Surprise portrait - how?
 

I am being commissioned to paint a 'surprise' portrait of an influential man. In other words, this person will not be able to pose for either painting sessions nor for photography! Those giving the portrait insist I work from (difficult) photographs which are being provided. None of the shots are what I would choose, but I really want to do this portrait. A photographer was able to get a few good shots at a banquet, but they are with big teethy smiles. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thank you!

Getting better photos
 

Hi Melinda,

Perhaps there is a way to take the man's photo without him knowing that it will be used for a portrait. Maybe you could come up with another reason for him to pose for a photo, even if the photo is taken by someone other than you, a member of his family perhaps, or someone in his office.

My son recently did a family tree project at school, we took pictures of all his relatives. Or have the man pose with someone under some pretext.

It sounds like the reference material you have been provided with is unacceptable, or at the very least will make this a difficult job, so you need to concentrate on getting a better photo.

Good luck!
Joan

Tell them a bad photo equals a bad portrait. I bet you they'll find a way to get another photograph. If they want their moneys worth, it would be wise of them to do so.

Perhaps a gift certificate could be the surprise. I know it wouldn't have as much impact as a finished portrait but a weak portrait of an influential person will hurt your reputation. It's also very possible this man would like some input into how he would like to be painted and may have a strong preference about which photos of himself he does/does not like.

*Update the corporate photo? *Talk to his wife, daughter, etc. *Hire a pro photographer and give him a mission. Tell him what you want and challenge him and his imagination to get it done (with the help of the above). No one will understand that you had poor photo's. They will judge what you do as if it was the best that you can do.

Some years ago I faced this exact situation. Mike's advice is on the money. I simply arranged, with the corporate client, to have a photographer show up, at the "request of the PR department", to take the photos, ostensibly for the hospital newsletter. However before the photo shoot, I met with the photographer and spent time educating him about exactly what type of resource photos I needed. As a result he took the subject from his office to a large picture window, got proper directional lighting and got me fantastic source photos.

To this day, it remains one of my favorite paintings. The completion of this painting will be a very important component to your portfolio. One cannnot make a silk purse from a sow's ear.

Chris

Devise a sneaky plan to photograph him...it is your only hope!