Hi Jnart, thank you for the thoughtful post. This is good information for not only artists to know but people who would commission an artist to do a portrait for them. I've done many commissioned portraits over the years and I still often get poor photos sent to me as a reference. I can, at best, only create a good drawing from it, but never an outstanding one. It thrills me to get a photo that has all the positive elements you listed here. You do good work, both in art and in posts. Keep it up. Upvoted and resteemed!