Saturday delivery

Patricia Joyce · 03-02-2006, 04:48 PM

Thank you, Sharon. I will do just that, I would not have thought about it. Interestingly, I have held that Cleveland, Ohio is a poor city for portraiture. When I spoke to the gentleman yesterday he said his wife can't understand why he would even want a portrait done! He had no idea what the procedure is (even though I attached a description of the process of creating a portrait) and actually sounded nervous talking to me. This actually boosts my confidence a bit. He may have an image of me wearing a beret and white smock with really puffy sleeves!!

And as far as his wife is concerned, I reassured him that she would understand his desire for a portrait of their precious daughter when she sees the finished product. And I told him, "this will be fun"! I sure hope so...

Sharon Knettell · 03-02-2006, 05:36 PM

Do wear the beret and smock and add a Daliesque moustache. That'll convince him.

Terri Ficenec · 03-02-2006, 05:49 PM

I bet you look cute in a beret Pat

A little trick that I sometimes use with the kids is to play 'mirror' with them-- asking them to move/hold their head the same way that I move mine, like a mirror, then tilt angle my head different ways and make different expressions. . . it can help if they're stiff (they're thinking about what you're doing rather than getting their picture taken). . . and for a little while, anyway, they seem to think that's fun. . . it helps to get some variety in angles/poses, too. Another trick is to get them settled, tell them to relax that you're just adjusting some camera settings, and talk to them while you 'pretend' to futz with the camera (really you're taking pictures) -- sometimes you can get some really nice relaxed shots this way. . . anyhow, just some things to keep in your back pocket. . . It sounds like you're gonna be ready for them.

Alexandra Tyng · 03-02-2006, 09:47 PM

Pat, this looks great. You are going to turn Cleveland around and bring it into the forefront of the portrait world singlehandedly!

Patricia Joyce · 03-03-2006, 11:36 AM

Sharon,
Do you think I could find a red mustache?? What a hoot!

Terri,
No, I look terrible in hats. Once went to an actual milliner with a friend, who of course looks beautiful in hats. They insisted on trying to find one for me and....the saleswoman shook her head after about fifteen hats and exclaimed, "I never met anyone who wore hats so, so, poorly" I could only laugh (I have a really narrow forhead)
Thank you, though for all your GREAT ideas. I will do just that with the mirror, then I thought to have coloring books and crayons at the table, and I am going to fill my easel with huge paper and magic markers. I like the idea of telling her to relax while I fuss with the camera...would never have thought to do that. I will let you know how it goes in the photo critique section in a couple weeks. I'm excited.

Alexandra you are so kind. Cleveland is a tough city to change, people are so set in their ways, but come on, who could resist a darling portrait of their little one...

Enzie Shahmiri · 03-03-2006, 02:36 PM

Hi Pat,

Nicely done! I especially love the way the arm has turned out- great modeling. I am happy to hear you are picking up commissions. It's nice to see when hard work finally pays off. Good for you

Patricia Joyce · 03-03-2006, 03:43 PM

Thanks Enzie,
I hope all is going well for you too. I really loved seeing your portfolio in July, we did have fun, didn't we?!
Take care,

Patricia Joyce · 03-06-2006, 05:15 PM

Reporting back,
This is the first portrait of a stranger I have had to deliver myself (the others were out of town so I was not there to see the customer's reaction). My customer owns a small Greek restaurant so I arrived before her customers began to trickle in. She said, "Oooooh, my BABY!!!" She folded her arms around herself and tears welled in her eyes. Then she picked it up and oohed and aahed some more. She commented on her eyes ("you captured her personality EXACTLY!) and she loved her arm and hand, "Oh my baby's round hands are so cute!!!" Then as I ate my breakfast and people started to trickle in, she had to bring the portrait to every one of her customers. I ran out of business cards!!!

I've been floating all weekend! Once again, I am reminded of why I love doing portraits so much, what could be more rewarding than to hear from your customer that you have captured the essence/spirit of their loved one!

Tom Edgerton · 03-06-2006, 09:25 PM

Pat--

Nice job...Let us know how everything turns out.

Best--TE

Patricia Joyce · 03-07-2006, 10:16 AM

Follow-up,
I took everyone's advice, except to get a mustache and wear a beret? Before the client arrived I cleaned up my studio, put a screen between studio and my living area, boiled water for tea, put on a pot of coffee, set out cookies. Set my portfolio on my table, made sure all my portraits were hanging in clear view, laid out contract and pen, set up the photo shoot corner with toys so that little Claire could see what it would look like when she came back on a Sunday afternoon, and I S L O W E D down my breathing and pretended to be a true professional artist (if you don't feel it fake it - learned that years ago when I owned my own business).

Well, the client came with his little girl and his wife (who was not sold on the idea) By the time they were ready to leave they had asked many questions about doing portraits of their two boys also!

And little Claire is BEAUTIFUL and did not want to leave!! They are scheduled for the photo shoot in two Sundays, pray for bright sky in my northern windows...

...thanks for your moral support, I depended on it last night!