The ‘Add an Egg’ Principle: Co-Creating a Timeless Portrait
In the 1950s, a major food company released a revolutionary product: the instant cake mix. It was a marvel of convenience, yet it flopped. Homemakers felt it was too easy; there was no sense of contribution, no personal touch. In a stroke of genius, marketers changed one simple instruction: “Just add a fresh egg.” Sales soared.
This story reveals a profound truth about human nature, a psychological principle now known as the “IKEA Effect”: we place a significantly higher value on things we help to create. The effort we invest becomes part of the final product’s worth.
This is the secret ingredient missing from modern “point-and-shoot” photography, and it is the absolute foundation of our studio’s philosophy.
From Passive Subject to Active Patron
A snapshot requires nothing of its subject but a smile. A masterpiece, however, demands collaboration. The historical tradition of portraiture was never a passive experience. Patrons sat for painters for hours, engaging in a deep, collaborative process. Their effort, time, and story were woven into the very fabric of the final artwork.
Our entire process is engineered to return to this meaningful tradition, modernized for today’s world. Your journey with us is not one of being a passive subject but of becoming an active co-creator. Those who understand this, who prepare and engage, are the ones who leave with a true masterpiece.
The KGS Co-Creation Process
Instead of asking you to fill out a form, we build the portrait together, step-by-step.
It begins with the Strategic Consultation, where we discuss clothing, angles, and the story you wish to tell. Then, in the studio, the collaboration becomes tangible. We begin with a single, carefully crafted test pose. Together, we review this “first sketch” on a 50-inch monitor. We analyze what works, what can be improved, and what truly resonates.
This is where the magic happens. Your feedback becomes the “egg.” We refine the pose, adjust the light, and perfect the expression based on our shared consensus, until we both know we have captured a “winner.” This deep involvement is why a portrait from our studio is so powerful. Every detail has been considered, every choice has been deliberate, and your own contribution is visible in the final outcome.
(Insert In-line Image: The behind-the-scenes shot of you with clients at the monitor here)
It’s the crucial difference between a product you purchase and a legacy you help to build.
We invite you to explore our fine art portrait portfolio to see the final results of this unique method.
