Commissioning Portraits 

For portraits made from your photos:

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Candid photos make some of the best portraits. Most people have photos they have already taken that will work for sketches. Studio portraits which are more expensive require better reference photos. 

When taking photos for portraits it is good to know a bit about the best procedure. Cameras distort the face  If the person is too close, the nose is too big and the ear too small.  The best idea when using a phone camera is to zoom in from about six feet away. Don't try to frame the head and collar. Include the gesture of the body down to the third button on the shirt or blouse. The neck and shoulders support the head and the subject should assume an attractive posture.

1. Avoid squinty eyes.

2. Blurry photos will not work. The artist must be able to see the shape of the eyelid and lip line. 

3. Smiles which stretch the lips will not work. The cheeks become too rounded and the eyes narrow too much. 

4. Using an old photo is good. 

5. Several photographs of the subject help.

6. If your favorite photo is by a professional photographer, their written permission is necessary. A small fee of $50 should suffice. Email permission is all that is necessary.

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Many of the portraits on this website were made from photos that I took. My fee for a photo session depends on which type of portrait is commissioned plus travel expenses. 

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