HOW TO COMMISSION A PORTRAIT

Please feel free to contact Hilary to discuss your portrait requirements. Some basic information is included below along with some advice on selecting photographs. To place an order, simply email Hilary your favourite photographs.

Framing
Hilary would be happy to arrange for the artwork to be framed, with a local framer, according to your specification.

Postage and packing
A framed portrait can be sent bubble wrapped with extra packing for protection. Delivery method would be Special Delivery or Parcel Force, please ask for pricing options. An unframed portrait would be sent in a postal tube rather than sending flat, this will provide the best protection for the artwork, delivery method would be Special Delivery.

Portrait and Photography guidelines
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.