Drake 'n Dylan
 

This is a client supplied photo taken by the Grandmother. The parents want a 20x24, but I think that will be too small for a pastel. Also, the shadows caused by the flash are much too harsh and need softening.

Julianne,

Personally, to work from this photo would be torture. I just don't think I could produce something that I would be proud of.

Some people think that a photo has more worth because a relative took it. It's your job to set them on the right course. As a photo, this looks like a couple of cute kids hangin out, but in my opinion thats where it's value ends.

I agree with Mike. The lighting is so frontal as to eliminate all form. The boy on the right has a kind of squashed expression, etc.

I know you could do much better than grandma's snapshot. Great reference is THE KEY to a great portrait.

Besides who wants to be just a very expensive photocopy enlarging machine? The most creative part of this career is using your own concept, posing, lighting, composition and selecting of the reference to use. Then the piece is all yours instead of only half your work and half grandma's.

I agree with you both. The dilemma
arises when other influences come in to play.

#1 The "grandma" is my new portrait rep and she wants familiar faces in a portrait (since many of her clients know the boys).

#2 She wants THIS photo, and logistically a reshoot is not possible.

#3 The portrait is already sold (yes, before I've even started it).

Usually I don't do this, but because of the above circumstances and that I don't really have a bad feeling about doing it, it will be an O.K. portrait.

I always include a photo shoot as part of the price of the portrait. Portraits as surprises are wonderful, but 90% of the time are logistically and practically not possible for the artist to produce an excellent piece.

I will do it. They will love it. I will use it in my portfolio. It will probably never be a landmark piece that I truly adore, but who knows...

Julianne,

I think you really ought to talk to her about reshooting the kids.

If anyone needs to have the best work you can do it's your portrait rep. Going ahead with poor resource material will not allow you to do this; moreover, you can be sure that this will be the image she will show people first.

If she doesn't understand your need for top quality reference material (and I'm sure you can explain diplomatically why this shot is not what you need) she may not be the best person to have as your rep.