Which photo should I use?

[Mike McCarty]

What would you do here? I don't want to bother my client asking for more photos.

I wouldn't want to use these photos.

One thing that confuses our purpose is that everyone has a camera. People feel like it is there constitutional right to take pictures, and it is. However, as mentioned in article 17 of the constitution: "A client shall not expect pedestrian snapshots to be used as resource for portrait art."

I would contact a photographer in your clients city. Have him spend an hour with the child and tell him (show him examples) what you expect in your photo.

You could pay for this, or, have the client pay for it and deduct it from the total cost, or, just have him pay for it on top of the commission price.

You mention that you don't want to bother the client to get more photos. Whatever uncomfortable feeling that this exchange might cause will be multiplied by ten when you must present this client with a portrait that you created from these photos. Better to face the conflict now.

Clients should be able to understand this. A lawyer wouldn't ask a layman to prep his murder case. A Dr. wouldn't ask someone in the lobby to prep a patient for surgery. Clients shouldn't create photo reference.