Wendy and I taking a break in the middle of our photo shoot

Doing any commissioned work is a collaborative process. It goes something like this. We get together under relaxed circumstances. A cup of tea, a glass of wine, whatever. We look through my portfolio of portrait works and talk about what it is that I do and what it is that you want to express through my work. Some people have a very specific idea about what they want - a portrait of a loved one, a loved thing, themselves. Others just have a vague idea, a colour scheme or a feeling. We meet again to take photographs, then once more to see the photos and sketches. Sometimes someone will want a portrait to be a surprise for a loved one. I love these times because it takes a certain amount of creativity to make this come about. From the first meeting to when the final piece is finished takes about 3 to 4 months.

Val and Joe using "Bunny" to get over initial shyness