HOW TO COMMISSION A PORTRAIT

Hilary is happy to accept commissions for portraits. Please feel free to phone her or email her to discuss details, but some basic information to help you is given below, along with guidelines on photography for when Hilary is unable to meet the subject and take photographs herself.

Framing
If framing is required it is done by Gabrielle, a framer in Birmingham. A very appropriate mount colour and moulding have been selected. 
Glazing: Clear glass
Mountboard: 2039 ‘Peach’
Moulding: M 801 0018 ‘Unfinished Profiles’

Postage and packing
An unframed portrait can be sent bubble wrapped in a postal tube from around £2 (if uninsured).  If the picture is mounted and framed the cost would be higher. Please ask for pricing options.

Portrait and Photography guidelines
Hilary normally does single portraits, rather than groups.

If you live locally to Stratford-upon-Avon (within 40 minutes drive) she will often be able to arrange to come and meet the subject and take photographs. Otherwise she can work from photographs you provide, including digital photographs sent by email. 

When selecting photographs to be developed into portraits, please note that care is necessary in choosing or taking an appropriate photograph, as what makes a good photograph does not necessarily make a good portrait. Hilary suggests that you follow these guidelines to get the most effective portraits:

Pose – The subject should be facing slightly off to the side, but not full profile, and the face should be as relaxed and natural as possible. 

Smiles - Smiles are most certainly allowed, but take care that they do not look like forced grins, held to long. Remember people expect that photographs are of a fleeting instant, but expect portraits to be slower, so they will not necessarily expect the same expression. They will also (hopefully) be on the wall a long time, so try to make sure the subject is likely to be happy with their expression.

Eyes - The eyes can be looking directly at the camera, but this is really an issue of what you would like most for your particular portrait.

Light – Flash may be acceptable depending on the effect required - remember photographs tend to be bleached out with a flash so as not to show all the imperfections, however in many cases it will create a flat and lifeless portrait. Natural light coming from straight behind the camera or from where the subject is looking is best.  This will light up the main features and give good shadows. The light should not be coming from behind the subject, nor should it be reflected light coming from everywhere as this will make the image very flat. Shadows are good, they give depth, but only in contrast to light so please make sure the whole face isn’t in shadow. 

Copies

To save you expense, if you wish to procure personal (non-commercial) giclee copies of the portrait you commission then Hilary is happy to give you some advice on copying and printing services to get it done yourself, rather than charging to get it done for you.