I would be asking for my money back

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20978904

This is a depressing painting of a woman in her 40s, having had bad botox and several rowdy children. She worked hard and smokes and drinks. She is grumpy, although clearly making an effort not appear so. She had a makeover for the portrait and her hair is lovely, but her clothing is uninspiring. The portrait is poorly lit and the background dull. The artist also states he changed the colour of her eyes to match the background and blouse, so it is not even a true likeness.

I have 'a friend of a friend' who paid out several hundreds of pounds out to one of these 'photography companies' for one of these portraits. These companies tend to target people on low incomes and sign them up to ridiculous payment plans at hideous rates of interest.

On the day, the photographer turned up with a stylist to do her hair and make-up. He gave her a sort of flashy top that covered her shoulders and in the finished portrait makes it look as if she was wearing an expensive gown. He set up the lighting etc and began snapping away.

My 'friend of a friend' is overwight, bad complexion, two missing teeth and a 'Karl Marlden' nose which is very prominent. She has spots, is quite overweight & is certainly no beauty.

The portrait makes her look twenty years younger, slim, blemish-free, full set of teeth, cute, turned up nose... all in all, a stunner.

If you look even half closely at the portrait, you can see how heavily and inexpertly Photoshopped it is. Loads of cloning to cover up spots. Missing teeth, airbrushed in somehow. It only looks very vaguely like her. A sort of very vague family resemblance.

I think it cost her £700-£800.

I think it looks dire and mocking in a strange sort of way yet she is strangely pleased with the result.

Did not do justice for a very good looking lady.

Think I must be in the minority, I quite like it.

It's a bit weird and spooky looking, but it might be a good portrait, would need to see the real painting and meet Kate to tell. Some people look very different on camera, they are photogenic, a quality highly valued, in our media and tv society. Some celebrities that look good on TV and in photos look dismal, boring and ordinary in real life.