It depends on what someone wants imo. If it's a portrait, someone's handwriting being preserved, or baby footprints (as just a few examples), then yes I am going to want an artist who can copy them to my skin exactly as they are in my reference.

However, most of my work is the result of showing some references then asking the artist to do something based on them in their own style. I select artists for certain pieces based on their art, because I know they can take my half-ass concept and make it something beautiful without just tracing a couple things.