Help with a client

[Kimberly Dow]

I had this gentleman I know fairly well come in today. He is a past client and he wants to put a frame shop in my studio. What he asked today though was for a quote on a portrait.

The quandary is this - he is the Vice President of the bank here, a forceful guy. He wants a portrait of the bank owner who happens to be one of Texas's past governors. He is well-known and has a fairly impressive art collection. This would be the most prominent/public portrait I have ever done.

The VP is going to the governor's ranch this weekend and wants to take a photo of him on the front porch. I immediately stated that I would like to take the photo or get a professional to do it, but he is adamant about keeping it a suprise. It is to be a Christmas gift from all the employees at the bank.

I can always hope he takes a great shot, but what are the chances? Now that I know better I will not humiliate myself by having something done from a bad reference. Especially for such a public figure. This would be all over the papers, etc. So, it's good news, but I do not know how to convince him about the reference. When pushed he just stated that he had faith in my ability. What now?

[Mary Sparrow]

I had a similar experience a couple of years ago, I was asked to do one of the retiring CEO of IJL Wachovia. (first of all what a joke, I was no way NEAR qualified to do that in my opinion) It was to be a surprise for him at his retirment party. I stated the same as you and they rebutted the same. I said OK, and they called back saying they had plenty of GREAT photos. They show up and ...NOT! It blew my mind that professional people actually thought these little snapshots were good. And this was before I had even had the great fortune to read all this information on SOG about resource material.

I had to tell them no, I hated it, because that is my downfall, I don't know how to tell people no. I think I really made them mad because at that point they were scrambling to come up with something else.

Anyway, my point is, don't do it. Explain the situation to him, and ask if he would consider a Certificate Stating what has been done in his honor, then you could set up a photoshoot at that point. I know it wouldn't be as dramatic a presentation for them to give him up front, but it would definately be better in the long run for everyone involved.

[Jeff Fuchs]

Can't you get him to pose for a photo under the guise that it will be used in the newsletter, or quarterly report, or a magazine article?

As a former governor, he's had to pose for lots of pictures. I doubt you'd raise suspicion.

I think everyone here would agree that you shouldn't leave it in the banker's hands.

[Mike McCarty]

If you argue your case before he takes the picture your arguments will be based on theory and concepts. If you wait until he takes the picture, you will be arguing against a specific photo and more to the point, his own abilities.

I would do all I could to make my case before the fact. And if you can't keep it from happening I would avoid being put in the position to view the photo. After you've seen the photo your agrument becomes personal.

Ask him if he wouldn't mind hiring you to do some theoretical models based on the Kayensian euclidean population theory of south Texas. All good bankers know these things. Of course you don't, so why would he hire you to do it?

Oh and when you're finished with the report sign his name at the bottom and hang it in the lobby of the bank.

Ask to see the corporate file pictures, try the local newspaper, there must be a hundred good photos of the governor.

[Michele Rushworth]

I really like Jeff's suggestion. Have the bank VP set up a photo shoot with you (if the subject wouldn't recognize you) or with a pro photographer and tell the bank owner it is for a newsletter or report of some kind.

[Tom Edgerton]

Kim--

DO NOT relinquish artistic control over this project. If you work from someone else's photo, that's what you're doing. You then become nothing more than a "hired wrist" to copy the photo.

Do the work from existing professionally taken archive photos, or set up a shot with a professional photographer under another guise as stated. But remember that if you use an existing photograph, you have to get permission from the previous photographer under copyright law; if you copy the photo without permission, the photographer can take you to court. Don't assume that no one will find out, as it's a high-profile commission in a public place.

A project like this is potentially too highly visible to leave control of it in someone else's hands, or to put yourself in the position of having a less than fabulous painting, from bad reference, hanging in so public a place with your name on it. And believe it--you can't overestimate the resume' value that a painting of a former governor of your state can have. Not to put pressure on you or anything.

Just tell them that as good an artist as you are, you can't paint what you can't see. That usually works for me.

Best of luck--TE

[Kimberly Dow]

Nah Tom, NO PRESSURE FELT HERE. I agree and you all are correct. I wont do it unless it's the right situation. Wish me luck. I like the idea of a professional photographer since he would recognize me. There should be plenty or archive professional photos, but I am not sure if they are on his ranch - the VP wants a casual one with his hands in his pockets - full body plus some of the front porch.

Mike, I like your style. Would you come negotiate for me please?

This really could have an impact on my resume - how interesting.

The employees will be paying for this - there is plenty of them - would this type of portrait be worth it in terms of my resume to lower the price? My prices are low to begin with, but I'd really like to make sure I get this. Besides, he wants a small size and I'd like to do it larger so I can get more information in there.

[Michele Rushworth]

I would absolutely not lower your prices for anyone, especially not local high profile bankers. You don't want it known that you will bargain, and it sounds like these folks can more than afford it anyway. If they can get your portraits for "cheaper", that's the psychological value they'll put on the end product.

As far as size, I don't like to do head sizes that are less than 6 inches. It's really up to you on that point. Tell them how you like to work.

If you act like a serious professional with requirements and limits, people will treat you like a serious professional. (Like Peggy Baumgaertner always says: "fake it 'til you make it.")

[Jean Kelly]

Kim,

Here's a tip that I've started using to help me convince clients that I need my own reference. I've purposely taken some very bad ref. photos that look like the typical "good" photo that a client might provide. These typically are flash, with sharp shadow lines, hard edges, and no detail shots. I show them an example of what I need in order to do a portrait, including detail shots of hands, eyes etc.. I point out that I must have this info in order to "paint" a portrait. I never make a reference to anyone's photography skills, simply that a portrait needs different information.

So far I've had an excellent response with this technique. I try to do this before even seeing their photos. The last time I presented my needs in this way my client ended up critiquing their own photography through my eyes. They saw everything that their beautiful photo lacked to create a painting and work of art. No feelings hurt, and I get what I need.

Jean

[Kimberly Dow]

I like your idea Jean, thanks for that tip.

Your right Michele. I knew this, I DO know this. Sometimes a project comes along that I get very excited about. I love painting and if I were never paid I would still do it. But, if I shared that with every client I'd be out of business.

I'll let you all know what happens. I do wish this had come up maybe a year from now. I am fully confident if it were a landscape, but I still need to learn more when it comes to portraits. To do one to the best of my ability at this point might make me very unhappy later considering he is such an important subject. It would be hanging in the bank, along with the rest of his 3 millon-dollar art collection.

Thanks again.