[Chris Saper]

To add to Peggy Baumgaertner's excellent response, you might consider taking an even earlier step...to find out what the client actually wants. Clarify your respective expectations, so that you feel comfortable that 1) they actually want a painting; and 2) that you are the right painter for them.Find out how comfortable your client is as he or she moves farther away from photo-realism. I have had a number of initial meetings where I could elicit from a client that what they really needed was a creative photographer. I have also met people who have a very specific desire for a syle different from mine; in either case I try to make a referral.

It can be helpful to show your portfolio, or other samples and ask the client for his response to various features...background treatment, mood, color, etc. You can help people articulate what they are interested in. Like Peggy, I always invite people to review photos with me. Sometimes you may be surprised that their view of beauty is different from yours. I let the client know also what decisions they must leave up to me. And in closing I always joke, "Raise your right hand, and repeat these words: this is a painting, not a photograph".

Best wishes!