Photo references for surprise commission

[Bianca Berends]

I have been asked to paint a portrait of a well-known person here in The Netherlands. He is chairman of a committee and he is leaving. A representative of the committee has approached me for this commission, so it is a surprise for him.

The committee would like to present the chairman with the portrait when he leaves, that means I would use photographs I didn't make myself to paint the portrait (off course they will have to meet certain standards). I prefer to meet the people I paint, get to know them a bit and do my own photo shoot.

I have painted people before from photographs that where not mine, and it has worked out fine. But in this case it feels different, because he is so well known and it is an important commission for me and I want it to be perfect.

Does anybody have experience with a similar situation? I understand that the committee wants to surprise him and that they don't want to present him with this plan to paint his portrait when he leaves, but want to give him something concrete, in other words the portrait. What would be a good solution for the committee as well as for me?

Many thanks!

Bianca

[Mike McCarty]

About all you can hope for is to have them set up a photo shoot under some other pretense, like for the next annual report, or some press announcement regarding his departure. The committee could probably come up with a reason. Then just present yourself as a photographer.

Other than that your left with someone elses images.

[Mischa Milosevic]

Bianca, I would ask the committee to hire a professional photographer and to give you the opportunity to speak with the photographer. Also, ask the committee the type of portrait they are asking of you to paint. I am sure they know this person quite well and will be able to give you good ideas. I am sure they can give good explanation why they want photos.
I would go with the photographer as his assistant and this will give you the time you need and to set the pose as you would like. Mike has a good point you could present your self as the photographer.

I am curtain that you will paint a excellent portrait.
I hope this helps.

[Bianca Berends]

Thanks Mike and Mischa for your ideas. To go with the photographer as his assistant is a good idea. I am going to inform if they have a photo shoot planned in the next few months for another purpose. Then I can ask the photographer to also make photos for my portrait. And otherwise I will present myself as the photographer and let the committee come up with a reason for the photo shoot. Thanks again.