Sterling Portraits, LLC

Preparing For Your Design

Consultation

 

The design consultation is essential and required! This is your time to explore possibilities, ask questions and make plans. You will have the opportunity to view works created by the artist, Sterling Cecil Hoffman, to become better acquainted with his styles of portraiture and the many options available to you. Sterling will personally guide you through the decision-making process. You should allow ninety minutes for this appointment.

 

Some of the topics you will discuss and make decisions on are:

  • Who will be photographed? The children together? Individually? The family? Parents together? Grandparents? All of these?
  • What style of portrait? Interactive/Storytelling? Traditional (looking at the camera)? Closeups? Full lengths? Scenics?
  • What feeling do you want your portrait to convey?
  • Black & White or color?
  • Do you want Behind-the-Scenes portraits?
  • Where and when will the portraits be created?
  • Can your home be used as the portrait location?
  • What do we do in case of poor weather if an outdoor portrait is being planned?
  • When can Sterling preview your home?
  • What style and coloring of clothing will you need to prepare or purchase?
  • Would you like to purchase additional sessions so that portraits can be created of more than one combination of family members?
  • What portraits will you purchase at the consultation to take advantage of the 20% advance purchase advantage?
  • When will you and your spouse return to the gallery to view and select your images?

 

What to bring to the consultation...

  • Your Planning Guide notebook. We strongly recommend that you read it thoroughly. It will answer many question and keep the appointment to ninety minutes.
  • The completed Portrait Idea List.
  • Your appointment book so that you can schedule the remaining appointments.
  • Any snapshots you have of the places where you would like Sterling to consider taking the portraits.
  • Snapshots of your children, family, spouse, pets - whoever will be in the portrait.
  • Snapshots of the walls where you will be displaying the portraits. Include a yardstick against the wall in the photographs if possible.
  • If you have specific clothing you really want to wear in the portrait, bring it along. Sterling will help you to decide if it is a good choice.
  • A means of payment - personal check or credit card. (If you have a certificate for services, please bring this as well.)

 

Who should come to the consultation?

Bring the people whose opinions and input you want. Since you will be making your final decisions at the consultation, if your spouse is interested in the portraits and you want their input, then they should come. It is ok if your spouse does not want to come, as long as they are prepared to go along with all the decisions you make.

It is not advisable to bring minor children to the design consultation. The need to focus on planning your portraits and the vulnerability of the artwork on display preclude the presence of children in the gallery. While we look forward to the opportunity to meet your children, the consultation is not a good time for this.