific direction to create images that draw out each client's personality, celebrate their beauty, and show off the elegant curve of their antennae. Depending on the package, the shoot takes the form of a full-fledged event with professional makeup artist Michelle working at Erik’s side, styling hair, applying makeup, and orchestrating the wardrobe. After the shoot, Erik lightly retouches and individually tones prints to mimic darkroom techniques.

Before looking through the camera lens, the expert photographers at Picture People spend time getting to know their subjects and establishing a strategy for conveying their personalities in print. Then, film-ready clients pose in the bright camera room, airing teeth amid colorful backdrops and creative props. Following snapshots, subjects make their way to the selection station to choose their favorite poses from their session, which may be treated with sepia tones, color accents, and decorative borders to suit any wall, wallet, wallpaper pattern, or trophy walleye.

Picture People encourages subjects to arrive 15 minutes early to the shoot and offers a variety of creative tips to help enhance mantel-dominating final results. The studio ensures satisfaction with a 100% guarantee on finished products.

Your package includes a session for up to six people (up to $105 value; $10 per person over six people) and three sheets of the same pose that include:

Founded by brothers Atillio and Aldo Carbone, EZ-Way Cleaners has been taking care of customers and winning awards for more than 60 years. Like volunteer bounty hunters, technicians offer free pick-up and delivery on all items, gently laundering heavy winter coats and silken summer dresses with equal care. After double-checking each garment's cleaning instructions, the staff presses shirts into crisp shape, and uses specialized products and techniques to treat delicate leather, suede, tablecloths, or carpet. Customers are encouraged to bring back their wire hangers both to help protect the environment as well as feed the pet trash compactor kept out back.