Reference Photo Guide For Pet Portraits

Choosing a quality reference photo for your painting is the most crucial part of this process so I appreciate your efforts to provide the best possible options!

Photos with bright, natural lighting
Photos that feature the entire head/chest region
Up-close photos that showcase your pet's face
Eye-level composition
Capture their personality

Blurry images
Using "Flash" on your camera
Dark images
Edited/filtered photos
Screenshots of photos
Poor angles
Photos of your animal sleeping

The following section of my guide is to explain the bulleted list above in more detail so you know why it is important to follow these guidelines.

Lighting: This is one of the most important elements of a photo. Well-placed, bright lighting allows me to see the detail in your pet's fur including things like the direction of their fur pattern and coloring. Photos that are lit from behind your pet or that are taken in a dark room will also not make for good references; natural lighting found outdoors is ideal. However, if you can not take photos of your pet outside I recommend opening up the blinds in your home and moving them near a window or door where a light source can shine on your pet's face. Avoid using the "flash" setting on your camera as it will overexpose the image which results in distortion of color and shape. If you are indoors and need more lighting, you can distribute lamps around your pet before taking photos.

The light is shining on her back and not face so the photo is too dark to use.

The light is shining on her face, we can now see the directional pattern of her fur and coloring accurately.

The harsh light shining from under his body instead of onto his face creates a shadow over his eyes.

Natural dispersed light shining on his face is perfect, we can now see his beautiful eye color and shape!

Composition: Your pet is the star so showcase them and not toys, furniture, or other objects that may clutter the photo. Taking photos at their eye level is also important to avoid strange angles that do not portray your pet in a natural-looking position. Let them fill up the frame! Up close and personal is best since this is after all a painting designed to honor your companion and not the objects around them. Photos that are taken from far away and then zoomed in will not have the same quality as photos taken up close. Screenshots of photos will also ruin the quality so please provide the original, unfiltered photos when possible. Choose photos that capture your pet's personality, you know them best! Avoid photos where they are sleeping or laying down, we want the photos to capture their essence when they are awake and energetic.

Her facial expression makes her look stressed or on unrelaxed.

Her facial expression is relaxed, her personality is shining through!

This is a poor angle and the animal is partially cropped out of the frame.

This photo was taken too far from the cat. There is far less detail in it that the approved photo taken with the same phone camera.

She takes up most of the frame and the photo was taken at an eye level angle.

Tips and Tricks: You know your pet best, use what you know about them to aid your photo shoot. Are they food motivated, do they have a favorite toy? Use their favorite things to get their attention when taking photos. Simply put their favorite things near the camera when taking the photos. Sometimes simply calling their name is enough to get their attention, but if not get creative and most importantly, have fun!

For Pets That Have Passed Away: If you are wanting to commission a piece of your beloved pet that is no longer with us, do not fret! I implore you to send as many photos as you can of them, quantity is key here. Sometimes I can mix and match photos to create an optimal image when absolutely necessary. I will do everything in my power to create a beautiful custom painting for you of your furry family member.

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