I was recently commissioned to do a portrait of Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper. Regardless of the subject matter or assignment, I try to approach people with honesty and transparency in my intentions. I need people to be real in front of the camera, which is not always an easy thing to do. It helps to be calm, and it was a very quiet session. It also helps to go out on a limb and be yourself, without pretense or defenses, or some version that seems tailored to the situation. Just be. If you’re lucky, people will return the favor. Which I think he did.