Commission Terms

These terms explain how a TEMI JOHNSON portrait commission works, in plain language. They form part of your commission agreement. If anything is unclear, ask me before you book.

1. Your commission and collection

Every commission includes a planning conversation, portrait design, a directed portrait sitting, an in-person private reveal and finished artwork from the collection you choose. You choose your collection during the design stage, before your sitting. All prices are in Canadian dollars, before applicable tax.

2. Your retainer

A $750 retainer secures your sitting date. It is credited in full toward your collection. The retainer is non-refundable, except as described in section 5 for medical reasons.

3. Payment

Your collection balance, less your retainer, is paid as follows: 50% at your private reveal, and the remainder either at the reveal or in up to three monthly payments by automatic charge. Artwork goes into production once the first 50% is paid. Artwork is delivered or installed once your balance is paid in full.

4. Your sitting

Sittings take place at the TEMI JOHNSON studio in Hamilton, Ontario, and run about three hours, including about an hour of hair and makeup. Up to six people are included. Larger groups carry an additional sitting fee: $450 for 7 to 12 people, and $850 for 13 or more. This fee is added to your collection and is not credited.

5. Rescheduling

For medical reasons, including pregnancy, illness, a family member’s health or bereavement, your retainer is held for 12 months from your original sitting date and can be transferred to another chapter or another member of your family. If your baby arrives before a maternity sitting, your commission becomes a newborn sitting.

For any other reason, you may reschedule once with at least 14 days’ notice. Changes with less than 14 days’ notice, or a second reschedule, forfeit the retainer.

If the studio must reschedule, you may choose a new date that suits you, or receive a full refund of your retainer.

6. Your private reveal

Your reveal takes place in person within 7 days of your sitting. You select the portraits for your collection. You may add artwork or move to a larger collection at the reveal. Your collection cannot be reduced below the one chosen at booking.

7. Additional portraits

Additional matted Archive Prints are $225 each when selected at your reveal, or $125 for a duplicate of a portrait already in your folio. Selections made more than 30 days after your reveal are $325 each.

8. Artwork and delivery

Most commissions take 6 to 12 weeks from the first conversation to artwork delivery. Frame, finish and final dimensions are confirmed with you before production. Because each piece is made to order, artwork cannot be returned once production begins. Production flaws are corrected at no charge.

9. Installation

Installation is included with The Heirloom and The Inheritance, and is $195 with The Chapter, within Hamilton to Toronto. Installation beyond this area is quoted separately.

10. Digital copies

Matching digital copies of every portrait purchased as artwork are delivered with your artwork, in full resolution and web size. They are licensed for personal use and sharing, including on social media. Please don’t apply filters or alter the images, and commercial use is not permitted.

11. Copyright and your privacy

TEMI JOHNSON retains copyright in all portraits. Your portraits will not appear in the portfolio, on social media or in advertising without your written consent, which you can give or withdraw at any time. See the Privacy page for how your information is handled.

12. Questions

Contact hello@temijohnson.ca. I reply within 24 hours.

Last updated: October 14, 2026