I've worked with clients in the past who have never seen my face in video. Had years long relationships with some of them without ever having seen each other on webcam, and it worked out great on both of our ends.
I even have (ex)founding partners in million$ companies that were sold or still exist who I never saw or spoke to via voice. Only text chat. I also have and had many colleagues I never saw or voice spoke to. Works fine; no one cares on either side.
I would have made it clear that I'd rather not be inconvenienced, and I would also find it insulting that my identity was in question given the publicizing I've done, the publication of my work, how I feel about the quality of my work for said clients and the existing positive relationships with the clients.