you make what??

I have a problem. I’m not quite sure how to approach people to see if they would be interested in being the subject of one of my portraits. I’ve been lucky enough to meet a few really nice people in my new city (Portland, Oregon) and I would love to create a portrait of each one of them but I feel that it would have to be their decision to participate. The process can become quite personal.

So I’ve decided to come up with a pitch line. I need to combine both an explanation and invitation for my video series all in 30 seconds or less. 

Here’s what I’m thinking: 

NewFriend: “What do you make/do/create?”

Me: I create Moving Portraits of people I meet in my lifetime. 

NewFriend: “What’s that???”

Me: “Well, imagine the 30 seconds before and after your photo is taken for a portrait. A moving portrait would capture all 60 seconds of you on video. So rather than preparing for one shot, we would work together to figure out a short scene to depict how you would want to be portrayed. Usually it is based on a past or current event that might have changed your life. My goal is to create a new and genuine way of documenting humanity through the people I meet everyday and their life stories.”

NewFriend: “ahhh, I see!”

Me: “Hooray!”

That’s the best I have for the moment. We’ll see if it works!

Off to meet new people!