customer choice not mine, what to do

[Patricia Joyce]

After the third photo shoot I feel I got some good pics to work with. After the clients view the three best they emailed back a favorite pic of theirs they liked. Of course it was front flash and the kids were laughing out loud. This gave me important information. They want an informal portrait and I can see that the flash created beautiful skin tones and brightened up the kids eye color and the girl's freckles.

I replied that this is what I saw in their photo but that it could not work as a portrait, not unusual at all. A good photoraph is a good photograph, but rarely transforms into a good painting. I said I could use this as reference for color of eyes and a strong sense of their personality.

I asked for some specifics of what they don't like about this choice. They do not like how low her sweater is (easy!).

They do not like his teeth
They do not like the arch of his back.

Any suggestions as to how to reply?

Thanks,
Patty