Liking your clients?

[Mike McCarty]

I think that I have a slightly different take on this subject. I have always thought in terms of the image rather than the personality. Sometimes I like people and sometimes I don't. But whether I do or I don't, I can love the image.

If the person that I am portraying is known to me I think it's possible that my knowlege may mold, pose, or portray that person in a manner that reflects that knowlege. More often than not, after a brief interview and photo session, I must interpret from the imagery.

Personally, I don't think I have the ability to gleen the core of a person's personality and somehow capture this understanding on canvas. It may work out that way and the client and their family may get this feeling. But, if this is the case, I think it was more a successful manipulation of the imagery than how I felt about the subject.

People may say that their feelings for the individual will surely find thier way into the work. Proving this is like having someone prove that I don't have a belly ache. I don't think that it's true that all the successful, sensitive portrayals of people were done because the subjects were warm and personable people.

Of course, if you [feel] differently and it helps you get the work done I think that's wonderful. I really don't think this will be a popular view, and in fact, I think I'm fixing to get hammered.