Establishing trust

[Elizabeth Schott]

There has been lots of discussion here about contracts and payments - what I have been doing recently is taking $300 down when the contract is signed -this is for the photo shoot(s) only. Then after a reference is decided on they pay half.

Kim as I was told... you are not a photographer! 30 to 40% down at contract, so you get bigger bucks for your composition, sketches and photo's!

Glad you resolved this, it could get you lots of business aye?

[Kimberly Dow]

Originally Posted by Linda Brandon

Hi Kim,

This is all good (and interesting) advice. I paint a lot of older women and I really enjoy doing so. I go out of my way to reassure them that I find them very beautiful and I am going to do the very best that I can to make them look fantastic. To do this you really have to believe as an artist that it's not just the young women who are interesting. (I have a vested interest in taking this position, by the way. )

I never hesitate to find the most flattering way to look at somebody. Let somebody else do the wrinkled character studies - it won't be me! Remember that you can do lots of "easy" steps such as lenghtening necks and fingers and taking out jowls and you will still get a convincing likeness and make your client happy.

Your right on Linda. I have never had a client I didnt find attractive - so far anyway - so I havent had to fake it. Sounds shallow, but anyone who is going to pay me to do what I love becomes most gorgeous anyway.

At a show recently a woman asked if I ever did older women - and I said yes, that I was about to do so-and-so - but I realized she was looking at several of my figuratives that were all gorgeous young women. So - I am very pleased to be doing this commission for that reason as well.

Beth - I guess in my mind the thought of charging the $300 for the photo shoot is to protect myself if that is as far as we ever go. It's in addition to the cost of the portrait. I am going on the assumption that I can take hundreds of photos and showing the best ones to the client will help seal the deal. I know that is not how most here do it generally - I may have to re-think it. The downside is that with only 300 in so far - there is more of an easier out for the client - a small loss if they change their minds. I've yet to have a client that is what I would consider wealthy - at least not for commissions. I've sold a few paintings to wealthy clients, but as far as commissions go I am still working towards reaching the right audience. Yes - hopefully this will lead to more. I have my heart set on Tom Selleck myself - her husband hunts with him - woohoo.

[Michele Rushworth]

There has been lots of discussion here about contracts and payments - what I have been doing recently is taking $300 down when the contract is signed - this is for the photo shoot(s) only. Then after a reference is decided on they pay half.

I'd definitely suggest you ask for more upon contract signing, before the photo shoot. I find the hardest work is planning for the photo shoot itself: overall composition, setting, clothing, lighting, camera angle, etc, etc. If that's all done right, often the painting paints itself. I don't want a client to back out after I've done all that prep and creative planning simply because they only have $300 invested. I put in literally weeks of planning before I did the photo shoots for the Governor's portrait. It's half the battle, shooting good reference.

[Mike McCarty]

Here's a little something I read very recently by the sage Wm. Whittaker. It seems apropos to this thread.

[QUOTE]Don

[Joan Breckwoldt]

Hi Kimberly,

I may have missed something here, but with all the red flags you're getting from this woman, why even continue the job? It seems to me that the time you have already spend just worrying over the job and writing about it on this forum has costs you time and therefore money.

I had a chance at a commission earlier this month, for a landscape for an office. Actually, the client wants three large landscapes. But, I talked to the client only twice on the phone and she was already 'bossing me around'. All of a sudden I was her employee and she was telling me what to do. Her manner set off one big red flag to me. I didn't want to assume the position of some lowly employee of this woman for the next couple of months while I attempted to please her. So, I told her I would have some of my paintings available for her to look at in a couple of months. I'm going to paint what I want to and if she wants to buy one, or two, then great! If not, somebody else will buy then. I want to paint the way I want to paint, the way I need to paint. I'm afraid it would be a waste of my time to try and paint something to please her.

You are such a go-getter, you're a real people person, and you never seem to lack commissions. Have you thought about "cutting your losses?". I remember reading here on the forum some advice about how to get out of a commission gracefully.

I know you live in a small town, that's why it's important to get out of the job gracefully. You have so much talent, I have to see it manipulated so by the client!

Anyway, these are just my thoughts.

Joan

[Kimberly Dow]

Joan,

I actually do more of my own work and the commissions come rarely - although I'm in good shape right now. That's one reason I chose to go ahead with this - I definitly want more commissions. Another is her contacts.

I have already started the job - so wish me luck. At one point there I finally told her she was going to have to trust me and she has left me to do my job since then. Hopefully she is still speaking to me.

It might have been better to let this one go - I guess I'll know when it is completed. If so I will make sure you all get a chance to tell me "I told you so." I like the painting so far and it has a western feel to it - which will be good for my advertising considering the area I am in. No matter what - it will be a good portfolio piece.

Thank you for all the comments!

[Joan Breckwoldt]

Hi Kimberly,

I admire your perseverance. (I admit I would have bolted a long time ago.) I am positive that this will be another beautiful portrait. Hopefully she will like it since she's trusting you and even if she doesn't, it'll be a great addition to your portfolio.

I would never say 'I told you so'!

Here's me wishing you luck. Good luck!

Joan